Spring Steelhead Seasons Still Open

It's not too late to hook into a tasty Idaho steelhead. The spring harvest season closes March 31 on part of the Salmon River from the Lake Creek Bridge to Long Tom Creek - three-quarters of a mile upstream from the Middle Fork Salmon River. The spring steelhead season continues through April 30 in most other steelhead waters, except the Little Salmon River, which stays open until May 15. Open waters include:

• Snake River from the Washington state line at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.
• Clearwater River main stem and Middle Fork from its mouth upstream to Clear Creek.
• North Fork Clearwater River from its mouth upstream to Dworshak Dam.
• South Fork Clearwater River from its mouth upstream to the confluence of American and Red Rivers.
• Salmon River from its mouth upstream to the posted boundary 100 yards downstream of the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery weir near Stanley. Except the reach from the Lake Creek Bridge to Long Tom Creek.

Spring steelhead limits are three fish per day and nine in possession with no more than 20 fish for the season. Once limits are reached, the angler must stop fishing, even catch-and-release. Steelhead anglers may use only barbless hooks, and may keep only hatchery steelhead marked with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar. All other steelhead must be released immediately. Anglers are reminded to consult the 2011-2012 fishing rules book for special restrictions and limits. A valid 2011 fishing license and a steelhead permit are required to fish for steelhead.