03-20-2008, 07:10 PM
Steelhead fishing, as one optimistic angler puts it, is great, and the catching is a bonus. In other words, the catching has been slow on the Clearwater and mediocre on the Snake River. Bait anglers are using small red cured shrimp or roe. Trollers are using dark colored plugs. Fly anglers should try big, fuzzy leeches along the bottom.
Efective January 1, 2008, it is illegal to use live shrimp as bait while fishing. See page 11 of the 2008-2009 fishing rules for clarification.
The catch and keep season on the Clearwater River upstream of the Memorial Bridge opened October 15. The fall catch and release steelhead season opened on July 1 in the Clearwater River and on August 1 on the Snake and Salmon rivers. The catch and keep season (for hatchery steelhead) opened on the Clearwater River downstream of the Memorial Bridge (~2 miles at Lewiston) on August 1 and opened on the Snake and Salmon rivers on September 1.
Know the difference between a steelhead and a salmon! Chinook salmon have a black mouth. Any salmon caught must be immediately released.
For current information on steelhead catch rates and water conditions, please click here.
Check the USGS Water Resources website for water flow information and water conditions.<br />
Idaho's steelhead are often classified into two groups, A-run and B-run, based on their size and ocean life history.
Steelhead are actually rainbow trout that migrate to the ocean and return to fresh water (anadromous fish). Idaho's A-run steelhead are usually found in the Snake and Salmon rivers. They return from the ocean earlier in the year (usually June through August) and they most often return after spending one year in the ocean. Because they return early in the year and because they usually come back after only one year in the ocean, they weigh 4 to 6 pounds and are generally 23 to 26 inches in length.
The B-run steelhead most often return to the Clearwater River, but some return to tributaries in the Salmon River. These fish usually spend two years in the ocean, and start their migration to Idaho later in the summer or fall of the year (usually late August or September). Because of the extra year and the extra summer of growing in the ocean, they return as much bigger fish.
Average B-run steelhead weigh between 10 and 13 pounds and are 31 to 34 inches long. Steelhead grow very large when they spend a third year in the ocean before they return to Idaho to spawn. These steelhead are usually larger than 37 inches and often weigh more than 20 pounds. The Idaho state record steelhead was 30 pounds and was caught in the Clearwater River in 1973.
Check out our Clearwater Region Family Fishing Waters program [PDF, 630 KB], with family-oriented fishing opportunities and simplified rules.<br />
Anglers must have a valid 2008 license and are reminded to check the 2008 fishing rules brochure for any restrictions and limits.
Panhandle | Clearwater | Southwest | McCall | Magic Valley | Southeast | Upper Snake | Salmon
Fish Stocking Information
General Regional Information - Spring 2008
Steelhead Trout<br />
Spring in the Clearwater Region finds hatchery steelhead migrating quickly to areas where they were released as smolts one to three years earlier. These fish have not fed since they left the ocean the previous summer and fall, and therefore aren't as frisky as they were when they were fresh out of the ocean. However, they can still provide some fine sport fishing.
The towns of Orofino, Kooskia, Kamiah, and Riggins are considered "steelhead central" during the spring steelhead season. Consistent springtime hotspots are the mainstem and North Fork Clearwater Rivers in the immediate vicinity around Dworshak National Fish Hatchery; the main stem and Middle Fork Clearwater Rivers just below Clear Creek near Kooskia; the South Fork Clearwater River; and the Little Salmon River.
The Steelhead season closes April 30 on most regional waters, but goes until May 15 on the Little Salmon River. Before you go, take a look at the steelhead regulations and especially remember the "Big Three":
Pinch your barbs down on all hooks you use.<br />
Immediately release any steelhead you catch with an unclipped adipose fin.<br />
Immediately validate your steelhead permit upon retaining a legal steelhead.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinook Salmon<br />
A major goal of Idaho fishery managers is to maximize salmon fishing opportunity for Idaho anglers, but a variety of biological and regulatory factors generally make setting chinook seasons a somewhat complicated process. Because of this, chinook anglers should stay informed of season changes and be flexible in their fishing plans. Fish and Game will strive to keep anglers informed of preseason runsize predictions, inseason runsize estimates, and fishing regulations.
