Steelhead Trout

Fisheries biologists use funny words sometimes when describing a fish’s life. So, what exactly is a smolt? In practical terms, a smolt is a young salmon or trout that is moving from freshwater to the ocean, but there's a lot to know about this important transition that allows small, young fish to go to the ocean and later return as full-size adults. 

Steelhead anglers volunteer to catch steelhead for the South Fork Clearwater River steelhead hatcheries. Idaho Fish and Game reached the goal of capturing over 500 adults to use as broodstock to produce 1.4 million juveniles to be released back into the South Fork Clearwater River. This video is part of a series on the South Fork Clearwater River Hatchery Steelhead Program.