Steelhead Anglers Enjoy Success

As river conditions improve, so does fishing success. Recent angler surveys conducted by Fish and Game showed catch rates to be 11 hours per fish caught on the main Clearwater River near Orofino, and 13 hours per fish caught on the North Fork of the Clearwater River. "Fishing can be dynamite after a high water event," Lewiston fisheries biologist Larry Barrett said. "This usually causes fish to move upstream and become more active." According to Barrett, fishing on the Salmon River near Riggins is good and should stay that way through spring if the river stays clear. But fishing success was best on the South Fork of Clearwater above Kooskia, with catch rates at five hours per fish caught. The fish per hour catch rates on the Little Salmon and the Lower Salmon River were also in single digits. All anglers, especially those fishing the Little Salmon River and South Fork Clearwater River, are reminded that they can expect to catch some steelhead with eroded dorsal and pectoral fins, but have intact adipose fins. Many anglers will recognize these fish as a hatchery fish, but with an intact adipose fin, they must be released unharmed. These unmarked fish are part of a continued experiment to test if stocking large numbers of smolts in a drainage can boost natural populations of steelhead. "Having to release an obvious hatchery fish may seem puzzling, but there will be benefits to both the wild and hatchery steelhead that return to Idaho," Barrett said. Steelhead anglers are also reminded to bend down their hook barbs and release all steelhead with adipose fins. Anglers should also note that for the 2003 spring season, steelhead limits have been increased to three per day, nine in possession; and with the purchase of a second steelhead permit, anglers can keep 40 per season. All other rules and season regulations remain the same and can be reviewed in the 2002-2003 Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules brochure.