Steelhead Trout

April 15: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Over the week of April 8th, the majority of steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River was located upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19. Angler effort in areas downstream of the East Fork was low.

Anglers interviewed downstream of the Pahsimeroi River in location code 17 averaged 18 hours per steelhead caught, and anglers interviewed upstream of the Pahsimeroi River in location code 18 averaged 20 hours per steelhead caught. Upstream of the East Fork in location code 19, interviewed anglers averaged 4 hours per steelhead caught.

Steelhead to be stocked in Blue Mountain and Kids Creek ponds

Personnel from Fish and Game's Pahsimeroi Hatchery will release 100 steelhead each in Blue Mountain Pond and Kids Creek Pond by Thursday, April 11.

Steelhead smolt transportation season is underway

The spring 2019 steelhead fishing season is winding down, but Fish and Game staff is releasing 5.75 million young steelhead into Idaho's rivers for their downstream migration to the Pacific, which will be the next generation of fish returning to Idaho. 

April 8: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

During the week of April 1, the majority of steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River was located either near the Pahsimeroi River confluence or upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19. Angler effort downstream of Salmon was minimal and no angler interviews were obtained.

See comments and details about Idaho's steelhead Fishery Management Plan

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game received authorization for its steelhead fishery from the National Marine Fisheries Service in March, which determined that Idaho’s Fishery Management and Evaluation Plan provides the necessary protection for salmon and steelhead listed under the Endangered Species Act. 

Fish and Game officials reviewed over 1,000 comments that were received during the public comment period on the plan and identified 15 issues. They included: 

April 1: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

During the week of March 25, steelhead angler effort continued to shift upstream of Salmon with the majority of anglers observed near the Pahsimeroi River confluence and upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19.

March 25: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

During the week of March 18, steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River began shifting upstream to the Ellis and Challis, ID areas. Effort upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19 remained light, but anglers were beginning to fish this area.

Project opens access to seven miles of Steelhead spawning habitat

After more than 42 years steelhead once again have access to seven miles of historic habitat thanks to habitat restoration efforts in the Potlatch River system.

March 18: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Steelhead angler effort increased throughout the upper Salmon River over the past week.

Once again angler effort and catch was highest downstream of North Fork in location code 15, although effort and catch increased in all the upriver location codes as well. The number of drift boats increased during the week, with the majority of boats observed near Salmon, ID or upstream near the Pahsimeroi River confluence.

F&G receives federal steelhead permit and fishing continues

Idaho Fish and Game on March 15 received federal reauthorization for its steelhead fishing season, so fishing will continue uninterrupted, and the two areas currently closed will reopen immediately. 

Steelhead fishing resumes in the following locations: 

• The Main Salmon River between Warren Creek and the Copper Mine Boat Ramp. 
• South Fork of Clearwater River upstream of the Mount Idaho Grade Bridge. 

Per Fish and Game director’s order, bag limits for steelhead anglers will remain as follows: