Spring Fishing Report

Updated: March 23, 2009

This report highlights a few of the best places to fish, what anglers are using and what they are catching. The information is compiled from regional Fish and Game fishery managers, local tackle shops and anglers.

The Salmon River is currently running cloudy to muddy because of recent run-off. This has slowed steelhead fishing down somewhat, but anglers are still enjoying time on the river. Water temperatures are warming to between 40 - 44 degrees.

Over the weekend anglers fishing in section 15 from the mouth of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River to North Fork had catch rates of 20 hours per fish caught and 25 hours per fish kept.

Catch rates in section 16 from North Fork to the mouth of the Lemhi River were similar at 20 hours per fish caught and 33 hours per fish kept.

Most anglers concentrated their efforts in section 17 from the mouth of the Lemhi River to the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River. Catch rates in this section were 39 hours per fish caught and 55 hour per fish kept.

Fishing in section 18 was downright dismal due to water conditions.

Clear water contributed to much better catch rates in section 19 from the mouth of the East Fork of the Salmon River upstream. Anglers had catch rates of 4 hours per fish caught and 14 hours per fish kept.

Don't forget to check with the tackle shop nearest your fishing destination for bait, tackle, additional fishing tips and information on local fishing waters.