While they can reach more than thirty pounds and be over forty inches in length, the more common is the ten- to twenty-pound range. In many ways, they are an ideal game fish, considering they are a blast to catch and have a deliciously flavored meat similar to a mild salmon with the same red-orange coloring indicating their rich ocean diet. A bonus is that they have thick fillets that make for easy cooking in a variety of ways.
Even with catch-and-release, they often put up a good fight and make for an exciting landing. Sadly, they are facing population decline in some of their historical habitat, though they still constitute a major livelihood for Pacific NW guides and a tasty pastime for dedicated fishermen. In the United States, the northern Pacific coastal rivers are their natural spawning grounds, and each year, their travel along the major waterways attracts anglers internationally.
Whether you are checking out vacation spots, looking for your next big fishing adventure, or just hoping for some suggestions closer to home, here is our list of the top 10 steelhead fishing locations in the U.
Well, the truth is… they might not be! However, based on the fishing reports, historical fish numbers, and advice of crotchety old fishermen in bait shops, these seem to be ten of the most likely choices for anyone hoping for an unforgettable steelhead season.
Let us know in the comments if you think another river should have made the list! If you believed some the brochures, you would think you can hardly throw a rock without hitting a fish or some other game animal. Which brings me to locale number one…. Perhaps the home of the two most surprising options on this list, New York offers the opportunity to snag some a steelhead thanks to the introduction of rainbow trout in the s.
The species did well in their non-native habitat, and both recreational and limited commercial fishing for their descendants continues today.
This is great news for those on the eastern seaboard who might not want to head all the way out West. Here snowmelt streams turn into icy rivers winding their way down from the Cascade Range and the Olympic Mountains. If you are looking to combine a fishing and hiking trip, there are some amazing trails along the river corridors through which steelhead run aplenty.
When it comes to steelhead fishing in Idaho, my home state, I might be just a tad biased. Growing up as the daughter of a whitewater rafting guide on the Salmon River has a load of perks, not the least of which is the fishing!
Idahoans might be known for their potatoes, but perhaps we should be known for the sheer volume of public land and waterways our state contains. Rainbow trout and steelhead are the same species, but completely different animals. Considered one of , if not the most noble of sportfish, the steelhead is famous for its beautiful shape and color, its unrelenting, aerobatic fight when hooked, and the extreme weather and water environments it often inhabits. These factors combine to make the pursuit of steelhead a serious challenge and an addiction unto itself.
Their fanatics, like the fish themselves, are wanderers, searchers, hunters. A steelhead is a rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss which is born in a river and then, after a juvenile period, migrates to the sea like a salmon. Eventually, after usually 2 or 3 years, they return to their natal streams to spawn.
While most steelhead will die after spawning, some will return to the sea and survive to spawn again. What triggers a salt water migration in some trout but not in others remains a thing of a mystery, but whatever the reason, their oceanic journeys are legendary. For instance, a tagged steelhead of Columbia River, Oregon origin was once recaptured off the coast of Japan; and unlike salmon , which maraud the high seas in schools, steelhead swim solo.
Today, habitat loss in their southern range makes their northern range a very important focus. The steelhead rivers of the Kenai Peninsula harbor fantastic runs of fresh steelhead in the fall months, providing a wonderful and diverse Alaskan steelhead experience.
These rivers are gorgeous and Read More For many years Dave Jones has been operating this isolated tent camp operation on the banks of Kodiak Island's Ayakulik River, the only outfitter licensed to operate on the upper stretches of this watershed. Babine Steelhead Lodge is situated on one of the best trophy steelhead stretches of water in the world. Helicopter access from Smither's adds an extra half day of fishing to the week and guests can plan on shaking hands with some of the Easy wading thanks to a mild gradient, and plenty of access.
Best to float this river or run it in a jet boat. Morice River Tributary of the Bulkley. Fall run of countless steelhead. These fish travel hundreds of kilometers to get back to their home river. These fish are mostly small but they are notoriously strong, they pull hard and are not afraid to attack flies. Bell Irving River Tributary of the upper Nass. The fall steelhead are numerous and aggressive, the remote scenery and wild fish make this river a great stop!
Access is somewhat difficult and lots of bears so be careful when walking through the bush! Copper River Tributary of the Skeena. Large run of summer run steelhead. Average fish is around 8 pounds but they are notoriously aggressive and will hit dries, wets or just about anything you cast out. Dean River Arguably the hottest summer steelhead on the planet, straight from the ocean be sure to have a strong rod, a quality reel with good drag and lots of backing, get ready to run.
Babine River Upper Skeena tributary. Kalum River Tributary of the Skeena. This river gets fall and spring run steelhead. This river can have some fish pushing 20 pounds but even the smaller ones fight well. Be sure to fish a big rod and heavy leader, any tug could be a 5-pound fish or an pounder. Kitimat River Later spring run, large fish but somewhat few in number. This river flows directly into the ocean and when you hook a sea lice covered winter steelhead you will not want to fish for anything else.
Gold River This fairly narrow river has runs of both summer and winter run steelhead. The winter run fish are especially well known for being big, strong and bright.
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