Can somebody tell me the formula for figuring out the weight of a steelhead if you know the length and width? Thanks.

Try this web site. http//hometown.aol.com/mr8fred
It has a fish calculator.

If you have the length and width of a steelhead and want to know how much it weighs, take the length times the width squared, and divide that number by 775. For expample, if you catch a steelhead that's 39" x 20", enter in the calculator: 39 x 20 x 20, and divide that number by 775. It will give you the weight within a couple of ounces. Truthfully, I was a little skeptical at first on how well it would work. So when I caught a hatchery fish, I'd take the dimensions, and enter the formula in the calculator. Then I'd take the same fish and weigh it on a digital scale. I did this a number of times, and every time the formula was right on. It also works on silvers, chinook, chums, etc.. Remember though, to measure the length from the snout to the middle of the tail, and measure the girth just in front of the dorsal fin.

Man I hope like hell your not releasing the fish after doing all that measuring. I say this because I'd have to assume the fish is out of the water, (most likely netted), lying on the bottom of a boat or on the ground and in general being handeled in such a way as to ever prevent its survival once you released it. If indeed you are doing this you make a pretty strong case for the anti catch and release crowd.

Sorry, you are wrong.. I don't make posts likethis very often but you are dead wrong. You can measure and release a fish in seconds, without out ever touching a net. I bet it you are really good you can even take a picture or two.

a wild fish shuld never be lifted into a boat, be placed in a net, or taken out of the water for more than a split second. You can measure, photograph and release a wild fish in well under a minute and never have it out of the water for more than a few seconds.

Just my worthless .02

>< )))'>

To Steelheader #1 -
You know what they say about assuming something.... it makes an ass out of you.....

I've used this system and it WORKS!!!
You can measure the fish without ever taking it out of the water, I use one of those little flexable tapes the wife uses in her sewing basket man was she mad when she noticed it missing for some reason she did'nt want it back?... A quick smile for the camera and off she goes . wheres the problem?


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Tight Lines
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This measurement is only a approximation and varies by as much as 4lbs to the heavy side in larger fish. For a quick and dirty measurement it works great. The formula Fish2much mentions is the one on I use. Here is a link to my calculator.
http://www.steelheader.net/Toppages/weight_calculator.htm

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Marty
www.steelheader.net
marty@steelheader.net

Agree with all these replies. This measurement can be taken with a measuring tape, it takes no longer and involves no more handling than in cradling the fish to take a picture, takes even less because the fish doesn't even have to come out of the water. As far as I know, this meathod is recommended when one catches a trophy native and would like to preserve it. Take a quality photo to show the color and take the measurements to represent the size. Someone who does reproductions can make you a beautiful "mount."

Hey guy's, I've got a real simple method that work's. A 24 in. steelhead weigh's 4lb., 25 incher is 5lb. and so on. Just look at your 33in. fish if he's average build he's a 13 pounder, maybe if it's a fatty 14. I don't keep many anymore but when I do this system is pretty close. Like an old timer once told me "there's no such thing as a half pound in steelheading" just round up. Tight line's

Art Lingren talks about the length minus 20 rule to come up with approximent weight. 29 inch steelie minus 20 inches gives approx. 9lb steelie. The other more accurate method is called sturdy's formula. Weight in pounds = 0.00133 x (girth)squared x length (girth and length in inches. A 40 inch fish with a girth of 24 should be 30.6 lbs.