Steelhead Harvest Seasons to Open

Steelhead harvest fishing season opens Wednesday, October 15, on the Clearwater River above the Memorial Bridge on U.S. Highway 12 near Lewiston. The fall steelhead harvest seasons on the Clearwater from Memorial Bridge to Clear Creek, on the South Fork from its mouth to the confluence of American and Red rivers, and on the North Fork from its mouth to Dworshak Dam open October 15 and run through December 31. The harvest season opened on the Clearwater downstream of Memorial Bridge on August 1. It opened on the Snake, Salmon and Little Salmon rivers September 1. 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 fall season. Anglers must stop fishing - even catch-and-release - when any of those limits are reached. Steelhead anglers must have a valid Idaho fishing license and steelhead permit. They 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. Steelhead waters that are open, or open October 15 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 between Idaho and Oregon or Washington, an angler with a valid 2008 Idaho fishing license and steelhead permit may fish where the Snake River forms that boundary, 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.