Steelhead are
ocean-run rainbow
trout which return to run the
rivers in both the summer and winter seasons. They are usually
one to three years old when they return to spawn. Washington
winter-run Steelhead weighs from 5 to 10 pounds, but many are
also caught in the 15 to 20 pound range. An occasional fish is
caught near 30 pounds. The Washington state record is 32 pounds,
12 ounces, caught on the East Fork of the Lewis River in 1980.
Winter Steelhead tend to move quickly upriver to their spawning
grounds, stopping to rest in holding water, before moving on.
Learning to read what good holding water for Steelhead looks
like, is the first step to successful steelheading. These fish
often strike very softly, and detecting the bite is another
technique that must be learned by Steelhead fisherman.
Summer-run Steelhead are also common in many Washington
waters. The difference between a summer and winter-run is that
summer-run steelhead stay in the river longer. The summer fish
stay in the river through the fall and early winter before
spawning. They tend to be more active and feisty, sometimes
slamming a fly and taking off on spectacular runs. Typical
summer Steelhead weigh in the 5 to 15 pound range. Summer
Steelhead holding water is usually different than winter holding
water, partly due to the difference in the water levels and
conditions in the summer. Summer runs look for good cover, a
break from the strong current, and plenty of highly oxygenated
water. They present a bigger challenge than winter-run fish in
the respect that the rivers are lower and clearer, making the
fish spookier. As water conditions change, so do the holding
spots for these fish.
Most Washington rivers are stocked with hatchery bred stocks
of Steelhead to supplement the wild stocks. The hatchery-bred
fish usually enter the rivers earlier than the wild stocks, so
timing your fishing trip may be dependent on which fish you are
going for. You should also be aware that Washington's
complicated fishing regulations usually have restrictions on the
taking of wild Steelhead. Be aware of Washington's regulations
before keeping any fish.
Download the 2008-2009 Washington Fishing Rules pamphlet for
specific information.
These are few of the good Washington rivers for steelhead:
Cowlitz River, Skykomish River, Bogachiel River, East Fork
Lewis River, Snoqualmie River, Hoh River, Sol Duc River, Skagit
River, Quinault River, Kalama River, Snake River.
For information and rules in other regions and
Canada, see the following links:
Oregon,
Great Lakes,
British
Columbia.
See also:
By Dr. David Burns
and
by Steve Burke
Another good site for information about Steelhead, is WDFW's
Salmon Facts page.
