BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has reopened steelhead fishing in the Clearwater River and lower Snake River downstream of Couse Creek Boat Ramp, beginning on January 1. Daily bag limit in those sections is limited to one adipose-clipped steelhead per day, none over 28 inches in length.
“Anglers should note that the North Fork Clearwater River will be closed to steelhead fishing during the 2020 spring season. The South Fork of the Clearwater River will also reopen on Jan. 1, and all other season dates remain the same as what is printed 2019-21 Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules brochure,” said Fish and Game spokesman Brian Pearson.
The commission voted to close steelhead fishing entirely on the Clearwater River in September, as well as the Snake River below Couse Creek boat ramp. The closure came amid concerns that returns of hatchery steelhead would not be sufficient to meet broodstock needs for the Clearwater hatcheries.
“Fisheries managers implemented additional trapping activities at Dworshak Hatchery and at Lower Granite Dam. Having never implemented these actions before, fisheries managers took a cautionary approach before proposing to reopen the fishery,” Pearson stated.
After an additional month of trapping steelhead for the Clearwater River hatchery programs, fisheries managers are confident there are enough steelhead for hatcheries and to provide steelhead fishing opportunities. Fisheries managers also plan to continue enlisting anglers to help provide steelhead broodstock in the South Fork of the Clearwater in the spring.