In years when sufficient spring chinook salmon return to Idaho to hold a fishing season, salmon fevers grips the area during their brief migration through the Clearwater Region. Chinook typically migrate through the lower rivers quickly, and mainstem river fishing in the Lewiston area is usually good for only three or four weeks. After that, fishing shifts to locations near hatchery release areas. These release areas include: the South Fork Clearwater River, the North Fork Clearwater below Dworshak Dam, the Middle Fork Clearwater at the mouth of Clear Creek, the Lochsa River at Powell, Hell's Canyon Dam, and Rapid River Fish Hatchery near Riggins.
Chinook generally start appearing in Idaho at Lewiston the last week of April, and fishing can be good through June if you follow the migration upstream. Like during the spring steelhead season, the towns of Orofino, Kooskia, Kamiah, and Riggins are considered "chinook central" during late May and early June during a good chinook run.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lowland Lakes<br />
With springtime comes some of the best fishing of the year at our lowland lakes. They all provide great fishing opportunities for planted rainbow trout, and most also have good populations of warmwater fish, such as largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish and yellow perch.
Many of these lakes are managed as Family Fishing Waters, which designates simplified regulations (six trout and six bass bag limit, no length limits, and no special fishing gear restrictions). Besides the simplified regulations, Family Fishing Waters also are a great place to take youngsters to catch a fish. Most have good fishing docks and restroom facilities.
Below is a list of regional lakes and some the fish you might expect to encounter at each:
Deer Creek Reservoir - Near Pierce, Idaho. Family Fishing Water. This is the state's newest fishing lake. Excellent populations of stocked rainbow and cutthroat trout. The reservoir is open all year to fishing, but because of wildlife related road restrictions, the access road will be open to motorized vehicles May 20-September 30 annually. Outside of those dates, anglers and other lake users will need to make a hike of about half a mile to reach the lake.<br />
Elk Creek Reservoir - Near Elk River, Idaho. Good populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, brook trout, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.<br />
Fenn Pond - Near Fenn Ranger Station on the lower Selway River. Family Fishing Water. Stocked with rainbow trout in the spring.<br />
Mann Lake - Near Lewiston, Idaho. Mann Lake is an irrigation reservoir and is usually drawn down in the late summer, but it is at full pool in the spring. Good populations of largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.<br />
Moose Creek Reservoir - Near Bovill, Idaho. Family Fishing Water. Good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.<br />
Soldier's Meadow Reservoir - 20 miles south of Lewiston. Soldier's Meadow is an irrigation reservoir and is usually drawn down in late summer but it is at full pool in the spring. Good populations of black crappie and stocked rainbow trout.<br />
Spring Valley Reservoir - Near Troy, Idaho. Family Fishing Water. Good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.<br />
Tolo Lake - Near Grangeville, Idaho. It is a fairly turbid natural lake but has been stocked with white crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish.<br />
Waha Lake - South of Lewiston, Idaho. Waha is a natural lake and has fair populations of smallmouth bass and stocked rainbow trout.<br />
Winchester Lake - Near Winchester, Idaho. Family Fishing Water. Excellent populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, and stocked rainbow trout. Tiger muskellunge have also been stocked in Winchester Lake. Visitors to Winchester Lake will notice numerous floating structures on the lake. These are part of an experimental project to improve water quality and fishing by oxygenating the deeper portions of the lake. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.<br />
Dworshak Reservoir - Near Orofino, Idaho. At 17,000 surface acres and 54 miles long at full pool, Dworshak Reservoir is the largest lake in the area. It boasts excellent populations of kokanee salmon, rainbow and cutthroat trout, and smallmouth bass. Dworshak Reservoir from the dam upstream to Grandad Bridge is open to fishing all year, but above Grandad the fishing season runs from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to November 30. The trout limit in this part of the reservoir is 6 per day, but only 2 of those can be cutthroat.
