Salmon River Steelhead

Salmon River Steelhead, April 20th, 2024

Steelhead angler effort during the past week was primarily observed below the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery in location code 19. Angler effort in other areas of the Upper Salmon River was very low.

Average catch rates were once again good upstream of the East Fork, and anglers interviewed within this area averaged 10 hours per steelhead caught. Anglers interviewed downstream of the East Fork in location code 18 averaged 32 hours per steelhead caught, and anglers interviewed downstream of the Pahsimeroi River in location code 17 averaged 12 hours per steelhead caught. Few anglers were interviewed below the Lemhi River in location codes 15 and 16, and no anglers reported catching a steelhead from either of those areas.

Warmer weather throughout the week resulted in a large jump in river flows by the weekend (see figure below). Currently, the Salmon River is flowing at 2,690 cfs through the town of Salmon, ID which is 163 percent of average for today’s date. Along with increased flows, the river’s visibility was poor in all areas downstream of the East Fork over the weekend. Water temperatures also climbed throughout the week and ranged from the mid-40s near Stanley to the low 50s below North Fork by Sunday afternoon. 

Salmon River, April 6th, 2024

Here is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for April 4^th. The data included in this report was collected between Monday, March 24 and Sunday, March 31, 2024.

Angler effort continued to shift more upriver last week. Angler effort was very low in the areas downstream of Salmon, ID, while it remained high in the areas upstream of Challis, ID, especially upstream of the East Fork in location code 19. Angler effort near the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River remained steady but was lower than what was observed two weeks ago.

Average catch rates were excellent upstream of the East Fork, while they continued to decline in the downstream areas. Anglers interviewed downstream of Salmon, ID in location codes 14, 15, and 16 did not report catching any steelhead, and anglers interviewed downstream of the Pahsimeroi River in location code 17 averaged 45 hours per steelhead caught. Anglers interviewed downstream of the East Fork in location code 18 averaged 15 hours per steelhead caught, and anglers interviewed upstream of the East Fork in location code 19 averaged 3 hours per steelhead caught, which was the best average catch rate observed so far this spring.

Salmon River, March 30th, 2024

Angler effort for steelhead shifted noticeably upriver last week, with a significant reduction in effort and fish concentration observed downstream of Salmon, ID. Most angler activity and reasonable catch rates were located from just downstream of the Pahsimeroi River confluence upstream to the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery. That steelhead numbers below the town of Salmon have dropped considerably indicates the bulk of this years run is coming to a close.

Salmon River Steelhead, November 18th, 2023

Catch rates have been steady for about three weeks. Angler effort has been highest below below Salmon, and catch rates vary there from 15 hours to 25 hours per fish depending on location. Best catch rate seems to be below the Pahsimeroi Rver where rate is about 6 hours per fish, but this data was obtained from fewer anglers. Water has cleared, has a normal flow rate, and its temperatures are in the lower 40s, Deg. F. Unsettled weather will move in this weekend with mixed snow and rain possible.

Salmon River Steelhead, October 17h, 2023

Are you a Salmon River steelhead fishing enthusiast ? You can keep current of conditions for doing so by opening IDF&G’s update reports for this activity on the Press Releases and Articles page of their web site. For example the page has a report on Salmon River steelhead fishing issued today, 10/17/23, on conditions and fishing success.

The Press Releases and Articles page also has current information on the quagga mussel situation on the Snake River in the Twin Falls area.