Big Steelhead Run Leads to Higher Limits

Steelhead limits have been raised to allow anglers to take advantage of another excellent run. The action came at the Fish and Game Commission quarterly meeting in Pocatello, October 4. For the fall season, anglers may keep three hatchery steelhead per day, have nine in possession and keep 40 for the season if they buy a second 20-fish permit. Anadromous fisheries coordinator Bill Horton said, "Éthe fall fishing season is shaping up to potentially be another great one. More than 100,000 steelhead have crossed Lower Granite Dam. Last year is the only other time since Lower Granite was built that so many steelhead have returned so early." Horton cautioned that lots of fish can lead to situations that make steelheading less than the pleasant experience it can be. "Please be courteous and safe while out there, and remember that you cannot keep just any big fish you catch. Only adipose-clipped steelhead are legal to keep." Anglers are urged to read the 2002-2003 Fishing Rules (pages 57-59) for information. Some fall chinook and coho salmon may be caught while steelhead fishing. All salmon must be released immediately, unharmed, back into the water (even if they are missing the adipose fin). Page 63 of the fishing rules has photos to help anglers identify the differences in these fish. Also, some steelhead will appear to the seasoned angler as obvious hatchery fish, but the fishing rules only allow for those steelhead that had their adipose fin removed when they were juveniles in the hatchery to be kept.