Oregon

Cleaning, freezing and cooking steelhead you quick freeze the fish first – place uncovered fish
Not only are steelhead challenging and hard-fighting, on a sheet of aluminum foil in the freezer to freeze it as
they are good eating too. In fact, many aficionados prefer quickly as possible.
fresh steelhead to salmon. There are many ways and The best method for keeping fish in the freezer is to

Steelhead Fishing
hundreds of recipes to prepare fresh steelhead – baked, vacuum seal it, which protects the fish from freezer burn.
grilled or smoked; sweet, salty or spicy. Quick freeze the fish, then seal it in a vacuum seal bag.
Vacuum sealed frozen fish should be eaten within three
or four months.
Cleaning and freezing your catch
Your catch should be cleaned and gutted as soon as Another way to protect fish from freezer burn is to Steelhead have been called the ultimate game fish. These elusive and challenging fish can
possible. After removing the guts and gills, cut the kidney freeze it in a block of water. Quick freeze individual test an angler’s patience and persistence, but the reward is hooking into a fish that is famous
membrane along the backbone and scrape away the portions, place each in a zip lock freezer back, fill with worldwide for its line-peeling runs and spectacular, acrobatic fight.
blood using your thumbnail or a spoon. Removing the water and freeze.

F
internal organs and gills promptly helps prevent bacteria than their summer-run
Finally, if you’re going to be eating the fishing within two or the Oregon angler,
and blood clots from tainting or discoloring the meat. cousins. Winter steelhead
weeks you can double wrap quick frozen fish tightly in there’s an opportunity
If you don’t plan to eat your fish in a day or two, you’ll plastic (squeeze out as much air as possible) and then begin their migration in
to fish for steelhead almost
want to freeze it. Most freezing methods work best if in freezer paper. late fall and early winter
every day of the year –
with some fish continuing
from the frigidly cold waters
to migrate well into spring.
of a north coast stream in
Winter steelhead spawn
January to a sun-baked
shortly after entering their
desert river in central

Classic steelhead recipes Oregon in August.

License
natal stream.
Unlike the other salmonids,
steelhead are not pre-
In 1993, to commemorate 100 years of fish and wildlife management in Oregon, a collection of recipes was requirements determined to die after
compiled from both past and present employees of ODFW and their family members. In addition to a fishing spawning and may live
license, steelhead anglers to spawn multiple times.
The cookbook was called Recipes from the Wild Side and it included the following steelhead recipes: need to purchase a After the eggs have been
Combined Angling Tag deposited in the spring, the
(steelhead, salmon, fry emerge in summer and
GOURMET STEELHEAD MCKENZIE RIVER STEELHEAD sturgeon and Pacific Patience and presentation lead to the catch of a fine late-season may spend the next one
halibut). Anglers also can summer steelhead on the Deschutes River. to three years in fresh
steelhead fillets, skinned Start with fresh steelhead caught in the McKenzie purchase Hatchery Harvest Tags that authorize the water prior to migrating to the ocean.
1 medium onion, chopped River (other steelhead will do!). Fillet and place on a harvest of additional hatchery fish.
½ lb. margarine piece of foil. Take dry Italian salad dressing, shake The table below describes the run timing of winter and
½ c sliced almonds well, open package and sprinkle over the fish. Wrap summer steelhead on some of Oregon’s best steelhead
1 fresh lemon, juiced (2 if cooking large amount the fish with foil. Of course, this is best cooked over When and where to fish fishing rivers. In addition, the ODFW weekly Recreation
of fish) the grill, in the backyard, on a sunny day but you can There are two main runs of steelhead in Oregon, known Report (www.dfw.state.or.us) describes the latest river
1 c. sweet white wine also bake in the oven at 350 degrees. Either way as “summer” and “winter” runs. The type of steelhead run and fishing conditions for dozens of steelhead rivers in
should take from 20 to 30 minutes, depending on is determined by the season of the year the fish enter Oregon.
Saute onion in margarine, add lemon juice and wine.
your preference. freshwater. Some river systems have both types of runs
Add fish and cook over medium heat until done. Fishing techniques
While fish is cooking, sauté ½ cup sliced almonds Contributed by Tim and Pat Wright while other streams may have one or the other. Both
Anglers can choose from a variety of techniques when
in a small amount of margarine, being careful not winter and summer run fish spawn in the spring, but they
Leaburg, OR fishing for steelhead, but regardless of the type of gear
to burn. When fish is done, remove to serving each enter the river at different times and at different
used, there are three keys to catching a steelhead:
platter, pouring onion and wine mixture over the fish. stages of reproductive maturity.
Sprinkle the almonds over fish an serve. n Spend time on the water. Get to know a river and
As their name suggests, summer steelhead begin
hone your technique and you will land more fish than
Contributed by Jim and Janice Haas migrating to their natal streams as early as March in
if you chase after every “hot lead.”
Wilsonville, OR some streams near the coast, and as late as October/
November in some rivers in eastern Oregon. They will n Cover water efficiently. Keep your lure or bait near the
remain in the river for several months before spawning. bottom and methodically fish every part of a
All steelhead returning to rivers east of the Cascade run or pool
Mountains are considered summer run fish.
http://www.dfw.state.or.us n Maintain a positive attitude. Have confidence in the
Winter steelhead migrate into freshwater when they are water you’re fishing and the lure/bait you’re using.
closer to reproductive maturity and are generally larger This can help you stay alert for possible strikes.
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
Bobber and jig/bait -- A good technique for Equipment
both bank and beginning steelhead anglers. Oregon’s Top Steelhead Rivers Most steelhead rods tend to be a little
A weighted jig or bait is tied below a floating lighter and more sensitive than salmon
bobber and drifted in the current. When the River Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Notes
Alsea River XX XX XX XX Typically peaks mid January to mid February.
rods. A good all-purpose rod might be an 8
bobber dives, stops or wobbles, set the hook! Big Creek/Gnat Creek XX XX XX XX XX Small streams, can be good when other rivers are high. ½ footer rated for 8-12 pound test line with
Chetco River and Bay XX XX XX XX a medium heavy action. Most experienced
Clackamas River XX XX XX XX XX X X X X X XX XX Season peaks in February and March.
Drift fishing – The bait or lure is bounced Columbia River, lower X X X X anglers prefer a bait casting set-up over a
along the bottom with the help of a significant Coos River XX XX XX XX spinning set-up.
weight. The key is to keep the bait near the Coquille River XX XX XX XX

