What is a Steelhead?

Steelhead are native rainbow trout, which migrate to the ocean as juvenile fish and return to fresh water as adults to spawn.  In Idaho these ocean-going trout are often classified into two groups, A-run and B-run, based on their size and ocean life history.

A-run and B-run Steelhead

Idaho's A-run steelhead are usually found in the Snake and Salmon rivers. They return from the ocean earlier in the year (usually June through August) and they most often return after spending one year in the ocean. Because of their early return and short stay in the ocean they usually weigh 4 to 6 pounds and are generally 23 to 26 inches in length.

The B-run steelhead most often return to the Clearwater River, but some return to tributaries in the Salmon River. These fish usually spend two years in the ocean and start their migration to Idaho later in the summer or fall of the year (usually late August or September). Because of the extra year and the extra summer of growing in the ocean, they return as much bigger fish. Average B-run steelhead weigh between 10 and 13 pounds and are 31 to 34 inches long.

Steelhead grow even larger when they spend a third year in the ocean before they return to Idaho to spawn. These steelhead are usually larger than 37 inches and often weigh more than 20 pounds.

The Idaho state record steelhead was 30 pounds and 2 ounces and was caught in the Clearwater River in 1973.

Fishing Overview

Adult steelhead start swimming into Idaho waters each July. Beginning in August and for the next nine months anglers pursue hatchery steelhead as they migrate up the Snake, Clearwater and Salmon Rivers. Steelhead fishing winds down by the end of May as the fish reach their spawning grounds in Idaho's mountain streams and hatcheries.

When and Where to Fish for Steelhead

Because steelhead are in so many places in the state over such a long period of time, it's really hard to say there is a best time and place to go steelhead fishing. If an angler has a chance to follow the run upstream, the best time could be any month from July or August through May.

• July to December: The first part of each year's fall/spring steelhead run starts swimming into the state in July and the Clearwater River seasons open then (most areas for catch and release fishing, be sure to check the regulations.)  As the run builds, fishing gets better and catch rates can be pretty good all the way through to December.  Colder water does slow down fish activity though.

  Snake River fishing is probably best in September and October.  Fishing can be good through December, but most of that is accessed only by boat.

  The Salmon River is farther upstream and doesn't start fishing good until usually in October in the lower and mid-reaches but anglers can be catching fish all the way to Salmon by the end of October. It's the same as the other rivers. As the water temperature gets colder the fish are less active and bite less but they are still there and do bite.

• January to May: January and February can be times to fish with a little more solitude. The days are shorter and colder and there are fewer anglers out but the fish are out there and can be caught. Things start to pick up again in mid to late February.

  The Salmon River upstream of Salmon, the Little Salmon River and the South Fork Clearwater all provide the best fishing in spring - March, April and May for those areas that stay open until then. Catch rates can be really good then; the fish are stacking into the smaller rivers at the end of their migration.

The best time to fish steelhead is a matter of personal choice. - the long days of September on the lower Clearwater, a warm October day in the Salmon River canyon, a colder January day in a drift boat near Riggins or Orofino, or enjoying the spring thaw in the Stanley Basin in April. Each month of the year and each location provides a completely different fishing experience.

Angling Techniques

Steelhead respond to a variety of angling techniques such as plunking, bobber & jig, fly fishing, side planer and spey casting. Since steelhead are not feeding as they wait to spawn, the angler pesters the steelhead enough to get it to strike. They're aggressive and will take a variety of bait, lures, and flies. Some anglers prefer plugs, shrimp or fresh roe (fish eggs.)

Life History

Steelhead spawn in streams from mid-April to late June. They use areas of gravel, or cobble, depending on the size of the fish. The female selects a place in a riffle area below a pool to dig a redd (nest). She displaces the gravel with her body and tail, and the male fertilizes the eggs as they are deposited. The female covers the eggs with gravel by continuing upstream and the current carries the gravel over the eggs.

The eggs hatch in early to midsummer. The young fish live in the stream and migrate to the ocean, usually after two years of rearing in the stream. The juvenile fish that migrate to the ocean will grow rapidly.

When they mature and are ready to spawn, the steelhead migrate back to the place they were born. They enter the lower river drainages in the fall (Sept.-Oct.) and winter over to spawn the following spring, which allows a fall and spring fishing season. Most require 3 to 5 years to mature.

Feeding Habits

Steelhead trout eat insects and zooplankton in the water or on the surface. They will also feed on small fish and fish eggs. As they get larger, they will eat larger fish. Adult steelhead holding in the river prior to spawning do not eat much, but will strike at food or lures.