Ideal Water Temps for Salmon & Steelhead?

[Boat Monkey]

Lilcorky's post requesting water temps started me thinking/wondering what the best temps are for salmon and steelhead. I've heard from friends and relatives that 45º to 52º is best but I was interested in what the group thinks.

[TheRogue]

To me, a lot depends on the situation. The lower Rogue really gets decent for springers once the temps hit 52 degrees. By lower, I'm talking about the bottom 5 miles or so. You get above that, and it seems like the fish are acclimated enough that a cooler temp doesn't affect them as much.

Seems like the Willamette Falls "magic" temp is also around 52 or so, that gets the springers really chugging over the ladder.

My .02

TR

[Boat Monkey]

Thanks for your 2¢ TheRogue. I wonder if warmer rains excite the fish more than colder rains then?