Steelhead fishing
Oncorhynchus mykiss. Same species as rainbow trout, but steelhead migrate to sea and return to spawn, while rainbow trout stay in fresh water for life.
Steelhead fishing uses an inline spinner or a cured salmon roe on 8 to 12 lb line and a rod about 8.5 feet. Hatchery steelhead are released as smolts that migrate to sea and return one to three years later as adults, unlike catchable-size hatchery trout.
Published by Fishypedia · Sources last checked September 19, 2026
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
- Active times
- –
- Line
- 8–12 lb
- Hook sizes
- –
- Stocked in
- 4 states
- Peak in AK
- August
Identification
- Same species as rainbow trout, but steelhead migrate to sea and return to spawn, while rainbow trout stay in fresh water for life.
- Dark spots scattered over the entire body, including the tail, with slight to pronounced pink to rainbow coloring along the sides.
- Average 8 to 11 pounds and up to about 40 inches, though fish over 30 pounds are documented.
- Unlike most Pacific salmon, steelhead don't necessarily die after spawning and can survive to spawn again in later years.
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 19, 2026 , fisheries.noaa.gov, accessed September 19, 2026
Top lures
Top baits
Line & tackle
- Line
- 8–12 lb
- Rod power
- Rod about 8.5 feet, rated for 8- to 12-pound test line, with a medium-heavy action (Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife)
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 19, 2026 , myodfw.com, accessed September 19, 2026
Stocked behavior
Hatchery steelhead are released as smolts that migrate to sea and return one to three years later as adults, unlike catchable-size hatchery trout. Because steelhead don't necessarily die after spawning, a hatchery-origin fish caught well upriver may already be a repeat spawner rather than a first-time returner, a trait that sets it apart from every Pacific salmon species.
Common mistakes
- Drifting too far off the bottom; ODFW advises keeping your lure or bait near the bottom and methodically fishing every part of a run or pool.
Best time to fish Steelhead
Most commonly stocked in August in Alaska, based on 31 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in September in Idaho, based on 78 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in April in New York, based on 532 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in December in Washington, based on 43 stocking events on record.
Where it's stocked
45 locations shown. Tap a pin for details. · Open this area in Google Maps
Alaska
Idaho
New York
State records
| State | Weight | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 30.13 lbs | Keith Powell | Clearwater River | 1973 |
| Washington | 35.06 lbs | Gilbert Pierson | Snake River, Whitman County | 1973 |
Common questions
What lures work for Steelhead?
Inline spinner, a spinner in silver, chartreuse, and orange. Diving plug (wobbling crankbait), a crankbait in chrome, metallic red, and fluorescent orange. Marabou or yarn jig under a float, a jig in pink, black, and orange. Streamer fly (egg or leech pattern), a fly in black, purple, and pink.
What bait works for Steelhead?
Cured salmon roe (egg cluster).
How big do Steelhead get?
The Idaho record is 30.13 lbs from Clearwater River in 1973. The Washington record is 35.06 lbs from Snake River, Whitman County in 1973.