IDFG approves catch-and-keep steelhead season for Snake, Clearwater rivers

steelhead

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission Friday approved a proposal to allow catch-and-keep steelhead fisheries on the Snake, Salmon, and Little Salmon rivers and on the Clearwater River and its north, south, and middle forks.

The seasons begin Sunday.  Anglers on the Clearwater and its tributaries and the Snake River downstream of Couse Creek will be able to keep up to two hatchery steelhead per day but have to release all steelhead longer than 28 inches.  The size restrictions are designed to protect steelhead bound for the Clearwater Basin.

Catch-and-keep steelhead fishing normally opens on the Snake, Salmon, and Little Salmon rivers on September 1st, but Fish and Game in August closed steelhead harvest statewide because of low numbers of fish.

Steelhead counts, while still low, have improved to the point the state’s fisheries managers said harvest can be allowed without jeopardizing hatchery production or wild fish number. (AP, Lewiston Tribune)

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