Water levels in Dworshak are usually down 60 feet or so in the early spring but rise to nearly full pool by June. The best kokanee fishing of the year can be had in April, May and June, with fishing usually starting to get good in mid to late March. Most of the early action is between the dam and Dent Bridge. Our latest kokanee population surveys last fall revealed good numbers of fish, so anglers should expect some great fishing this spring. Rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing can be very good in the spring also. Look for the best action at the mouths of tributary streams.
Smallmouth bass anglers usually start doing well with the onset of warmer weather. The last two years have seen intense interest in the bass fishery, as in 2006 at least two smallmouth over nine pounds were caught in the reservoir. Both of these fish shattered the old state record by over a pound, with the biggest fish pushing the record to 9 pounds, 11 ounces.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Army Corps of Engineers started a nutrient enhancement program last spring on Dworshak Reservoir. This exciting project essentially involves adding specific nutrients in specific doses to bring the overall nutrient levels in the lake into balance, and promises to improve water quality and fish growth. Results from last summer indicated that densities of high quality zooplankton favored by kokanee increased substantially after the first couple of treatments. Bi-weekly treatments are scheduled throughout this summer, and IDFG will be monitoring the progress on the treatments throughout the year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rivers and Streams<br />
In most years, the Memorial Day weekend general stream opener finds area rivers flowing very high, but anglers can still catch some nice-sized cutthroat trout in the Lochsa, Selway, and North Fork Clearwater Rivers. To protect these outstanding fisheries, most of these rivers have harvest and gear restrictions on them, so be sure to check the regulations before you go. Anglers are also urged to use caution when fishing in high, cold water conditions.
The under appreciated whitefish is very common in most regional streams. The lower Clearwater below Orofino is one of the best stretches, where whitefish can grow to 22 inches. They are active all year and can provide excellent spring fishing.
The Snake and lower Salmon Rivers have excellent smallmouth bass populations and spring is a great time to catch them as the water warms. Catfishing in the Lewiston area is a popular springtime activity. The channel catfish here average 3-5 lbs but 15 pounders are not uncommon.
White Sturgeon<br />
Both the Snake and lower Salmon rivers offer one of the most unique freshwater fishing experiences you can have anywhere: fishing for white sturgeon. Sturgeon can be caught all year but springtime is probably the best time to try to catch one of these giant fish.
The Clearwater Region has perhaps the strongest population of white sturgeon in Idaho in the 105 miles of free-flowing Snake River from Lewiston upstream to Hell's Canyon Dam. The most recent studies there estimated that there are from 3,000 to 6,000 sturgeon between two and eleven feet long in this area. Over half of the fish are less than three feet long, indicating that there is good reproduction in this stretch. Smaller numbers of sturgeon are found in the lower Salmon River.
White sturgeon can live to be over 80 years old and grow very slowly. Because of this, since 1970 the sturgeon fishery has been managed under a strict catch and release regulation. Any sturgeon caught may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately unharmed. Barbless hooks are also required when fishing for sturgeon.
