Steelhead Fishing

Steelhead are large, ocean-going rainbow trout native to Idaho and the northwest region. When adult steelhead leave the ocean and swim back to Idaho, they create one of the state’s most amazing fishing opportunities.

Starting in August and for the next 9 months, anglers can fish for adult hatchery steelhead in Idaho’s rivers. Fishing is best on the lower sections of the Clearwater, Snake and Salmon rivers in the fall. As steelhead continue to migrate upstream anglers will find them in the South Fork Clearwater, Little Salmon and upper Salmon rivers. Steelhead are sometimes released into other waters, like the Boise River, to provide additional fishing opportunities.

News

March 8: Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report

4 hours 8 min ago

Steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River increased substantially during the past week. Angler effort increased in all location codes, and the majority of anglers were observed fishing between the Middle Fork Salmon and Pahsimeroi rivers in location codes 15, 16, and 17.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout
Catching fish for the future: F&G needs anglers to provide more steelhead for hatchery broodstock

Friday, February 26, 2021 - 2:18 PM MST

Brood collection has started to pick up, but Fish and Game needs 252 breeding pairs from the South Fork of the Clearwater River to meet its goal of providing adult steelhead for its hatchery program. So far, with the help of over 130 anglers, they caught and held in tubes 49 steelhead and sent 41 of those to the hatchery (26 females and 15 males).

Clearwater Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Seasons and Rules Steelhead Trout
Feb. 22: Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 - 9:01 AM MST

Angler effort over the weekend was low, and the majority of interviews were obtained in location code 17 between the Lemhi and Pahsimeroi rivers. No interviews were obtained from downstream of the Middle Fork Salmon River in location code 14. Upstream of the Middle Fork in location code 15, interviewed anglers averaged 27 hours per steelhead caught.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout
Spring steelhead anglers: Remember reduced steelhead bag limits

Tuesday, February 16, 2021 - 4:26 PM MST

Daily bag limits for the 2021 spring season are two daily and six in possession statewide.

Steelhead Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Panhandle Region Clearwater Region Magic Valley Region Southwest Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Salmon Region Steelhead Seasons and Rules
Spring offers big steelhead fishing opportunities in smaller rivers

Tuesday, February 16, 2021 - 4:12 PM MST

Steelhead make their final push to the headwaters of Idaho’s famous steelhead streams during spring, which concentrates them in the upper tributaries of the Clearwater and Salmon river systems.

Steelhead Fishing Southwest Region Clearwater Region Salmon Region Steelhead Trout
Anglers needed to collect steelhead broodstock on the South Fork Clearwater River

Monday, February 8, 2021 - 10:23 AM MST

Once again, Idaho Fish and Game is asking anglers to catch adult steelhead from the South Fork Clearwater River that will be used for hatchery spawners. Through early April, Fish and Game staff will be on the river from dawn to dusk, seven days a week, distributing tubes at popular fishing holes and signing up anglers interested in participating in the program.

Wild Salmon and Steelhead Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Seasons and Rules Fishing Seasons and Rules Steelhead Trout
Catching steelhead in Idaho’s capital city, survey shows anglers catch most of the stocked steelhead

Thursday, February 4, 2021 - 1:16 PM MST

The primary purpose of moving hatchery steelhead to the lower Boise River is to create additional fishing opportunity for anglers. How many of those steelhead are actually caught is a question Fish and Game has tried to previously answer numerous times using various methods, and a recent study confirmed a high proportion of Boise River steelhead are harvested, and the program is achieving its goal.

Southwest Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout