Idaho Steelhead Fishing Report
Provided by ------------------------------------------
Updated April 22nd, 2010Clearwater River (Orofino Stream Flows)
With rising river levels and cooler run off fish and fishermen have moved on. Not many anglers catching steelhead along the lower river and it's not much better in up the South Fork. Since the flows have more than doubled the last few days it will surely continue to slow fishing. Most anglers were drift fishing bait or bobber fishing jigs. A map showing the boundaries is available on Page 70 of the current Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules booklet.
Little Salmon River (Riggins Stream Flow)
Now, flows here are dropping and with lots of fish in the river it should be great fishing, of course that's as long as they don't get any rain. Bait works but corkies and yarn works well too, and maybe you should check out trout bead fishing.
Lower Salmon River ( Whitebird Stream Flow)
Even the flows the Little Salmon have more than doubled but interestingly they are still below average for this time of year. Unfortunately it's still slowing the fishing a little due to muddy conditions, and may for at least a few more days. Bait was working best, but corkies and yarn works well too, or try trout bead fishing.
Upper Salmon River (Salmon Stream Flow)
Fishing above the confluence of the East Fork is probably your best bet right now among any of Idaho's famed steelhead waters. Anglers are still catching fish around Stanley but with flows heading up there as well the fishing could also start to slow. Most fishermen are drifting eggs or small jigs, and some drift boaters are pulling plugs in the lower section, and bank anglers are tossing spinners and flies in the shallow upper section.
Hells Canyon on the Snake River (Lewiston to Hells Canyon Stream Flows)
I don't know about this place, if you're persistent, patient and keep you eye on the flows you can find a few fish. With better steelhead fishing most elsewhere I would probably head for the Salmon instead. But if you have to go here, sand shrimp seems to be the number one bait for both bank and boat fishermen, but plain ole' small jigs under a bobber will catch fish and backtrolling bright colored plugs will work as well.
