Upper Salmon River Fall 2024 Steelhead Fishing Update by IDFG 10.29.24
By angelamontana

Posted: October 29, 2024

This is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing update for the week of October 21 through October 27, 2024.

Angler effort along the Upper Salmon River continued to increase last week as many anglers got out to enjoy the warmer weather, especially over the weekend. The largest increase in angler effort was observed downstream of North Fork, but we also saw angler effort begin to increase around Salmon ID.

Average catch rates were similar to what was reported last week, with all monitored areas at, or below, 20 hours per steelhead caught. Anglers interviewed downstream of the Middle Fork Salmon River in location code 14 averaged 20 hours per steelhead caught, and anglers interviewed downstream of North Fork in location code 15 averaged 18 hours per steelhead caught. Anglers interviewed downstream of the Lemhi River in location code 16 averaged 16 hours per steelhead caught. Relatively few interviews were obtained from anglers fishing upstream of the Lemhi River in location code 17, but anglers that were interviewed in that area averaged 6 hours per steelhead caught.

USR Creel Data 10-29-2024

Table showing unexpanded steelhead creel data for the week of 10/21/2024 to 10/27/2024.

River conditions were stable throughout last week with good clarity and water temperatures in the mid-40s (figure below). The Salmon River is currently flowing at 1,100 cfs through the town of Salmon, ID which is 83 percent of average for today’s date.

 

USGS Gauge nr Shoup - discharge 10-29-2024

Figure showing Salmon River discharge at the USGS site near Shoup, ID for the past 30 days from 9/29/2024 to 10/29/2024.
USGS Gauge nr Shoup - temp 10-29-24

Figure showing Salmon River water temperatures at the USGS site near Shoup, ID from 10/22/2024 to 10/29/2024.
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