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If you're anticipating steelhead fishing on the
Clearwater River, here's the story you're
looking for |
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February 11, 2015 |
This winter has been a good one for steelhead
anglers in Idaho; especially on the Clearwater
River. Catch rates have been as low as five
hours per fish, which is considered excellent
for the hard fighting, yet sometimes elusive
ocean-going rainbow trout.
Unlike most anadromous species, Idaho steelhead
can spend many months in fresh water before they
spawn in the spring, giving anglers extra
opportunity to fish for them. In the past few
weeks Clearwater steelhead have begun showing up
in the South Fork Clearwater. According to
Regional Fish Manager Joe Dupont, 15 to 100
steelhead have been moving into the South Fork
each day. More anglers are fishing the South
Fork, and Dupont expects those numbers to
increase as spring approaches.
While catch rates on the Lower Clearwater rose a
bit at the end of January, anglers should not be
discouraged. There are plenty of fish still
moving through the system, and the best is yet
to come.
“As you get closer to spawning, you will see
more fish showing up in the areas they were
released from,” said Dupont. “Late in the
season, you can experience incredible catch
rates in the lower Clearwater.”
One of the major release points is just below
Dworshak Dam. Most steelhead spawn in March and
early April, so anglers fishing the North Fork
Clearwater (below Dworshak) and the main
Clearwater just downstream from the North Fork
will have good opportunity to catch more
steelhead in less time for the next six to eight
weeks. The same phenomenon will occur in the
Salmon River, as steelhead continue to move up
the system toward the places they were hatched
or released.
For more information on steelhead fishing in
Idaho, including dam counts and catch rates, go
to:
https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=38 |
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