Steelhead Harvest Starts Early on Lower Clearwater

Anglers have been catching and releasing hatchery bred steelhead on lower Clearwater River since the beginning of July. Starting August 1, they can take some home. Idaho Fish and Game is opening the steelhead harvest early on about a two-mile stretch of the river from the mouth to the Highway 12 bridge, also known as the Memorial Bridge, in Lewiston. This is the earliest steelhead harvest opening in many years. Previously, the catch and release season didn't begin until August 1, and the early harvest seasons started September 1. More than 2,400 steelhead have been counted at Lower Granite Dam. Some of them are now sitting in the lower Clearwater, waiting for the Snake River to turn colder before continuing their migration. "These are more than likely Salmon River fish waiting to move," said Bill Horton, salmon and steelhead coordinator for Idaho Fish and Game. "We want to give Clearwater anglers an opportunity to get after some of those early arriving fish that are destined for the Salmon River and other tributaries." Horton expects a good steelhead run this year and he reminds anglers to look for the clipped adipose fin indicating the fish was reared in a hatchery and can be kept. The limits are three per day, nine in possession and 20 for the fall 2004 season. Any steelhead that still has an adipose fin cannot be kept. Other steelhead harvest seasons start as follows: - Clearwater River, South Fork Clearwater River, North Fork Clearwater River below Dworshak Dam, and Middle Fork Clearwater River below Clear Creek - October 15 - Snake and Salmon Rivers - September 1 For regular steelhead counts at Bonneville and Lower Granite dams, visit our website: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov