Angler effort on the upper Salmon River increased this past week, especially in location code 17 near Ellis, ID. Catch rates remained good downstream of North Fork in location code 15, and continued to improve upstream of Challis, ID in location codes 18 and 19 although angler effort in these areas remained low.
Angler effort downstream of the Middle Fork Salmon River in location code 14 was low, and bank anglers interviewed in this area did not report catching a steelhead. Anglers interviewed upstream of the Middle Fork Salmon River in location code 15 averaged 7 hours per steelhead caught. Anglers interviewed upstream of North Fork in location code 16 averaged 96 hours per steelhead caught, and anglers interviewed upstream of the Lemhi River in location code 17 averaged 41 hours per steelhead caught. Anglers interviewed upstream of the Pahsimeroi River in location code 18 averaged 12 hours per steelhead caught, and anglers interviewed upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19 averaged 12 hours per steelhead caught.
River conditions were stable throughout the week with cloudy visibility downstream of the Pahsimeroi River and clear visibility upstream of the Pahsimeroi River. Water temperatures continued to increase and by Sunday were in the mid 40s. Currently the Salmon River is flowing at 1,100 cfs through Salmon, ID which is 92% of average for today’s date.
Additionally, as of Monday, March 23rd the Sawtooth Hatchery has trapped 10 steelhead, and the Pahsimeroi Hatchery has trapped 217 hatchery steelhead.
Brent Beller
Fisheries Technician II
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