Sturgeon angling continues to be more popular in Idaho every year. As the number of anglers increases, so does the importance of treating hooked fish properly to insure their survival. If you decide to try your hand at this exciting sport, please use the following tips to ensure you practice "low-impact" sturgeon fishing and treat these ancient fish with the respect they deserve:
Hook 'Em Right: (Keep the fish from swallowing the hook)<br />
Use non-offset circle hooks-sizes 7/0 to 13/0. Non-offset circle hooks offer a tremendous advantage over traditional J-hooks because fish are almost never hooked deeply when using them. An additional advantage of these hooks is that fish rarely become unhooked during the fight. Circle hooks are very different than J-hooks and require a couple of different techniques to hook a sturgeon. First, let the fish mouth the bait a few seconds longer than you would with a J-hook, and second, don't set the hook. Instead, simply start reeling until you come tight on the fish. The hook will catch on the corner of the mouth as you smoothly tighten the line. For those not yet ready to make the switch to circle hooks, remember that when using a regular "J" hook, it is especially critical to hook the fish quickly before it has a chance to swallow the bait.<br />
Pinch the barb-(It's the law). Pinch the barb down on your hook to ease hook removal and minimize the damage to a sturgeon's fleshy mouth.<br />
Rig it right. Tie your sinker to a dropper line on a sliding swivel, using at least ten pound test lighter line than your main line. This will minimize the chances of leaving a baited hook rig snagged to the bottom if you break off. We suspect that this "ghost gear" is getting to be a real problem in some popular fishing holes.<br />
Play 'Em Fast: (Avoid overstressing the fish during the fight)<br />
50-80 lb test monofilament lines or 130-150 lb test superbraid lines should be considered the minimum size to use. Monofilament has advantages in that it has much higher abrasion resistance and its stretch makes it much more forgiving when fighting large fish.<br />
Use heavy gear properly sized to fight powerful fish weighing up to 400 pounds and land the fish as quickly as possible. Lactic acid can build up in the fish's muscles during long fights. A good sturgeon reel needs to be very well built, have a very smooth drag, and hold at least 250 yards of the proper line.<br />
Choose your fishing spot carefully. Be realistic about the chances of landing a large sturgeon when choosing a fishing hole, especially when fishing without a boat. Ask yourself if you will be able to follow the fish if it leaves the hole. Try to avoid having to tell the story of being spooled, leaving 200 yards or more of expensive line hooked to a fish.<br />
Release 'Em Easy: (Ensure the fish will survive to fight another day)<br />
Keep the fish in the water-(It's the law). Don't pull the fish up on the rocks for a photo. Pulling the fish on the rocks will remove the fish's layer of protective mucous and often will open cuts in the fish's skin, which can lead the way to an infection. The best way to get a great sturgeon photo is to get in the water with the fish. In cold weather, this usually means having some waders handy. Keep water flowing over the gills at all times when removing the hook or snapping a picture.<br />
Don't tie the fish by the tail. A tail-roped fish can easily be injured, especially if it starts thrashing.<br />
Revive a played-out fish by holding its mouth open in the current so water flows over its gills until it wants to swim away. A tired sturgeon will almost always remain calm when you hold them by the mouth upside down in the water. Keep your hands out of their gills at all tim
Efective January 1, 2008, it is illegal to use live shrimp as bait while fishing. See page 11 of the 2008-2009 fishing rules for clarification.
The catch and keep season on the Clearwater River upstream of the Memorial Bridge opened October 15. The fall catch and release steelhead season opened on July 1 in the Clearwater River and on August 1 on the Snake and Salmon rivers. The catch and keep season (for hatchery steelhead) opened on the Clearwater River downstream of the Memorial Bridge (~2 miles at Lewiston) on August 1 and opened on the Snake and Salmon rivers on September 1.
Know the difference between a steelhead and a salmon! Chinook salmon have a black mouth. Any salmon caught must be immediately released.
For current information on steelhead catch rates and water conditions, please click here.
Check the USGS Water Resources website for water flow information and water conditions.<br />
Idaho's steelhead are often classified into two groups, A-run and B-run, based on their size and ocean life history.
Steelhead are actually rainbow trout that migrate to the ocean and return to fresh water (anadromous fish). Idaho's A-run steelhead are usually found in the Snake and Salmon rivers. They return from the ocean earlier in the year (usually June through August) and they most often return after spending one year in the ocean. Because they return early in the year and because they usually come back after only one year in the ocean, they weigh 4 to 6 pounds and are generally 23 to 26 inches in length.
The B-run steelhead most often return to the Clearwater River, but some return to tributaries in the Salmon River. These fish usually spend two years in the ocean, and start their migration to Idaho later in the summer or fall of the year (usually late August or September). Because of the extra year and the extra summer of growing in the ocean, they return as much bigger fish.
Average B-run steelhead weigh between 10 and 13 pounds and are 31 to 34 inches long. Steelhead grow very large when they spend a third year in the ocean before they return to Idaho to spawn. These steelhead are usually larger than 37 inches and often weigh more than 20 pounds. The Idaho state record steelhead was 30 pounds and was caught in the Clearwater River in 1973.
