Idaho fisheries managers forecast poor steelhead return

Fisheries managers for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game say they expect another poor return of steelhead to the Snake River and its tributaries.

The Lewiston Tribune reports they also predict low numbers of B-run steelhead bound for the Clearwater River.

Biologist Alan Byrne in Boise says the state expects 60,700 steelhead to return at least as far as Lower Granite Dam this fall.

That includes 55,100 A-run steelhead that spend one year in the ocean and 5,600 B-run steelhead that usually spend two years at sea.

Byrne says the A-run will include about 35,950 hatchery fish that have had their adipose fins clipped, making them available for harvest.

He said the B-run likely will be similar to 2017 returns when the harvest of bigger steelhead was restricted.