Steelhead Fishing & Trolling in Washington
Every year thousands of hopeful anglers participate in the state of Washington's steelhead runs. Whether bank fishing or trolling, fishermen look forward with anticipation to hooking a mighty fighting steelhead. Steelhead are a favored sport fish for their strength and spirit.
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Steelheads Native To Washington State
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Washington state map Steelhead salmon (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are native to the Pacific Northwest. Landlocked steelheads are commonly called rainbow trout. Unlike salmon, steelheads can spawn several times. Some steelhead might die from the rigors of the journey, but many will go back to the sea and return again. Fishermen celebrate their return to the lakes, rivers and streams of Washington to spawn. In 1969, the state legislature named the steelhead as Washington's state fish.
Steelhead Season
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Like their salmon cousins, steelhead are driven by a strong natural urge to return to the place of their birth to spawn and lay eggs. But steelhead do not die upon spawning and might return several times to spawn in a lifetime. Steelhead travel thousands of miles from the time they are born, travel the ocean and return to spawn.
Steelhead from Washington migrate as far north as Alaska. When they return after two to four years, the fishermen are elated, ready to hook their limit. Two types of steelhead migrate to the ocean. Winter steelhead return from the ocean from early November to late April. Summer steelhead return from the ocean April through October.
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Cultural Significance of Steelhead
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Fishing rods on display. Steelhead are of significant spiritual and cultural importance to the Native American tribes of Washington and the Pacific Northwest. For hundreds of years the steelhead have been an essential part of the peoples food supply, played a major role in commerce/trade and have been an integral part of their religious beliefs.
Scientific reports from 1866 state that fish (primarily steelhead) made up three-fourths of the diet of the Northwest Indian peoples. Archaeological evidence confirms fishing on the Columbia River in northeastern Washington more than 9,000 years ago. For hundreds of years, the tribal people have had elaborate rituals and ceremonies in the celebration of the return of the sacred fish.
Back-Trolling For Steelhead
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Trolling at sunset for steelhead. To catch steelhead you have to find where they are running. The waters that are home to steelhead are often turbulent and murky as rain pounds down and washes sediment into the streams. Melting snowpack adds to the turbulence and sometimes drive steelhead into deeper waters.
Savvy anglers study the bends and pools in the river and attempt to determine the comfort zone where fish are to be found. Once determined, the angler will then work that area thoroughly and slowly by back-trolling.
Back-trolling is best accomplished by slowly rowing your boat upstream into the current, which creates a tension on the fishing line and puts the bait into the deepest and most productive pools. Repeated passes through a deep pond or drift will catch steelhead.
A Beautiful Fish
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Steelheads have bright rainbow colored markings and have mouth formations that strongly resemble a trout. Steelheads can grow up to 40 inches in length at maturity and might weigh as much as 20 pounds. Steelhead are an aggressive fighting fish, drawn by swift waters, and they are a challenge to attract, hook and land.
Washington Fishing Licenses
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Fishing licenses go on sale in Washington on April 1 of every year. Washington residents over 16 years of age are required to have a fishing license. Special discounted licenses are available for seniors (70 and older). Licenses can be purchased at convenience stores, bait shops, sporting goods stores and online at the state's interactive website. There are several different types of fishing licenses including clams, shellfish, saltwater and freshwater. Endorsements are required for salmon and steelhead. Visit the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife website for complete rules and regulations regarding fishing licenses for residents and non-residents.
WDFW - Licensing Division
600 Capitol Way N.
Olympia, WA 98501-1091
360-902-2464
licensing@dfw.wa.gov
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References
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- Photo Credit two trout kissing image by Scott Liddell from Fotolia.com washington state image by Dawngo from Fotolia.com fishing poles image by Scott McCarty from Fotolia.com fishing troll water lake sunset dusk sundown image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com
