CLEARWATER TRIBUNE HOME

November 4, 2010

Steelhead harvest season continues

By Ed Mitchell, IDFG

   Steelhead harvest fishing season is still open, and though the fall Chinook season has closed in Idaho waters, there is still plenty of exciting fishing left.

   The steelhead harvest season is open on the Clearwater River, the Salmon, the Little Salmon and the lower Snake rivers.

   The steelhead limit on the Snake, Salmon and Little Salmon is three per day and nine in possession. The limit on the Clearwater is two fish per day and six in possession. Anglers may keep 20 steelhead for the season. Once limits are reached, the angler must stop fishing, even catch-and-release.

   Anglers must have a valid Idaho fishing license and steelhead permit. They must stop fishing when the possession limit is reached - even catch-and-release. Steelhead anglers may use only barbless hooks, and may keep only hatchery steelhead marked with a clipped adipose fin. All other steelhead must be released unharmed immediately.

   In the boundary waters on the Snake River between Idaho and Oregon or Washington, an angler with a valid 2010 Idaho fishing license and steelhead permit may fish where the river forms the boundary between Idaho and Oregon or Washington, but may not fish from the shoreline, including wading, and may not fish in sloughs or tributaries on the Oregon or Washington side. An angler may have only the limit allowed by one license regardless of the number of licenses the angler holds.

   For more information on steelhead fishing in Idaho, check the Fish and Game Website http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/fish/steelhead/.

   Waters open for steelhead harvest are:

·   Clearwater River Mainstem and Middle Fork Clearwater River from the mouth of the Clearwater River upstream to Clear Creek. Closures: fishing is prohibited between posted boundaries about100 yards upstream and downstream from the Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery Ladder and extending into the river channel approximately 50 yards. Fishing from the shoreline or wading along the perimeter of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery is prohibited. Fishing from motorized watercraft is prohibited from the Clearwater River Bridge at Orofino upstream to the mouth of Clear Creek from Sept. 15 through April 30.

·   North Fork Clearwater River from its mouth upstream to Dworshak Dam. Closures: Fishing from the shoreline or wading along the perimeter of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery is prohibited. Fishing from any watercraft or wading is prohibited between the posted line about 150 yards upstream from the mouth of the North Fork Clearwater River and the Ahsahka Hwy. 7 Bridge. When fishing from the Ahsahka Hwy. 7 Bridge, it is unlawful to take any fish downstream of the railroad bridge. Fishing from the railroad bridge is prohibited.

·   South Fork Clearwater River from its mouth upstream to the confluence of American and Red rivers.

·   Salmon River from its mouth upstream to the posted boundary 100 yards downstream of Sawtooth Hatchery.

·   Little Salmon River from its mouth upstream to the U.S. Hwy. 95 bridge near Smokey Boulder road.

·   Snake River from the Washington State line at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.

   The fall steelhead season ends Dec. 31.

Sportsmen's Report sponsored by John and Lorraine Weiland