Clearwater Region Fishing Information

Weekly Fishing Report Updated: July 23, 2008 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. Other general regional information is available below. Steelhead Catch and release steelhead season opened July 1 and the steelhead are slowly making their way into Idaho. The fishing is good and if you prefer to avoid the crowds, now is the time to hit the river. Most anglers are fishing at night with lighted lures, and a few folks are fishing in the morning with flatfish or wiggle warts. The fishing should continue to improve as more fish make their way into Idaho. Bass Bass is still good on the Snake River. Try using bait, baited jigs, and crankbaits near rocky structures. Bass anglers are also doing okay on Dworshak Reservoir near Grandad, with many fish in the 5-6 pound range. Sturgeon Anglers have been fishing for sturgeon on the Snake above Lewiston. Sturgeon anglers should practice low-impact techniques that include pinching hook barbs down, using circle-hooks instead of J-hooks and never remove sturgeon from the water. All sturgeon caught in Idaho must be released immediately. Kokanee Kokanee fishing on Dworshak Reservoir has been excellent. The fish have moved up the reservoir past Dent. Boat anglers are trolling slowly with weighted line or 1-3oz weights with standard spinner-gear with hooks baited with maggots, mealworms, or corn. Trout The trout fishing is excellent in the local rivers and streams and the trout are eager to bite. The Lochsa and the North Fork of the Clearwater were fishing very well. Fly anglers should try dry flies, including adams and hoppers. There are also some nice rainbows being caught on the Snake River up Hells Canyon. Lowland Lakes Mann Lake near Lewiston, Winchester Lake near Winchester, Waha Lake and Soldiers Meadow Reservoir near Waha, Spring Valley Reservoir near Troy, Moose Creek Reservoir near Bovill, and Elk Creek Reservoir near Elk River all offer a variety of species including trout, catfish, bluegill, and bass. Most of these waters have been stocked with catchable rainbow trout and offer great places to take the family. When fishing with kids, the first thing to remember is that you are the expert. Be positive, make it fun and remember: It's not just your fishing trip - it's their fishing tip too. Consider it as an investment with payoffs in the future. If you do it right, pay-back time will come years later when they take you fishing. Check out our Clearwater Region Family Fishing Waters program [PDF, 630 KB], with family-oriented fishing opportunities and simplified rules. Anglers must have a valid 2008 license and are reminded to check the 2008 fishing rules brochure for any restrictions and limits.

General Regional Information - Summer 2008

All Idaho steelhead are summer run fish, which means they leave the ocean in the late summer, with most of the fish arriving in Idaho by early fall. These fish will then spend the winter in the Snake, Salmon and Clearwater Rivers, and spawn the following spring.

Fish managers have broadly grouped Idaho steelhead into two types, which we have termed "A" run, and "B" run. A-run steelhead originate mainly from the Snake and Salmon Rivers and typically spend one or two years in the ocean, returning as 5 to 10 pound adults. B-run fish originate primarily from the Clearwater River, and typically spend two to three years in the ocean, returning as 10 to 20 pound adults. The average steelhead return for the last ten years to Lower Granite Dam has been about 121,000 fish.

In recent years, federal water managers have been using cold water released from Dworshak Reservoir in July and August to generate power and to help young salmon migrate to the ocean. These water releases have created a unique summer steelhead fishery on the lower Clearwater River. Because these releases make the Clearwater River much colder than the Snake River, most of the early migrating steelhead move up into the lower Clearwater for a month or so until water temperatures in the Snake River go down. This can produce some outstanding fishing for very fresh steelhead in July and August on the lower ten miles of the Clearwater.

Catch and release steelhead fishing opens on the Clearwater River July 1, and opens August 1 everywhere else. Anglers who want to keep a fish can do so on August 1, when the Clearwater River below the Memorial Bridge at Lewiston opens for harvest. The rest of the Clearwater remains catch and release until October 15. Harvest season on the Snake and Salmon Rivers open September 1. The bag limit on the Clearwater River is now 2 fish per day during the fall season, but returns to 3 fish per day during the spring season. The bag limit for both the fall and spring seasons on the Snake and Salmon Rivers are 3 fish per day.