Check out our Clearwater Region Family Fishing Waters program [PDF, 630 KB], with family-oriented fishing opportunities and simplified rules.<br />
Anglers must have a valid 2008 license and are reminded to check the 2008 fishing rules brochure for any restrictions and limits.
Panhandle | Clearwater | Southwest | McCall | Magic Valley | Southeast | Upper Snake | Salmon
Fish Stocking Information
General Regional Information - Spring 2008
Steelhead Trout<br />
Spring in the Clearwater Region finds hatchery steelhead migrating quickly to areas where they were released as smolts one to three years earlier. These fish have not fed since they left the ocean the previous summer and fall, and therefore aren't as frisky as they were when they were fresh out of the ocean. However, they can still provide some fine sport fishing.
The towns of Orofino, Kooskia, Kamiah, and Riggins are considered "steelhead central" during the spring steelhead season. Consistent springtime hotspots are the mainstem and North Fork Clearwater Rivers in the immediate vicinity around Dworshak National Fish Hatchery; the main stem and Middle Fork Clearwater Rivers just below Clear Creek near Kooskia; the South Fork Clearwater River; and the Little Salmon River.
The Steelhead season closes April 30 on most regional waters, but goes until May 15 on the Little Salmon River. Before you go, take a look at the steelhead regulations and especially remember the "Big Three":
Pinch your barbs down on all hooks you use.<br />
Immediately release any steelhead you catch with an unclipped adipose fin.<br />
Immediately validate your steelhead permit upon retaining a legal steelhead.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinook Salmon<br />
A major goal of Idaho fishery managers is to maximize salmon fishing opportunity for Idaho anglers, but a variety of biological and regulatory factors generally make setting chinook seasons a somewhat complicated process. Because of this, chinook anglers should stay informed of season changes and be flexible in their fishing plans. Fish and Game will strive to keep anglers informed of preseason runsize predictions, inseason runsize estimates, and fishing regulations.
In years when sufficient spring chinook salmon return to Idaho to hold a fishing season, salmon fevers grips the area during their brief migration through the Clearwater Region. Chinook typically migrate through the lower rivers quickly, and mainstem river fishing in the Lewiston area is usually good for only three or four weeks. After that, fishing shifts to locations near hatchery release areas. These release areas include: the South Fork Clearwater River, the North Fork Clearwater below Dworshak Dam, the Middle Fork Clearwater at the mouth of Clear Creek, the Lochsa River at Powell, Hell's Canyon Dam, and Rapid River Fish Hatchery near Riggins.
Chinook generally start appearing in Idaho at Lewiston the last week of April, and fishing can be good through June if you follow the migration upstream. Like during the spring steelhead season, the towns of Orofino, Kooskia, Kamiah, and Riggins are considered "chinook central" during late May and early June during a good chinook run.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lowland Lakes<br />
With springtime comes some of the best fishing of the year at our lowland lakes. They all provide great fishing opportunities for planted rainbow trout, and most also have good populations of warmwater fish, such as largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish and yellow perch.
Many of these lakes are managed as Family Fishing Waters, which designates simplified regulations (six trout and six bass bag limit, no length limits, and no special fishing gear restrictions). Besides the simplified regulations, Family Fishing Waters also are a great place to take youngsters to catch a fish. Most have good fishing docks and restroom facilities.
