Idaho wildlife officials approve an agreement with conservation groups and sport anglers to keep steelhead fishing open in most of Idaho. The Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to support the deal on Friday, the same day Idaho steelhead seasons were scheduled to close.
Portions of the South Fork Clearwater and Salmon Rivers, where federally protected wild steelhead congregate, will remain closed.
Last month the commission voted to suspend steelhead fishing because of a threatened federal lawsuit by six conservation groups who said Idaho did not have a plan to protect wild steelhead.
Idaho wild steelhead have been struggling and were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1997. Wild steelhead must be released by anglers unharmed, but some die after being caught and handled.
