Steelhead ÔNo-Harvest Season' Off To A Good Start

With hot weather firmly entrenching the Clearwater region, steelhead anglers may be surprised to learn that steelhead have already been moving rapidly up the Columbia and Snake rivers, and into the Clearwater River. As a result, many anglers have already discovered the excitement of the earlier than normal no-harvest opportunities on the lower Clearwater River. The steelhead no-harvest season opened August 1. "The normal peak of no-harvest fishing is mid to late September, so these early fish are a bonus opportunity," said Larry Barrett, senior fisheries technician for IDFG. "The lower Clearwater should be great fishing for these early arrivals." According to Barrett, steelhead migrating up the Salmon and Snake rivers seem to be attracted to the cooler water of the lower Clearwater River, and will hold up temporarily before swimming to their final destination. Of the 200,000 steelhead expected to cross Lower Granite Dam this summer and fall, 166,000 should make up the early returning A-run fish that swim to the Snake, Salmon, Grande Ronde and Imnaha rivers, and 34,000 should be the larger B-run steelhead that return to the Clearwater and Salmon rivers. IDFG reminds anglers that bait is permitted, but all steelhead caught above the Memorial Bridge on the Clearwater River prior to the opening of the regular catch-and-keep season of October 15, must be released immediately. Barbless hooks are required, and steelhead anglers must have a valid Idaho steelhead permit and fishing license to participate. Hatchery steelhead, identifiable by the absence of an adipose fin on their back, can be kept in the Snake and Salmon rivers, and the lower Clearwater River below the Memorial Bride starting September 1.