Below is a list of regional lakes and some the fish you might expect to encounter at each:
Deer Creek Reservoir - Near Pierce, Idaho. Family Fishing Water. This is the state's newest fishing lake. Excellent populations of stocked rainbow and cutthroat trout. The reservoir is open all year to fishing, but because of wildlife related road restrictions, the access road will be open to motorized vehicles May 20-September 30 annually. Outside of those dates, anglers and other lake users will need to make a hike of about half a mile to reach the lake.<br />
Elk Creek Reservoir - Near Elk River, Idaho. Good populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, brook trout, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.<br />
Fenn Pond - Near Fenn Ranger Station on the lower Selway River. Family Fishing Water. Stocked with rainbow trout in the spring.<br />
Mann Lake - Near Lewiston, Idaho. Mann Lake is an irrigation reservoir and is usually drawn down in the late summer, but it is at full pool in the spring. Good populations of largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.<br />
Moose Creek Reservoir - Near Bovill, Idaho. Family Fishing Water. Good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.<br />
Soldier's Meadow Reservoir - 20 miles south of Lewiston. Soldier's Meadow is an irrigation reservoir and is usually drawn down in late summer but it is at full pool in the spring. Good populations of black crappie and stocked rainbow trout.<br />
Spring Valley Reservoir - Near Troy, Idaho. Family Fishing Water. Good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.<br />
Tolo Lake - Near Grangeville, Idaho. It is a fairly turbid natural lake but has been stocked with white crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish.<br />
Waha Lake - South of Lewiston, Idaho. Waha is a natural lake and has fair populations of smallmouth bass and stocked rainbow trout.<br />
Winchester Lake - Near Winchester, Idaho. Family Fishing Water. Excellent populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, and stocked rainbow trout. Tiger muskellunge have also been stocked in Winchester Lake. Visitors to Winchester Lake will notice numerous floating structures on the lake. These are part of an experimental project to improve water quality and fishing by oxygenating the deeper portions of the lake. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.<br />
Dworshak Reservoir - Near Orofino, Idaho. At 17,000 surface acres and 54 miles long at full pool, Dworshak Reservoir is the largest lake in the area. It boasts excellent populations of kokanee salmon, rainbow and cutthroat trout, and smallmouth bass. Dworshak Reservoir from the dam upstream to Grandad Bridge is open to fishing all year, but above Grandad the fishing season runs from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to November 30. The trout limit in this part of the reservoir is 6 per day, but only 2 of those can be cutthroat.
Water levels in Dworshak are usually down 60 feet or so in the early spring but rise to nearly full pool by June. The best kokanee fishing of the year can be had in April, May and June, with fishing usually starting to get good in mid to late March. Most of the early action is between the dam and Dent Bridge. Our latest kokanee population surveys last fall revealed good numbers of fish, so anglers should expect some great fishing this spring. Rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing can be very good in the spring also. Look for the best action at the mouths of tributary streams.
Smallmouth bass anglers usually start doing well with the onset of warmer weather. The last two years have seen intense interest in the bass fishery, as in 2006 at least two smallmouth over nine pounds were caught in the reservoir. Both of these fish shattered the old state record by over a pound, with the biggest fish pushing the record to 9 pounds, 11 ounces.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Army Corps of Engineers started a nutrient enhancement program last spring on Dworshak Reservoir. This exciting project essentially involves adding specific nutrients in specific doses to bring the overall nutrient levels in the lake into balance, and promises to improve water quality and fish growth. Results from last summer indicated that densities of high quality zooplankton favored by kokanee increased substantially after the first couple of treatments. Bi-weekly treatments are scheduled throughout this summer, and IDFG will be monitoring the progress on the treatments throughout the year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rivers and Streams<br />
In most years, the Memorial Day weekend general stream opener finds area rivers flowing very high, but anglers can still catch some nice-sized cutthroat trout in the Lochsa, Selway, and North Fork Clearwater Rivers. To protect these outstanding fisheries, most of these rivers have harvest and gear restrictions on them, so be sure to check the regulations before you go. Anglers are also urged to use caution when fishing in high, cold water conditions.
The under appreciated whitefish is very common in most regional streams. The lower Clearwater below Orofino is one of the best stretches, where whitefish can grow to 22 inches. They are active all year and can provide excellent spring fishing.
The Snake and lower Salmon Rivers have excellent smallmouth bass populations and spring is a great time to catch them as the water warms. Catfishing in the Lewiston area is a popular springtime activity. The channel catfish here average 3-5 lbs but 15 pounders are not uncommon.
White Sturgeon<br />
Both the Snake and lower Salmon rivers offer one of the most unique freshwater fishing experiences you can have anywhere: fishing for white sturgeon. Sturgeon can be caught all year but springtime is probably the best time to try to catch one of these giant fish.
