Idaho Steelhead Returns Likely Lowest Ever

We are entering our “darkest hour” for Snake River and Columbia stocks of steelhead as thus far these are the worst returns on record.

As of August 16, wild steelhead runs for the entire Columbia Basin look terrible: The 2021 wild run is 16% of the best 10-year average (77,613 wild fish during 2001-2010). Consider that the best 10-year average for returns passing Bonneville Dam - the lowest dam in the Columbia system - is well below the official high-end goal of 131,500 for Idaho’s wild fish, set by the Columbia Basin Partnership, a diverse group of 31 representatives of state agencies, federal agencies, power, agriculture, shipping, water users, tribes and conservation groups. In short, we want over 100,000 fish coming to Idaho and we’re not even getting 75,000 for the whole Columbia system in the best of times. If those numbers are confusing we can put it this way: Idaho’s wild steelhead are signaling extinction. And this is despite the most expensive species recovery effort in world history, footed by all of us, tax- and rate-payers.

But hatchery fish are not fairing any better. For the third year anglers should expect added restrictions with possible closures as fisheries managers grapple with the potential lack of hatchery brood stock. Despite the economic hardship this causes for Idaho’s river communities, not to mention the lost opportunity for Idaho anglers, the biggest head scratcher is how much we spend on hatchery mitigation and how little we get to show for it.

Federal agencies National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) are spending billions to mitigate for their failure to bring back wild fish by stocking our rivers with hatchery fish. They can’t recover wild fish and they can’t bring back hatchery fish. In the midst of this epic waste of American tax- and rate-payer money by the feds, Idaho Senators Crapo and Risch and Representative Fulcher are tragically and frustratingly silent.

The fishing public often points the finger of blame at the state wildlife agencies, yet they can only manage under the guidelines and budget offered by the feds. The federal agencies must be held accountable for this boondoggle before it’s too late. That can only be done if congress decides to question if the resources spent and status quo management are worth changing. If ever there was a sign that we have to change course, surely the fact that we can’t even get our hatchery mitigation fish back to have a fishing season (which is why we have hatchery mitigation) is the best indicator.

Using your voice now is more important than ever. Our fish are redlining. Use the form below to send a personalized message to Crapo, Risch, and Fulcher to join Congressman Simpson in fixing this. Edit the email body as you see fit.