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IDAHOFALLSMAGAZINE.COM 25 IDFG hatcheries produce 5 million steelhead smolts per year The waters over in Magic Valley may not be steelhead fishing territory, but they do play a crucial role in the success of young fish in their westward journey. "Beginning in late spring, regional staff from the Magic Valley, Niagara Springs, and Hagerman National fish hatcheries rear approximately 5 million steelhead from eggs taken from adults at various hatcheries around the state," notes Terry Thompson, Regional Communications Manager for the Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game. Eleven months later, the 4-ounce, 8.5-inch long steelhead will be the ideal size to begin their migration to the Pacific Ocean. From there, the fish will mature in the saltwater, then begin their upstream climb 1-2 years later. One of the crucial steps in the rearing process is making the hatchery-born fish identifiable to distinguish them from wild steelhead. To accomplish this task, the adi- pose fin of each fish is removed through an automated procedure. "To provide fishing opportunity while protecting wild steel- head stocks, Fish and Game fisheries man- agers, working with the Fish and Game Commission, can often allow anglers to keep hatchery fish, or those without an adipose fin, when sufficient numbers of these fish return from the Pacific Ocean," Thompson adds. Anglers are not allowed to keep steel- head that have an intact adipose fin by regulation. For updates on waters, rules and seasons, check out the steelhead status page at www.idfg.idaho.gov. IF Rearing for Returns Ask any member of The Snake River Mountain Bike Club about his or her favorite destination, and you'll get about as Mountain, Meet City Creek many different answers as there are trails. One name that seems to pop up more than most is City Creek in Pocatello. Just a stone's throw from the Idaho State University campus, the trailhead is easy to find off of South Grant at Centennial Park. The ride begins along the City Creek riparian zone and works its way up to the base of Kinport Mountain. "The trail is a great single track and used frequently by other riders," according to the description on the club's web page. "In the higher elevations of City Creek you get into some beautiful pines and aspens. The trails STEVE SMEDE PHOTO STEVE SMEDE PHOTO are fairly smooth with occasional interrup- tions of rocks." The trail system actually offers three dif- ferent rides, depending on your approach. City Creek itself is the easiest, covering about 3.5 miles. Kinport Mountain is mod- erate in difficulty and runs about 5.5 miles. The 6-mile route of Cusick Creek is consid- ered the most difficult. For a detailed map and other details, check out trails page at www.snakeriver- mountainbikeclub.com. IF