Asotin Creek Summer Steelhead
(Above George Creek)
Asotin Creek drains the North East flanks of the Blue Mountains in Asotin County, and flows to the Snake River upstream from the Snake's confluence with the Clearwater River in Idaho. Asotin Creek summer steelhead are part of the Snake River ESU and are protected as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act 1973. The Asotin Creek drainage is managed as a wild steelhead refuge and no hatchery steelhead are released as smolts into this drainage. Population protection has been maintained by state and federal agencies while habitat restoration has been conducted by State, tribal and local entities. To understand population trends in this population and the effects of habitat improvements adult steelhead are enumerated at a fish weir/trap upstream from the George Creek confluence. Asotin Creek above George Creek is considered spawning and rearing habitat and is designated as priority restoration habitat by the Snake River Salmon Recovery Board. Asotin Creek steelhead have been sheltered from negative hatchery influences by removal of hatchery fish at the trap by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
