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

F&G Commission extends reduced steelhead bag limits into spring 2021 season

Tuesday, November 24, 2020 - 9:43 AM MST

During their meeting on Friday, Nov. 20 Idaho Fish and Game Commission extended the reduced bag and possession limits adopted last fall for steelhead into the 2021 spring steelhead season. The spring steelhead season begins on Jan. 1. Statewide, the daily bag limits for spring 2021 seasons are two steelhead daily and six in possession.

Steelhead Seasons and Rules Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
More Steelhead Bound for the Boise River

Tuesday, November 24, 2020 - 8:55 AM MST

The steelhead are coming… again.

Southwest Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Steelhead to be Stocked in the Boise River

Friday, November 13, 2020 - 8:57 AM MST

The steelhead are coming.

Southwest Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Nov. 9 Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Tuesday, November 10, 2020 - 8:30 AM MST

Steelhead anglers on the upper Salmon River continued to have success during the past week. The highest amount of angler effort was observed during the weekdays, downstream of Salmon, in river location codes 15 and 16. Angler effort between the Lemhi and Pahsimeroi rivers in location code 17 increased, but remained low compared to other areas.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
The A’s and B’s of steelhead, what do those terms mean?

Monday, November 9, 2020 - 9:36 AM MST

Anglers fishing for steelhead in the Snake River basin, particularly the Clearwater River, often hear the terms A-run, B-run or A-Index, B-Index steelhead but what exactly do those terms mean? The terms A and B are unique to steelhead management in the Columbia and Snake river basins and does not classify specific populations.

Wild Salmon and Steelhead Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Seasons and Rules Clearwater Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Juvenile steelhead removed at Magic Valley Hatchery

Thursday, October 22, 2020 - 12:34 PM MDT

In response to detection of IHN virus, Fish and Game hatchery staff at Magic Valley Fish Hatchery removed approximately 96,000 juvenile B-run steelhead from production. The IHN virus is not uncommon in southern Idaho fish, but the strain of the virus detected in the fish at the Magic Valley Hatchery is not known to be native to the area.

Steelhead Fishing
Will steelhead be stocked in the Boise River? We will know in early November

Wednesday, October 21, 2020 - 1:56 PM MDT

Every fall (and as early as late summer) phones start ringing at Idaho Fish and Game offices with anglers asking the same question: When are you stocking steelhead in the Boise River? The short answer is we don’t know yet when, or if, it will occur because we’re waiting to see how many fish return to the trap at Hells Canyon Dam.

Steelhead Fishing