Steelhead To Return To Boise River

Despite a lower-than-average steelhead return, Idaho Fish and Game will continue the popular stocking program in the Boise River starting on November 10.
Fish and Game personnel will remove about 300 steelhead from Hells Canyon and release the fish at several locations between Glenwood Bridge and Barber Dam. Additional steelhead may be stocked in November depending on the availability of fish.
The fish are A-run hatchery steelhead returning to the Idaho Power Company-owned and funded Oxbow Hatchery trap below Hells Canyon Dam. Because of their size - six to 12 pounds - the actual number of steelhead stocked will depend on the capacity of the tanker truck.
Fish and Game’s anadromous fish coordinator Sam Sharr said Fish and Game will likely stock between 400 and 500 steelhead in the Boise in November, which is fewer fish than in years past when more returned.
Sharr noted fisheries managers strike a balance between maintaining good fishing in the Snake River and providing an opportunity for anglers to catch steelhead in the Boise River.
“Traditionally, the Snake River has had good catch rates, and we’ve been able to maintain that and still provide fish for the Boise River,” Sharr said.
Fish and Game has been stocking steelhead in the Boise River since 1997, and Sharr said it provides opportunities for anglers who can’t easily travel to, or fish, Idaho’s larger rivers that have steelhead fishing.
The annual release of steelhead in the Boise River is a fall highlight, and anglers line the banks on stocking day and enjoy having the large fish available. Steelhead not only provide a fun and exciting fishing opportunity, nearly all of the released fish typically get harvested.
The fish will be stocked at five locations along the Boise River, including Glenwood Bridge, Americana Bridge, just below the Broadway Avenue Bridge behind Boise State University, at West Parkcenter Bridge and at Barber Park.  
Anglers should be aware that Fish and Game will be doing a major stream-bed improvement project in the Barber Dam area during November, which might interrupt some fishing there during fall and winter.
Anglers hoping to catch a steelhead need a fishing license and a $12.75 steelhead permit, which is good for 20 fish. Though required in other steelhead waters, barbless hooks are not required for Boise River steelhead angling.