STEELHEAD FISHING

Steelhead have been called the ultimate game fish. These elusive and challenging fish can test an angler’s patience and persistence, but the reward is hooking into a fish that is famous worldwide for its line-peeling runs and spectacular, acrobatic fight.

For the Oregon angler, there’s an opportunity to fish for steelhead almost every day of the year – from the frigidly cold waters of a north coast stream in January to a sun-baked desert river in central.

Cleaning, freezing and cooking steelhead:

Not only are steelhead challenging and hard-fighting, they are good eating too. In fact, many aficionados prefer fresh steelhead to salmon. There are many ways and hundreds of recipes to prepare fresh steelhead – baked, grilled or smoked; sweet, salty or spicy.

License requirements:

In addition to a fishing license, steelhead anglers need to purchase a Combined Angling Tag (steelhead, salmon, sturgeon and Pacific halibut). Anglers also can purchase Hatchery Harvest Tags that authorize the harvest of additional hatchery fish.

Where do I buy a Combined Angling Tag or Punch card/Report card?

You can buy them at any store that sells fishing licenses. Combined Angling Tag is the proper term for Oregon and Punch card/Report card for California.

Visit these websites for more information per state: