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

Fall Chinook and Steelhead Weekend Report (9/19/16)

Fishing effort for the fall Chinook fishery picked up this week in the confluence (river sect. 01) and mouth to Memorial Bridge (river sect. 03/Mouth to Memorial Bridge). Catch rates were poor in both sections and we did not document any Chinook harvested in the Clearwater section.

Steelhead Fishing Chinook Salmon Fishing Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Steelhead and Fall Chinook Weekend Report (9/12/16)

The Fall Chinook fishery was very slow this past week on the Clearwater. We did not document any harvest and only had one reported release of a wild fish. The Confluence (creel section 1) only documented 4 adult hatchery Chinook and 3 Hatchery Jacks harvested. The attached picture is two of those adults harvested.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Steelhead Fishing Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Fall Chinook, steelhead seasons open Sept. 1 for ocean-fresh fish

Fall chinook and steelhead seasons open Sept. 1, and the forecast is for an above-average chinook run and an average steelhead run. It’s early in the run for both fish, and the numbers can change quickly as these migratory fish leave the ocean and swim upstream to Idaho.

Steelhead Fishing Chinook Salmon Fishing Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Weekly Clearwater Steelhead Report (8/25/16)

Angler effort is focusing predominantly from the mouth of the Clearwater to the Clearwater Paper Mill on river section 03. Boats are trolling and drifting using bare plugs. Most shore effort in the catch and keep section (Mouth to Memorial Bridge) is focused around the waste treatment plant. Many shore anglers are bobber fishing with shrimp.

Steelhead Fishing Fishing
The Ramp Masters - People Behind the Scene Who Make Fishing Great

Fishing can be fantastic, but if you can't get to the water to wet-a-line; it's all for not. There are many "faces" most anglers don't see or think about when going fishing - but they are vital to having a quality fishing experience. People like our Engineers and Construction Crew are just as important as the biologists when it comes to the sport of fishing.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Fishing Clearwater Region Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)
Weekly Clearwater Steelhead Report (8/14/16)

This week angler effort along the Clearwater has increased with anglers concentrating their efforts close to the Camas Prairie Railroad Bridge where anglers have been harvesting steelhead through the use of shrimp being floated under bobbers by shore anglers and boat anglers using a variety of lures.

Steelhead Fishing Fishing
Idaho's wild steelhead are a diverse bunch

Steelhead fisheries in Idaho are world class, and the fact that anglers can fish for steelhead from July through April means there is lots of time to enjoy this resource. The fact that we can enjoy these long fishing seasons is due in part to Idaho’s hatchery program that produces lots of fish for anglers to catch and keep.

Steelhead Fishing

Videos

Basic Steelhead Fishing Gear

Steelhead Fishing

Videos

Frequently Asked Questions