Before you go, take a look at the steelhead regulations and especially remember the "Big Three":

• Pinch your barbs down on all hooks you use;
• Immediately release any steelhead you catch with an unclipped adipose fin;
• Immediately validate your steelhead permit upon retaining a legal steelhead.

Steelhead anglers are also reminded to know the difference between a salmon and a steelhead. There can be a lot of fall chinook salmon and some coho salmon in the Snake and lower Clearwater Rivers in the late summer and early fall. Both species of salmon are closed to harvest and must be released immediately.

Both coho and chinook salmon have black mouths, while steelhead have white mouths. Coho can be differentiated from chinook by the gumline. Coho have a white gumline, while the chinook's gumline is black. Some of these protected salmon may have a clipped adipose fin so it is critical that anglers be able to identify their catch. Remember, "If the mouth is black, put it back!"

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Summer can provide some fine fishing at our lowland lakes in the region. They all provide great fishing opportunities for stocked rainbow trout, and most also have good populations of warmwater fish, such as largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish and yellow perch. Algae and aquatic plants can build up at some of these lakes in the summer, so prepare for some messy fishing. Try small bobbers with light line to keep your bait clear of the bottom.

Below is a list of regional waters and some the fish you might expect to encounter at each:

• Deer Creek Reservoir - Near Pierce, Idaho. It is the state's newest fishing water. Excellent populations of stocked rainbow and cutthroat trout. The reservoir will be open all year to fishing, but because of wildlife related road restrictions, the access road will be open to motorized vehicles May 20-September 30 annually. Outside of those dates, anglers and other lake users will need to make a hike of about half a mile to reach the lake.
• Elk Creek Reservoir - Near Elk River, Idaho. Good populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, brook trout, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.
• Fenn Pond - Near Fenn Ranger Station on the lower Selway River. Family Fishing Water. Stocked with rainbow trout in the spring.
• Mann Lake - Near Lewiston, Idaho. Mann Lake is an irrigation reservoir and is usually drawn down in the late summer, but it is at full pool in the spring and early summer. Good populations of largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish, channel catfish, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.
• Moose Creek Reservoir - Near Bovill, Idaho. Family Fishing Water. Good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.
• Soldier's Meadow Reservoir - 20 miles south of Lewiston. Soldier's Meadow is an irrigation reservoir and is usually drawn down in late summer. Good populations of black crappie and stocked rainbow trout.
• Spring Valley Reservoir - Near Troy, Idaho. Family Fishing Water. Good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.
• Tolo Lake - Near Grangeville, Idaho. It is a fairly turbid natural lake but has been stocked with white crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish.
• Waha Lake - South of Lewiston, Idaho. Waha is a natural lake and has fair populations of smallmouth bass and stocked rainbow trout.
• Winchester Lake - Near Winchester, Idaho. Family Fishing Water. It has excellent populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, and stocked rainbow trout. Visitors to Winchester Lake will notice numerous floating structures on the lake. These are part of an experimental project to improve water quality and fishing by oxygenating the deeper portions of the lake. Boats are restricted to electric motors only.
• Dworshak Reservoir - Near Orofino, Idaho. Water levels are usually down 60 feet or so in the early spring but rise to nearly full pool by June. The best kokanee fishing of the year can be had in April, May and June, with fishing usually starting to get good in mid to late March. Most of the early action is between the dam and Dent Bridge. Our latest kokanee population surveys last fall revealed good numbers of fish, so anglers should expect some great fishing this spring. Rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing can be very good in the spring also. Look for the best action at the mouths of tributary streams.

  Smallmouth bass anglers usually start doing well with the onset of warmer weather. The last two years have seen intense interest in the bass fishery, as in 2006 at least two smallmouth over nine pounds were caught in the reservoir. Both of these fish shattered the old state record by over a pound, with the biggest fish pushing the record to 9 pounds, 11 ounces.

