Perhaps more directly on point:
I havent boated many steelhead in the Cowlitz, the only fish I've caught had intact adipose fins. Supposedly there are no natives in the river, but there may be wild fish.
Last winter I caught my biggest steelhead ever; a pristine, bright 18# buck, all fins intact. No pen or net scars, absolutely nothing to make me think it had ever seen a rearing pond or pen. I released him.
The next week, I caught a 6 or 7# fish, obviously a hatchery fish, pen scars, etc., but had an intact adipose. It got released, also.
Those were the only steelhead I got all year.
If I understand the reg's, it was legal to keep both fish, but there was, (and still is) some doubt. I've never asked anyone, and never looked at anyone else's catch in the Cowlitz, but I dont believe the hatchery there clips fins.
Any feedback?
It's about 4 weeks till my first trip of the winter, and I'm getting hungry...