Rough Returns Mean More Changes For Steelhead Seasons

The Snake River is not the place to go if you're wanting to catch some steelhead.

In fact, the best place right now is Ringold on the Columbia River, now that the Snake is catch and release only in Washington.

As of Oct. 15, until further notice, new rules go into effect on the Snake River.

Lagging steelhead returns during the summer of 2017 led fisheries managers to close or reduce daily limits for steelhead fisheries in most of the Columbia River and its tributaries.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will continue to monitor the steelhead run, if conditions change seasons and harvest rules may be adjusted in coming months.

WDFW is also monitoring PIT tag returns of fish to individual drainages and will be making determinations on seasons in Snake and Columbia River tributaries in Southeast Washington. Please continue to check emergency rules if you are planning to fish for steelhead within the affected area.

The Fall chinook fishery remains open through Oct. 31, 2017 and anglers must cease fishing for salmon and steelhead for the day once they have retained their adult chinook limit.

Anglers must use barbless hooks when fishing for chinook or steelhead in the Snake River. Anglers cannot remove any chinook or steelhead from the water unless it is retained as part of their daily limit. Anglers should be sure to identify their catch because unmarked chinook salmon, coho salmon and steelhead are also in the Snake River during this fishery.