Ask Fish and Game: Fishing in Steelhead Water
idfg-mcoleman
Q. Can I fish in steelhead water if I'm not fishing for steelhead?
A. Yes, and you don't need a permit. But any steelhead caught must be released unharmed immediately, and you could be cited if you're fishing with steelhead gear. A steelhead is a rainbow trout more than 20 inches long in steelhead waters.