November 12, 2009
Steelhead Fishing Report
The 2009 steelhead run has been an outstanding one, with up to 300,000 fish predicted to cross Lower Granite Dam this fall. This number would double the ten year average run.
The only downside is that even though the number of A-run steelhead returning to the Snake and Salmon rivers is at an all time high, the B-run fish appear to be a bit below the last few years' average.
Because of the very large A-run this year, the daily bag limit for steelhead this fall and next spring has been raised to five, (with the stipulation that only three can be greater than 32 inches) on the Snake, Salmon and Little Salmon rivers.
The reason for the 32 inch rule is that most B-run steelhead are longer than 32 inches. On the Clearwater, the limit will remain unchanged at 2 per day in the fall season, and 3 per day for the spring season, starting on January 1, 2010.
The statewide season limit has also been raised to 40 fish for the fall 2009 season, with the stipulation that only 20 of those fish can come from the Clearwater.
As of Nov. 8, the steelhead harvest count was reported as follows;
Clearwater River (Mouth to Orofino Bridge) - Out of 237 anglers checked and 1,366 hours fished, 89 fish were kept and 64 fish were released.
Clearwater River (Upstream from Orofino Bridge to Clear Creek) - Out of 7 anglers checked and 27 hours fished, no fish were kept and 1 fish was released.
North Fork of the Clearwater - Out of 2 anglers checked and 18 hours fished, 2 fish were kept and no fish were released.
Snake (Downstream from Salmon River) - Out of 60 anglers checked and 361 hours fished, 54 fish were kept and 46 fish were released.
Snake (Salmon River to Hells Canyon Dam) - Out of 65 anglers checked and 392 hours fished, 69 fish were kept and 11 fish were released.
For more harvest information. contact the Idaho Fish and Game Department at http://fish andgame.idaho.gov/cms/fish/steelhead/weekly_harv.cfm
Sportsmen's Report sponsored by John and Lorraine Weiland
Riverside Sport Shop/Sinclair
11320 U.S. Highway 12, Orofino--208-476-5418