Steelhead Come to the Boise

Get the big gear ready; steelhead will be released into the Boise River November 3. Anglers have been waiting all this fall in the hope there would be enough hatchery steelhead returning to Idaho to allow releasing some into the Boise River. Fish and Game has to wait until it is evident that hatchery needs will be met before excess steelhead can be trucked from the Idaho Power hatchery at Hells Canyon to the Boise River. About 200 of the big anadromous trout will be released in the usual places from Glenwood Bridge to Barber Park. Anglers must have a fishing license and steelhead tag. The limits are two steelhead per day, four in possession and 10 for the season. Barbed hooks are allowed for fishing the Boise River because no wild steelhead live in the river. Last year, the Oxbow hatchery provided 202 steelhead to the Boise, 217 into Hells Canyon Reservoir and 266 to the Little Salmon.