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.

Notice: Steelhead fishing continues

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

Steelhead smolt transportation season is underway

Thursday, April 18, 2019 - 7:49 AM MDT

The spring 2019 steelhead fishing season is winding down, but Fish and Game staff is releasing 5.75 million young steelhead into Idaho's rivers for their downstream migration to the Pacific, which will be the next generation of fish returning to Idaho.

Magic Valley Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
April 15: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Monday, April 15, 2019 - 12:37 PM MDT

Over the week of April 8th, the majority of steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River was located upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19. Angler effort in areas downstream of the East Fork was low.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
April 8: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Monday, April 8, 2019 - 10:32 AM MDT

During the week of April 1, the majority of steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River was located either near the Pahsimeroi River confluence or upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19. Angler effort downstream of Salmon was minimal and no angler interviews were obtained.

Steelhead Fishing Salmon Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
April 1: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Monday, April 1, 2019 - 1:55 PM MDT

During the week of March 25, steelhead angler effort continued to shift upstream of Salmon with the majority of anglers observed near the Pahsimeroi River confluence and upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
March 25: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Monday, March 25, 2019 - 2:42 PM MDT

During the week of March 18, steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River began shifting upstream to the Ellis and Challis, ID areas. Effort upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19 remained light, but anglers were beginning to fish this area.

Steelhead Fishing Salmon Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Project opens access to seven miles of Steelhead spawning habitat

Thursday, March 21, 2019 - 3:15 PM MDT

After more than 42 years steelhead once again have access to seven miles of historic habitat thanks to habitat restoration efforts in the Potlatch River system.

Clearwater Region Steelhead Fishing Wild Salmon and Steelhead Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
March 18: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Monday, March 18, 2019 - 11:12 AM MDT

Steelhead angler effort increased throughout the upper Salmon River over the past week.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)