bottom of the water and drifting along at the

Deschutes River X X X X X X Of course there also are specialized rods
Eagle Creek (Clackamas) XX XX XX XX Season peaks in January and February.
same speed as the current. Getting a natural Elk River (Curry Co.) XX XX XX
for different fishing techniques (pulling
presentation and detecting the subtle takes Grande Ronde River X X X X X X X plugs, bobber/jig, fly-fishing, etc.) and
of steelhead make this a difficult technique
Hood River XX XX XX XX XX X X X if you’re purchasing a rod for steelhead
John Day River X X X X X X
to master. But its effectiveness makes it one Kilchis River XX XX XX XX XX XX Early returning hatchery fish; wild fish January – mid-April. fishing you should consider a number
of the most widely-used steelhead fishing Klaskanine River XX XX XX XX of things:
McKenzie River X X X X X X X
techniques. Mid-Fork Willamette X X X X X X X n Type of fishing you’ll be doing the
most (drift fishing, plunking, pulling
Necanicum River XX XX XX XX XX Opportunity for wild fish from mid-January through March.
Plunking – A heavy weight holds bait or Nehalem River XX XX XX XX XX Primarily a fishery for late returning wild fish. plugs, etc.)
spinner-type bobber stationary in the current Nehalem River, No. Fork XX XX XX XX XX XX Opportunity for wild fish from mid-January through March.
n Size of the lure to be cast
Nestucca River XX XX XX X X X X X X X XX XX Steelhead available year round.
near the bottom of a river. This is a great Rogue River XX XX XX XX X X X X X XX
technique when water levels are very high Sandy River XX XX XX XX X X X X XX
n Type of reel (bait casting, spinning)
and steelhead are holding or traveling in soft Santiam River, So. Fork X X X X X X
n Size of line (#12, #20)
Siletz River XX XX XX X X X X X X XX Steelhead available year round.
waters near the bank. Good for beginners or Siuslaw River XX XX XX XX Season peaks late January into March.
anglers with limited mobility. Snake River X X X X X X
n Rod length (casting on large streams,
Tenmile/Eel Creek XX XX XX XX small streams with lots of brush, fishing
Spinners – Many anglers are familiar with
Tillamook River & Bay XX XX XX XX from a boat)
Trask River XX XX XX XX X X X X X X XX XX Some hatchery steelhead available year round.
the cast and retrieve method, but those that Umpqua River, No. Fork XX XX XX XX X X X X X X X n Warranty
Umpqua River, So. Fork XX XX XX XX XX
master the cast and swing presentation often Willamette River, lower XX XX XX X X X XX XX Season peaks December through February.
have better luck with steelhead. This involves Wilson River XX XX XX X X X X XX XX Some steelhead available year round.
casting the spinner slightly upstream and X = summer steelhead
XX = winter steelhead
letting if drift naturally in the current and then Note: Summer and winter steelhead runs often overlap to some degree in the spring and late fall in rivers with both summer and winter steelhead populations.
“swing” toward the bank.

Pulling plugs (aka hot-shotting, backtrolling) – A Fly fishing – A challenging but rewarding technique for
plug is a plastic lure designed to dive and wiggle in the targeting steelhead. Anglers use single or double-handed

Steelhead Fishing Ethics

current. While they are often pulled behind a boat where rods to swing flies through the current, or a nymph/
they can move and wiggle in the water as the boat drifts indicator rig to drift a nymph near the bottom.
downstream, plugs also can be cast from the bank and
slowly swung in the current.

S teelhead fishing is very popular in Oregon and

chances are you’re going to be sharing a run or
pool with another angler. A certain steelhead fishing n
to leave as much room as you would like
another angler to leave you.
A new angler typically steps into a pool or
etiquette has evolved that helps create an enjoyable run upstream (or above) the other angler’s
fishing experience for all. Some key elements position because most steelhead anglers
include: gradually move downstream in order to
n If you’re fishing from a boat, be sure to give bank cover the entire run. If you’re not sure what
anglers plenty of room. And don’t anchor in the direction another angler is moving, ask them.
middle of hole if there are people fishing it from Most anglers are happy to have
the bank. you follow them through a run.

n Leave plenty of room between you and your

n Treat all anglers the way you
neighbor on the bank. A good rule of thumb is would like to be treated.