Steelhead Limits

Steelhead limits for this fall and the coming spring seasons are three daily, nine in possession and 20 for the season. Idaho Fish and Game license vendors have reported some confusion about the limits on the part of anglers, apparently because of the higher limits that were in effect for the last spring season. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission did increase the limits for steelhead for the fall 2003 to three, nine and 20. Steelhead do not live by the calendar year, anadromous program coordinator Bill Horton said. Idaho steelhead that have the urge to spawn in 2004 started their migration back home in the last half of 2003. Remember that they have a minimum of 464 miles to travel, and some may travel as far a 924 miles to reach the stream where they lived as juveniles. So steelhead have a run-year or migration-year from the fall of one year to the spring of the next. Season limits valid for the spring of 2003 do not apply for the fall of this year, Horton said. The steelhead limits for 2004-2005 were set by the Commission at the higher levels of 3, 9, and 20 because of the relatively strong hatchery returns anticipated during the next couple of years. "So go out and enjoy your fishing, but remember your fall limit is 20 steelhead. Starting January 1 you can start on another 20 steelhead season limit for the spring." Horton said.