  At 17,000 surface acres and 54 miles long at full pool, Dworshak Reservoir is the largest lake in the Region. It boasts excellent populations of kokanee salmon, rainbow and cutthroat trout, and smallmouth bass. Dworshak Reservoir from the dam upstream to Grandad Bridge is open to fishing all year, but above Grandad the fishing season runs from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to November 30. The trout limit in this part of the reservoir is 6 per day, but only 2 of those can be cutthroat. Anglers may also incidentally catch a bull trout in Dworshak Reservoir and are reminded that they are closed to harvest. The IDFG fishing regulation pamphlet has a good fish identification key on page 18.

  The Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Army Corps of Engineers started a nutrient enhancement program last spring on Dworshak Reservoir. This exciting project essentially involves adding specific nutrients in specific doses to bring the overall nutrient levels in the lake into balance, and promises to improve water quality and fish growth. Results so far have indicated that densities of high quality zooplankton favored by kokanee increased substantially after the first couple of treatments. Bi-weekly treatments are scheduled throughout this summer, and IDFG will be monitoring the progress on the treatments throughout the year.

  As mentioned above, federal water managers usually begin drawing down Dworshak Reservoir in mid-July to generate power and to use the cool water releases to help young salmon migrate to the ocean. In recent years, the reservoir has been drawn down as much as 80 feet by mid-September. Boat ramps at Canyon Creek and Grandad usually become unusable during late summer, but ramps at Bruce's Eddy, Dent, and Dworshak State Park are still useable. The drawdown can also make access to remote campsites more difficult.

  Look for some outstanding kokanee fishing through mid-August, when most of the larger spawners start to head up the North Fork. As the summer progresses; the fishing is usually better in the upper portions of the reservoir. Our latest kokanee population surveys have again shown good numbers of fish this spring, and fish have been averaging 10-12 inches. Rainbow and cutthroat trout can be caught this time of year in the reservoir, with better catches coming from the upper portions of the lake.

  The last two years have seen outstanding bass fishing in the reservoir, with several smallmouth over 6 pounds being caught. In 2006 at least two smallmouth over nine pounds were caught. Both of these fish shattered the old state record by over a pound, with the biggest fish pushing the record to 9 pounds, 11 ounces. Interest in bass fishing was very high this spring, and promises to continue into the summer.

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Summer is the prime time for fishing the Clearwater Region's diverse offering of rivers and streams. From world class westslope cutthroat fishing in wilderness settings to sturgeon and bass fishing in Hell's Canyon, the Region has no shortage of fishing opportunities on flowing water.

For native westslope cutthroat fishing, head to the North Fork Clearwater, Selway or Lochsa Rivers, as well as most of their tributaries. Summertime finds these rivers fishable and full of agressive fish. Fishing is usually best in the morning, when the water temperatures are the coolest. To protect these outstanding fisheries, most of these rivers have harvest and gear restrictions on them, so be sure to check the regulations before you go. Higher water temperatures of summer usually mean more stress for caught and released fish, so anglers are urged to use a few tactics to maximize survival of fish they catch:

• play the fish quickly
• wet your hands before touching the fish
• minimize the fish's time out of the water
• revive the fish by holding it in the water, with its mouth open facing into the current, for a moment before releasing it.

The Snake and lower Salmon Rivers both have excellent smallmouth bass populations and summer is a great time to catch them. Smallmouths usually average about 10-12 inches in these rivers, but many fish over 5 lbs are caught every year. The Salmon River below Riggins and the Snake River below Hell's Canyon Dam have the best populations.

Fishing for channel catfish is also a popular activity in the Lewiston area. The channel catfish here average 3-5 lbs but 15 pounders are not uncommon. There are several miles of levees in Lewiston with excellent access for catfishing.

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White Sturgeon
Both the Snake and lower Salmon rivers offer one of the most unique freshwater fishing experiences you can have anywhere: fishing for white sturgeon. The Clearwater Region has the best population of white sturgeon in Idaho in the 105 miles of free-flowing Snake River from Lewiston upstream to Hell's Canyon Dam.

