Steelhead Survey Started

Fish and Game has begun its semi-annual survey of steelhead anglers. The random sample will include 6,146 holders of a steelhead permit in 2002, both residents and nonresidents. Starting December 30 the department mailed a letter to the anglers informing them of the survey, and enclosed a prepaid return mail envelope for them to return the survey if they would rather not respond on the phone. Beginning January 13, department staff will begin calling those steelhead anglers who did not return the letter. The survey will ask if the angler fished for steelhead in the fall of 2002 or not, and if so, where, and how many were caught, harvested or released. The survey also provides the Fish and Game with information about how many days anglers fished in each of the river sections open for steelhead fishing.