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Updated: May 7, 2026 @ 8:09 am
Steelhead in Idaho often face a difficult stretch after spawning and now conservation effort has worked to improve their chances of surviving and returning again.
IDAHO — Steelhead in Idaho often face a difficult stretch after spawning, and now conservation efforts are being made to improve their chances of surviving and returning again.
Many of these fish survive spawning, but they often come out of it weak and injured. Females are hit especially hard after laying eggs.
These post-spawn steelhead are known as kelts. As they move downstream, many deal with injuries and infections.
Their digestive systems also shrink after leaving the ocean. This makes it harder for them to absorb nutrients until they start feeding again.
The Nez Perce Tribe is running a program to collect kelts, help them recover in hatcheries and release them in the fall.
Fewer than 1% of kelts make it back to Idaho to spawn again.
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