Another load of steelhead will be stocked in the Boise River on Tuesday, Nov. 21, the second - and likely - last stocking for the year.
Approximately 150 steelhead were stocked Nov. 16 and a number of anglers have reported tangling with the hard-fighting fish. Another 150 steelhead will be released on Nov. 21, which is lower than in years past and reflects this year's low steelhead return.
The steelhead are trapped at Hells Canyon Dam and will be released at five locations: Glenwood Bridge, Americana Bridge, below the Broadway Avenue Bridge behind Boise State University, at Parkcenter Bridge and at Barber Park.
Anglers hoping to catch a steelhead need a fishing license and a $12.75 steelhead permit. Limits on the Boise River are two steelhead per day, six in possession, and 20 for the fall season. 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). Any steelhead that is being harvested must be killed immediately and recorded on the anglers permit. Otherwise, the fish must be released upon landing. Boise River anglers catching a rainbow trout longer than 20 inches that lacks an adipose fin must consider the fish a steelhead. Any steelhead caught by an angler not holding a steelhead permit must immediately be returned to the water.
For additional information including current seasons and rules, harvest reports, dam counts, and useful instructional videos, go to F&G's steelhead fishing web page.