The whole planting surplus winter runs in lakes thing is the poorest excuse for an "opportunity" ever. Those fish suspend in one spot, looking absolutely miserable, and they certainly aren't interested in biting. Not sure whose idea that was, but I don't think it came from anyone who ever tried to catch a winter steelhead in a lake.

If we're not going to be able to fish for them, we should stop producing hatchery winter runs altogether. There are much cheaper ways to make pet food.

I think tribal netting plays a large, if counterintuitive part in the decision thus far to keep planting winters. Without hatchery winter steelhead, the QIN can't very well have a "winter steelhead fishery" in December and January, when the same nets can also catch the far more valuable late coho. Not trying to bash anyone; I just think it might be the reality of the situation....