Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopted a fall Chinook salmon fishing season to open September 1 on parts of the Snake, Clearwater and Salmon rivers.
Commissioners approved the 2016 fall Chinook fishing seasons during their meeting in Jerome on Thursday, July 7.
The 2016 fall chinook forecast is 32,000 hatchery and naturally-produced fall chinook returning to the Snake River basin. Last year's actual return was 59,000 fall chinook.
Fall chinook fishing on the Snake River will be open from the Washington-Idaho border upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.
Fishing on the Snake River from the Idaho Border to Cliff Mountain Rapids (about a mile downstream of Hells Canyon Dam) is scheduled to be open until Oct.31, but could be closed sooner depending on the actual number of fish that return and the amount of harvest. The stretch between Hells Canyon Dam downstream to Cliff Mountain Rapids is scheduled to remain open until November 17.
Other areas opening for fall chinook fishing on September 1 are:
- The Clearwater River, from its mouth upstream to Memorial Bridge. Open until October 31.
- Salmon River, from its mouth upstream about three-fourths of a mile to Eye of the Needle Rapids. Open until October 31.
A valid fishing license and salmon permit are required to fish for fall chinook. Only adipose-clipped salmon may be kept. The daily bag limit is six adult fall Chinook salmon, and the possession limit is 18. There is no season limit on adult fall chinook.
Only adult fall chinook (24-inches and longer) must be recorded on the angler's salmon permit. There is no daily, possession or season limits on fall chinook jacks (those less than 24 inches).
The 2016 Fall Chinook salmon Seasons and Rules brochure will be available at Fish and Game offices, license vendors, and online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/chinook.