More Steelhead Coming to the Boise River

Just in time for Thanksgiving, Idaho Fish and Game plans to stock 300 or more steelhead in the Boise River from Glenwood Bridge to Barber Park Tuesday afternoon November 24. Anglers hoping to tangle with one of the 4- to 10-pound hatchery steelhead need a 2009 fishing license and a $12.75 steelhead permit, good for 40 fish. Though required in other steelhead waters, barbless hooks are not required for Boise River steelhead angling. All steelhead stocked in the Boise River will lack an adipose fin - the small fin normally found immediately behind the dorsal fin. Boise River anglers catching a rainbow trout longer than 20 inches that lacks an adipose fin should consider the fish a steelhead. Any steelhead caught by an angler not holding a steelhead permit must immediately be returned to the water. Steelhead limits on the Boise River are three fish per day, nine in possession, and 40 for the fall season. The fish are A-run hatchery steelhead, returning Idaho Power Co.'s Oxbow Hatchery fish trap below Hells Canyon Dam on the Snake River. Many of the returning steelhead will become part of the ongoing steelhead hatchery program at Oxbow Hatchery as part of Idaho Power's mitigation. "We are happy to collaborate with Idaho Fish and Game this year to bring steelhead to Treasure Valley anglers," said Paul Abbott, Idaho Power biologist. "The best thing about this program is that it eliminates the need for folks to travel to the Snake or Salmon rivers to catch steelhead. Boise anglers will have the opportunity to test their skills right in their own backyard." For information about the Boise River steelhead release, contact the Fish and Game in Nampa at 208-465-8465 or check the Web site at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov.