Steelhead Season Opens

The Idaho fall steelhead fishing season has started on the Clearwater River and opens September 1 on most other steelhead waters. The fall steelhead season runs through December 31. Steelhead numbers are expected to be slightly less than last year's return. The fall steelhead catch-and-release season opened July 1 on the Clearwater River. The fall harvest season opened August 1 on the lower Clearwater River from the mouth upstream to the U.S. Highway 12 Memorial Bridge. But anglers may not keep any steelhead upstream from the U.S. Highway 12 Memorial Bridge until October 15. The fall season opens September 1 on the Salmon River, the Little Salmon River, and the Snake River downstream from Hells Canyon Dam. All anglers fishing for steelhead, even catch-and-release, must have a valid 2007 fishing license and steelhead permit. Statewide limits for steelhead are three per day, nine in possession, and 20 for the season, except for the Clearwater River system where the limits are two fish per day, six in possession, and 20 for the season. Steelhead anglers must stop fishing when the possession limit is reached - even catch-and-release. Anglers must use barbless hooks, and can keep only hatchery steelhead marked with a clipped adipose fin. All other steelhead must be released unharmed immediately. Waters open for steelhead on September 1 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 Clearwater River 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. ¥ Boise and Payette rivers and the Snake River above Hells Canyon Dam are open for steelhead only when stocked by Fish and Game. On these waters, a steelhead permit is required to fish for and keep steelhead, defined as a rainbow trout longer than 20 inches with a clipped adipose fin. No steelhead have been stocked yet this year. Boundary Waters on the Snake River between Idaho and Oregon or Washington: An angler with a valid 2007 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 2006-2007 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.