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

Fishing with the Crowd

Thursday, May 4, 2017 - 1:46 PM MDT

The video "Angler Etiquette: Fishing with the Crowd" covers commonly held practices in the fishing community when it comes to fishing around others and avoiding potential conflicts.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Steelhead Fishing Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (5/1/17)

Monday, May 1, 2017 - 11:06 AM MDT

The spring 2017 steelhead season on the upper Salmon River closed at the end of Sunday, April 30th.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (4/24/17)

Tuesday, April 25, 2017 - 9:43 AM MDT

Steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River dropped over the past week, but catch rates were good for this late in the season. The majority of anglers were observed fishing in location code 19 near Stanley, ID.

Steelhead Fishing Fishing Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Spring Steelhead Journey

Wednesday, April 19, 2017 - 2:45 PM MDT

During the waning days of spring, steelhead anglers like Kahle Becker find their version of paradise on the upper Salmon River in Idaho.

Steelhead Fishing Fishing Salmon Region Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (4/17/17)

Monday, April 17, 2017 - 1:24 PM MDT

Steelhead anglers on the upper Salmon River continued having success over the past week. The area with the highest effort and best catch rates was upstream of the Yankee Fork in location code 19. Anglers interviewed in location code 19 averaged 14 hours per steelhead caught and 55 hours per steelhead kept.

Steelhead Fishing Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report 4/4/17)

Tuesday, April 4, 2017 - 9:51 AM MDT

Steelhead fishing improved again this week on the upper Salmon River. The majority of angling effort was observed either near the Pahsimeroi confluence or upstream of the East Fork in location code 19. Effort in other areas of the river was low.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing
Clearwater River Steelhead Fishing Update

Tuesday, March 28, 2017 - 3:20 PM MDT

The few anglers fishing from boats on the main stem of the Clearwater River (03) are fishing right around the Dworshak National Fish Hatchery and the shore anglers are fishing at the pole yard. The catch rate for the few anglers interviewed were good.

Steelhead Fishing Clearwater Region