Steelhead fishing closing in idaho

[G-S]

https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/letter-steelhead-anglers-fg-director-virgil-moore

Just came across this

[WSU]

Same thing that happened in Washington.  If the feds did their job and processed the permit, there would be no basis for these lawsuits.  The feds need to get their act together.

[Southpole]

Well that bites. We had signed up for the Women with Bait tournament in Riggins this early March. Good thing that huge house I rented is 100% refundable 30 days prior to check in  . The gal that's in charge was getting information that it might re open in the spring.

[WSU]

That would be light speed for the feds to do their permitting.  I’d look at how long the Puget Sound permits to get done following those lawsuits.

[n_mathews13]

Meateater did a podcast with a Fish and Game guy about it

[Ridgeratt]

https://www.khq.com/news/idaho-steelhead-fishing-to-remain-open-on-most-rivers/article_16395e2c-fb0e-11e8-aeb9-1735037579b2.html


LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) - Idaho wildlife officials have approved an agreement with conservation groups and sport anglers to keep most steelhead fishing areas open.
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to support the deal on Friday, the same day Idaho steelhead seasons were scheduled to close.
The Lewiston Tribune reports that portions of the South Fork of the Clearwater River and the Salmon River will remain closed.

[Ridgeratt]

Same thing that happened in Washington.  If the feds did their job and processed the permit, there would be no basis for these lawsuits.  The feds need to get their act together.

The snake is still open.

https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=2250


FISHING RULE CHANGE
WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
November 26, 2018


Snake River Steelhead Fishery Change

Action: Change the daily limit on steelhead to one hatchery fish.
Effective date: September 4, 2018, until further notice
Species affected: Steelhead
Location: Snake River from the mouth (Burbank to Pasco railroad bridge at Snake River mile 1.25) to the Oregon State line (approximately seven miles upstream of the mouth of the Grande Ronde River)
Reason for action: Action is being taken to limit steelhead impacts as the run-size has been reduced to 96,500 A/B Index steelhead from the pre-season forecast of 182,400 fish.
Additional information: This posting has been updated (November 26, 2018) to reflect that the Fall Chinook fishery closed November 1, 2018 as scheduled, while the steelhead limit remains at one hatchery fish until further notice.
WDFW will continue monitoring returns of fish to individual drainages through the use of PIT tags and modify seasons as necessary. Please continue to check emergency rules if you are planning to fish for steelhead within the affected area.

[tlbradford]

Here is the email I received an hour ago:

Idaho Fish and Game 4

Steelhead anglers can keep fishing!
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved an agreement to keep most steelhead fishing seasons open, but steelhead fishing closed in two new areas on Dec. 7.

Closure areas include:

The Main Salmon River between Warren Creek and the Copper Mine Boat Ramp.

South Fork of Clearwater River upstream of the Mount Idaho Grade Bridge.

The commission also acted to continue the one steelhead daily bag limit through the end of 2018 and into the 2019 spring season.


virigil
“I’m glad our anglers and outfitters can continue steelhead fishing,” Fish and Game Director Virgil Moore said. “It’s unfortunate that a delay in receiving federal authorization for our recreational steelhead fisheries created contention and hardship for river communities and anglers. This resolution achieves the commission’s objective to limit impacts to steelhead fishing as much as possible while we remain focused on finally receiving federal approval of our steelhead fishery plan for the long term.”


The continuance of steelhead fishing results from an agreement between Fish and Game, the Idaho River Community Alliance, Inc. and five groups that threatened to sue Idaho officials over the lack of federal authorization for steelhead fishing in the Snake, Salmon and Clearwater River systems.

Click here for more information about the continuing steelhead fishing seasons, including maps of closure areas.