The Clearwater Region has perhaps the strongest population of white sturgeon in Idaho in the 105 miles of free-flowing Snake River from Lewiston upstream to Hell's Canyon Dam. The most recent studies there estimated that there are from 3,000 to 6,000 sturgeon between two and eleven feet long in this area. Over half of the fish are less than three feet long, indicating that there is good reproduction in this stretch. Smaller numbers of sturgeon are found in the lower Salmon River.
White sturgeon can live to be over 80 years old and grow very slowly. Because of this, since 1970 the sturgeon fishery has been managed under a strict catch and release regulation. Any sturgeon caught may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately unharmed. Barbless hooks are also required when fishing for sturgeon.
Sturgeon angling continues to be more popular in Idaho every year. As the number of anglers increases, so does the importance of treating hooked fish properly to insure their survival. If you decide to try your hand at this exciting sport, please use the following tips to ensure you practice "low-impact" sturgeon fishing and treat these ancient fish with the respect they deserve:
Hook 'Em Right: (Keep the fish from swallowing the hook)<br />
Use non-offset circle hooks-sizes 7/0 to 13/0. Non-offset circle hooks offer a tremendous advantage over traditional J-hooks because fish are almost never hooked deeply when using them. An additional advantage of these hooks is that fish rarely become unhooked during the fight. Circle hooks are very different than J-hooks and require a couple of different techniques to hook a sturgeon. First, let the fish mouth the bait a few seconds longer than you would with a J-hook, and second, don't set the hook. Instead, simply start reeling until you come tight on the fish. The hook will catch on the corner of the mouth as you smoothly tighten the line. For those not yet ready to make the switch to circle hooks, remember that when using a regular "J" hook, it is especially critical to hook the fish quickly before it has a chance to swallow the bait.<br />
Pinch the barb-(It's the law). Pinch the barb down on your hook to ease hook removal and minimize the damage to a sturgeon's fleshy mouth.<br />
Rig it right. Tie your sinker to a dropper line on a sliding swivel, using at least ten pound test lighter line than your main line. This will minimize the chances of leaving a baited hook rig snagged to the bottom if you break off. We suspect that this "ghost gear" is getting to be a real problem in some popular fishing holes.<br />
Play 'Em Fast: (Avoid overstressing the fish during the fight)<br />
50-80 lb test monofilament lines or 130-150 lb test superbraid lines should be considered the minimum size to use. Monofilament has advantages in that it has much higher abrasion resistance and its stretch makes it much more forgiving when fighting large fish.<br />
Use heavy gear properly sized to fight powerful fish weighing up to 400 pounds and land the fish as quickly as possible. Lactic acid can build up in the fish's muscles during long fights. A good sturgeon reel needs to be very well built, have a very smooth drag, and hold at least 250 yards of the proper line.<br />
Choose your fishing spot carefully. Be realistic about the chances of landing a large sturgeon when choosing a fishing hole, especially when fishing without a boat. Ask yourself if you will be able to follow the fish if it leaves the hole. Try to avoid having to tell the story of being spooled, leaving 200 yards or more of expensive line hooked to a fish.<br />
Release 'Em Easy: (Ensure the fish will survive to fight another day)<br />
Keep the fish in the water-(It's the law). Don't pull the fish up on the rocks for a photo. Pulling the fish on the rocks will remove the fish's layer of protective mucous and often will open cuts in the fish's skin, which can lead the way to an infection. The best way to get a great sturgeon photo is to get in the water with the fish. In cold weather, this usually means having some waders handy. Keep water flowing over the gills at all times when removing the hook or snapping a picture.<br />
Don't tie the fish by the tail. A tail-roped fish can easily be injured, especially if it starts thrashing.<br />
Revive a played-out fish by holding its mouth open in the current so water flows over its gills until it wants to swim away. A tired sturgeon will almost always remain calm when you hold them by the mouth upside down in the water. Keep your hands out of their gills at all tim