The fins of hatchery-reared steelhead are clipped before stocking. This was the second year anglers had to release all wild steelhead. For several years before that, anglers had to release all steelhead under 28 inches. No-kill regulation helping The obvious results of letting fish live to return again to spawn have been promising. Unlike related Pacific salmon, which die after spawning once, steelhead can survive to spawn repeatedly.
Older fish are bigger and produce more eggs.
In 1999, the Knife River trap captured 382 wild steelhead, in addition to 124 hatchery rainbows. Although down slightly from the 384 wild steelhead taken in 1998, it was a good showing considering that a June 1996 flood devastated that year's production, washing away fry before they were large enough to survive. Those fish would have returned this year as adults. Nevertheless, the 1999 return was 40 percent higher than the 1997 run, the first year the Knife River trap was fully operational. That's not to say, however, that the battle is won.