Steelhead catch and release stats
Anglers' help needed for second year of wild steelhead study
Anglers can report tagged steelhead they catch to Fish and Game, and some have a cash reward
Steelhead anglers are once again asked to watch for tagged steelhead they might catch during the 2020-21 steelhead fishing seasons, and report tagged fish if they catch one.
Idaho Fish and Game and the University of Idaho are moving into the second year of a research project to study how often anglers catch wild steelhead, and how well those fish survive after being released.
Steelhead fishing in Idaho is important economically, culturally and recreationally. Steelhead seasons focus harvest on hatchery-origin fish, while at the same time, protecting wild fish. In Idaho, steelhead anglers must release any steelhead with an intact adipose fin, which identifies it as a wild fish, including tagged fish.
The most important data for the study comes from anglers. Reporting tagged steelhead is easy and provides critical information for this study. So as this year's steelhead run begins to move into Idaho, anglers are asked to continue looking out for and reporting fish with orange T-bar tags. To report a tag, go to idfg.idaho.gov/fish/tag/add.
"The study is dependent on anglers reporting when and where they catch and release tagged steelhead. We appreciate all anglers that reported tagged fish over the last year and look forward to seeing continued angler involvement and support in the study." said William Lubenau, the University of Idaho graduate student spearheading the research program. “Each reported fish is a valuable data point that furthers the understanding of the influence, or lack thereof, of catch-and-release angling on wild steelhead populations, which will be valuable information to better manage steelhead angling opportunities.”
Angler reports during the first year of the study have already provided some insights into the primary research objectives. Researchers tagged a total of 1,280 fish between July 1, 2019 to March 19, 2020. Of the 1,280 tagged fish, 254 were caught, released, and reported as of March 31, 2020. The reported tags have also provided information on other factors, like how often steelhead are caught more than once.
