Reasons to go spring steelheading abound by the thousands

Anglers looking to get an early start on their fishing season and catch one of Idaho's most prized fish should take advantage of spring steelhead fishing. It’s an exciting time because we’re seeing the best steelhead return since 2015 with more than 100,000 fish crossing Lower Granite Dam in 2024.

Those fish move into headwaters during late winter and early spring, which concentrates them in the upper tributaries of the Clearwater and Salmon rivers. Anglers key on those areas for the opportunity to catch these large, ocean-going fish. 

Where to find them

In the Clearwater area, the South Fork Clearwater River and the mainstem Clearwater River in the Kooskia/Kamiah areas, main Clearwater River near Dworshak Hatchery and the North Fork Clearwater River are all good choices depending on the type of fishing you enjoy. Boaters can catch a lot of fish out the main river, and bank anglers do well in the tributaries. 

Fishing also gets good as soon as water temperatures start to warm near Riggins on the Salmon and Little Salmon rivers, and the Snake River near Hells Canyon Dam. In the Upper Salmon River near the town of Salmon, the Deadwater ice jam breaking up is the signal that fishing will start picking up, which typically happens in late February or early March. When the ice jam breaks up, those fish start pouring through and heading all the way to the Stanley area. 

What conditions to watch for

Warmer weather gets the fish moving and more active, but you want those Goldilocks conditions. Gently warming water can be your friend, but too warm, or rainy weather, can turn rivers into muddy torrents and make steelhead fishing difficult. 

Anglers can see a river flow gauges thanks to the U.S. Geological Survey, which has gauging stations throughout Idaho. By watching the weather and the stream flows, anglers can track in real time what’s happening with the rivers.

Steelhead typically like water with a little color (think emerald green), but not too low and clear, or too muddy. The weather can change quickly in late winter and early spring, so fishing can change dramatically from day to day. 

Steelhead fishing also tends to improve when a river recedes after a big pulse of runoff. Good steelhead anglers, or lucky ones, can catch fish in almost any conditions, but using those guidelines will help you improve your chances of catching fish and knowing when to time your trips. 

Where the fish go, the anglers follow

Steelhead congregating in smaller headwaters and tributaries means there can be crowding. In some cases, that gives steelhead fishing a social atmosphere, but it can also lead to intense competition for prime fishing spots, especially on weekends. That’s not intended to wave you off, but have realistic expectations, and fishing midweek or later in the day on weekends might help if you don’t like crowds. 

Don’t feel like you have to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other anglers to catch steelhead. There’s more than a 100 miles of river between Stanley and Salmon, and more downstream from Salmon, and most of it is road accessible.

Get the latest steelhead intel 

To further fine tune your knowledge, steelhead anglers can check Fish and Game's harvest reports to see how the fishing is. Catch rates at under 10 hours per fish is good, and under 5 hours per fish is excellent.

Another option is to check the hatchery returns, which helps you track when fish start arriving at hatcheries, and it can also be an indicator of how many remain in the river nearby. 

Remember it’s better to be a little early than a little late because fish are migrating, so if you wait too long, most of them may have already swam past where you want to fish. 

A phone call to Fish and Game regional offices or local tackle shops can also provide anglers with useful and timely information. 

By doing a little homework and watching the weather, you can hit it when the rivers are in good shape and fish are in. Remember those dates because there's a fair-to-good chance you will find similar conditions around those dates in future years. 

E-tagging is now available for steelhead and salmon anglers

Idaho Fish and Game’s new electronic salmon and steelhead permits are available at all vendors, or through the Go Outdoors Idaho mobile app. E-tagging also allows anglers to buy an electronic salmon or steelhead permit with their smart phone and start fishing immediately.

E-tagging allows salmon or steelhead anglers to validate their permits electronically. Anglers can use the app while out of cell service, in low service areas, and while the device is on airplane mode.

Remember, if you buy a paper tag, you're ineligible for e-tagging, so download from the app, or ask for an e-tag at vendors when you buy your tag. 

Information: Idaho Department of Fish and Game, idfg.idaho.gov

Roger Phillips is a public information officer for Idaho Department of Fish and Game.