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Idaho Fish and Game

Steelhead Harvest Season Open on the Clearwater

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Steelhead catch-and-keep fishing season is now open on the Clearwater, Snake, Salmon and Little Salmon rivers. The harvest season opened on some river segments October 15, some opened September 1, and some have been open since August 1. The fall harvest season continues through December 31.Check the 2008-2009 fishing rules book for river segments open to steelhead fishing. The steelhead limit on the Clearwater is two fish per day, six in possession and 20 for the fall season. Elsewhere, the limit is three per day, nine in possession and 20 for the season. Once these possession limits are reached, the angler must stop fishing, even catch and release. Anglers must have a valid Idaho fishing license and steelhead permit. Steelhead anglers may use only barbless hooks, and may keep only hatchery steelhead marked with a clipped adipose fin. All other steelhead must be released unharmed immediately. Waters open for steelhead harvest are:
  • Salmon River from its mouth upstream to the posted boundary 100 yards downstream from the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery weir, near the town of Stanley.
  • Little Salmon River from its mouth upstream to the U.S. Highway 95 bridge near Smokey Boulder Road.
  • Snake River from the Washington state line at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.
  • Clearwater River mainstem 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.
In the boundary waters on the Snake River between Idaho and Oregon or Washington, an angler with a valid 2008 Idaho fishing license and steelhead permit may fish where the river forms the boundary between Idaho and Oregon or Washington, but may not fish from the shoreline, including wading, and may not fish in sloughs or tributaries on the Oregon or Washington side. An angler may have only the limit allowed by one license regardless of the number of licenses the angler holds. Consult 2008-2009 fishing rules brochure for exceptions and special restrictions. For more information on steelhead fishing in Idaho, check the Fish and Game Website http://fishandgame.idaho.gov.