The most recent studies there estimated that there are from 3 to 6 thousand sturgeon between 2 and 11 feet in this area. Over half of the fish are less than 3 feet long, indicating that there is good reproduction in this stretch. Smaller numbers of sturgeon are found in the lower Salmon River. White sturgeon grow very slowly and can live to be over 80 years old. Because of this, since 1970 the sturgeon fishery has been managed under a strict catch and release regulation.

Sturgeon angling continues to be more popular in Idaho every year. As the number of anglers increases, so does the importance of treating hooked fish properly to insure their survival. If you decide to try your hand at this exciting sport, please use the following tips to ensure you are practicing "low-impact" sturgeon fishing and treating these ancient fish with the respect they deserve:

Hook 'Em Right: (Keep the fish from swallowing the hook)

• Use non-offset circle hooks-sizes 7/0 to 13/0. Non-offset circle hooks offer a tremendous advantage over traditional J-hooks because fish are almost never hooked deeply when using them. An additional advantage of these hooks is that fish rarely become unhooked during the fight. Circle hooks are very different than J-hooks and require a couple of different techniques to hook a sturgeon. First, let the fish mouth the bait a few seconds longer than you would with a J-hook, and second, don’t set the hook. Instead, simply start reeling until you come tight on the fish. The hook will catch on the corner of the mouth as you smoothly tighten the line. For those not yet ready to make the switch to circle hooks, it is especially critical to hook the fish quickly before it has a chance to swallow the bait.
• Pinch the barb-(It’s the law). Pinch the barb down on your hook to ease hook removal and minimize the damage to a sturgeon’s fleshy mouth.
• Rig it right. Tie your sinker to a dropper line on a sliding swivel, using at least ten pound test lighter line than your main line. This will minimize the chances of leaving a baited hook rig snagged to the bottom if you break off. We suspect that this “ghost gear” is getting to be a real problem in some popular fishing holes.

Play 'Em Fast: (Avoid overstressing the fish during the fight)

• 50-80 lb test monofilament lines or 130-150 lb test superbraid lines should be considered the minimum size to use. Monofilament has advantages in that it has much higher abrasion resistance and its stretch makes it much more forgiving when fighting large fish.
• Use heavy gear properly sized to fight powerful fish weighing up to 400 pounds and land the fish as quickly as possible. Lactic acid can build up in the fish’s muscles during long fights. A good sturgeon reel needs to be very well built, have a very smooth drag, and hold at least 250 yards of the proper line.
• Choose your fishing spot carefully. Be realistic about the chances of landing a large sturgeon when choosing a fishing hole, especially when fishing without a boat. Ask yourself if you will be able to follow the fish if it leaves the hole. Try to avoid having to tell the story of being spooled, leaving 200 yards or more of expensive line hooked to a fish.

Release 'Em Easy: (Ensure the fish will survive to fight another day)

• Keep the fish in the water-(It’s the law). Don’t pull the fish up on the rocks for a photo. Pulling the fish on the rocks will remove the fish’s layer of protective mucous and often will open cuts in the fish’s skin, which can lead the way to an infection. The best way to get a great sturgeon photo is to get in the water with the fish. In cold weather, this usually means having some waders handy. Keep water flowing over the gills at all times when removing the hook or snapping a picture.
• Don’t tie the fish by the tail. A tail-roped fish can easily be injured, especially if it starts thrashing.
• Revive a played-out fish by holding its mouth open in the current so water flows over its gills until it wants to swim away. A tired sturgeon will almost always remain calm when you hold them by the mouth upside down in the water. Keep your hands out of their gills at all times.

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For many backcountry hikers, summer in the Clearwater Region means backcountry hikes and high lake fishing. Mountain lakes offer very diverse fishing experiences throughout the region. The Clearwater Region has over 250 mountain lakes with fish populations, most of which are located in the southern and eastern portion of the region. Westslope cutthroat, brook trout, and rainbow trout are the most common game fish in our mountain lakes. Those lakes without adequate natural reproduction are stocked with westslope cutthroat fry on a three year rotation.

Almost all of these mountain lakes are on either Clearwater or Nez Perce National Forest Service land. A Clearwater or Nez Perce National Forest map is the best way to start a mountain lake adventure, as access to mountain lakes can range from a 15 minute hike to a 15 mile trek.