Think About Steelhead Fishing Soon

Steelhead anglers have enjoyed an outstanding fall fishery so far and those who have not had a chance to go might want to plan a trip before winter weather shuts them out. About 200,000 steelhead have crossed over Lower Granite Dam. Recent creel counts show good steelhead fishingÑ20 or fewer hours per fishÑin several of the more popular stretches of river. The Lower Clearwater was averaging seven hours per fish, the Salmon up to Riggins averaging eight hours per fish, 14 hours to Vinegar Creek on the Salmon, 10 hours up to the South Fork of the Salmon, 13 hours at North Fork and eight hours on the Little Salmon. The recent cold snap, with record cold nights in many areas of Idaho, brought ice to the Salmon River near North Fork. This was the only October ice in memory in that stretch of the Salmon. Cold water usually slows steelhead fishing shortly after Thanksgiving. But until then, most popular spots should fish well. Even when the weather closes in on the upper elevations, lower stretches of the Salmon, Clearwater, and Snake often keep active fisheries. Hatchery steelhead have been transported to the Boise River in Boise and the Payette River below Black Canyon Dam near Emmett. Those steelhead are excess to hatchery rearing programs and are made available to anglers in more urban areas. About 700 fish have been added to the Boise River with about 300 more on the way. About 50 were placed in the Payette where catch by anglers is historically low. Steelhead anglers need a fishing license as well as a steelhead tag for any area including the Boise and Payette Rivers. Barbless hooks are not required on the Boise or Payette because no wild fish are present. However, everywhere else, barbless hooks are required and all steelhead that have an adipose fin must be returned immediately to the water unharmed. The limits were increased by the Fish and Game Commission in October at 3 per day, 9 in possession, and 40 for the season (with the purchase of a second permit, otherwise 20 for the season).