F&G Commission extends reduced steelhead limits for spring season
Fish and Game commissioners on Thursday, December 21, extended the reduced bag and possession limits for the 2018 spring steelhead season, which starts January 1.
Daily bag limits for the 2018 spring season are two daily and six in possession statewide. Only adipose fin-clipped steelhead may be harvested. Steelhead longer than 28 inches in total length cannot be harvested on the mainstem Clearwater, North Fork Clearwater, Middle Fork Clearwater, South Fork Clearwater, or the Snake River from the confluence (Lewiston) upstream to Couse Creek Boat Ramp.
All other 2018 steelhead rules still apply, including season harvest limits, opening and closing dates. An updated brochure will be available before January 1 on on the Steelhead Fishing Rules page.
The number of hatchery steelhead returning to Idaho is sufficient to provide a harvest fishery for adipose fin-clipped, hatchery-origin steelhead under reduced harvest limits through the spring season. The size restriction on the lower Snake and Clearwater rivers protects the larger “B-run” steelhead from overharvest and ensures enough will return to replenish hatcheries.
Limits include
Clearwater River Basin which includes the Mainstem Clearwater, North Fork Clearwater, Middle Fork Clearwater and South Fork Clearwater
Daily limit is two (2) adipose fin-clipped steelhead, none over 28 inches in total length;
Possession limit is six (6) adipose fin-clipped steelhead, none over 28 inches in total length
Salmon River
Daily limit is two (2) adipose fin-clipped steelhead
Possession limit is six (6) adipose fin-clipped steelhead
Snake River from the Washington/Idaho State line upstream to Couse Creek Boat Ramp (approximately 17 miles upstream of the Idaho-Washington border).
Daily limit is two (2) adipose fin-clipped steelhead, none over 28 inches in total length
Possession limit is six (6) adipose fin-clipped steelhead, none over 28 inches in total length
Snake River upstream from Couse Creek Boat Ramp, Snake River from Hells Canyon to Oxbow Dam and the Boise River
Daily limit is two (2) adipose fin-clipped steelhead
Possession limit is six (6) adipose fin-clipped steelhead
