Steelhead Fishing | Idaho Fish and Game

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

Steelhead fishing continues uninterrupted with two new area closures

Friday, December 7, 2018 - 7:46 PM MST

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Friday, Dec. 7 approved an agreement to keep most steelhead seasons open, but steelhead fishing in two areas closed effective 11:59 p.m. Dec. 7.

Steelhead Fishing Steelhead fishing rules Clearwater Region Southwest Region Salmon Region Panhandle Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Steelhead will be released into Boise River Nov. 21

Friday, November 16, 2018 - 3:24 PM MST

Stocking the Boise River with steelhead started in 1983, and adult hatchery steelhead have been stocked in the river every year since 1998.

Steelhead Fishing Steelhead fishing rules Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Fish and Game Commission suspends steelhead fishing due to threatened lawsuit

Wednesday, November 14, 2018 - 12:00 PM MST

Please Note: This press release is no longer current. Please review the most recent actions taken to reopen steelhead fishing in Idaho.

Steelhead Fishing Steelhead fishing rules Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Clearwater Region Steelhead creel update 10/22/18 to 10/28/18

Tuesday, October 30, 2018 - 3:36 PM MDT

Hi everybody. The Clearwater Region's steelhead creel data from 10/22/18 to 10/28/18 is summarized below.

Steelhead Fishing Clearwater Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Lower Granite Dam Fisheries Research

Friday, October 26, 2018 - 5:18 PM MDT

Lower Granite Dam Fisheries Research Idaho Department of Fish and Game

Clearwater Region Steelhead Fishing Chinook Salmon Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri) Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Oct. 9: Idaho steelhead update from fisheries manager Joe DuPont

Tuesday, October 9, 2018 - 3:06 PM MDT

With steelhead harvest season opening Oct.15 on the Clearwater River, anglers are reminded that Idaho Fish and Game is continuing the one-fish bag limit for hatchery steelhead until Dec. 31 in order to continue reduced harvest on hatchery steelhead and protect wild steelhead.

Steelhead Fishing Steelhead fishing rules Clearwater Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
F&G assumes management of Hagerman steelhead hatchery

Tuesday, October 9, 2018 - 9:26 AM MDT

Idaho Fish and Game recently reached an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assume operations of the Hagerman National Fish Hatchery, which raises about 1.6 million juvenile steelhead for release in the Upper Salmon River Basin.

Steelhead Fishing Magic Valley Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)

Current Steelhead Fishing Status:

Please visit the steelhead seasons and rules page to keep up with current changes to steelhead seasons

Videos

Basic Steelhead Fishing Gear

Spring Steelhead on the Salmon River

Frequently Asked Questions

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