JEROME -- Fish and Game commissioners have extended the reduced bag and possession limits for the 2018 spring steelhead season, which started Monday. The limits include:
- Clearwater River Basin, which includes the mainstem Clearwater, North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork: daily limit is two adipose fin-clipped steelhead, with none over 28 inches in total length; possession limit is six adipose fin-clipped steelhead, with none over 28 inches in total length.
- Salmon River: daily limit is two adipose fin-clipped steelhead; possession limit is six adipose fin-clipped steelhead.
- Snake River upstream from the Washington/Idaho state line to Couse Creek Boat Ramp -- about 17 miles upstream of the Idaho/Washington border: daily limit is two adipose fin-clipped steelhead, with none over 28 inches in total length; possession limit is six adipose fin-clipped steelhead, with 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 adipose fin-clipped steelhead; possession limit is six adipose fin-clipped steelhead.
All other 2018 steelhead rules apply -- including season harvest limits and opening/closing dates. An updated brochure is available on the Steelhead Fishing Rules page at https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/steelhead/rules.
Under reduced harvest limits through the spring season, the number of hatchery steelhead returning to Idaho is sufficient to provide a harvest fishery for adipose fin-clipped/hatchery-origin steelhead. The size restriction on the lower Snake and Clearwater rivers protects the larger "B-run" steelhead from over-harvest, and ensures enough will return to replenish hatcheries.
Mike Demick
Steelhead Limits Reduced for 2018 Spring Season
Times-News, January 4, 2018
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