By Roger Phillips, Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist
Thanks to a good return of hatchery summer Chinook to the Clearwater River, anglers will get a bonus fishing season starting June 10 with a special rule that allows the harvest of Chinook with an intact adipose fin. This rule change only applies to the Clearwater summer Chinook season.
Idaho Fish and Game raised the Chinook in the Clearwater Hatchery to create a summer run that has not existed in recent years. Hatchery smolt releases started in 2012, and adipose fins were not clipped to ensure maximum return of adults to replenish the hatchery and quickly rebuild the run.
This year’s return of adult Chinook to the hatchery is expected to replenish it and include enough for a modest harvest estimated between 400 and 600 fish. Starting June 10, fishing will open on Fridays through Mondays until the season is closed by the director of Idaho Fish and Game.
Fishing will be open on the mainstem Clearwater River from the Camas Prairie Railroad Bridge upstream to Cherrylane Bridge. If the fishing season lasts beyond June 17, anglers may retain Chinook salmon with an intact adipose fin in the Clearwater River upstream of the Orofino Bridge, the Middle Fork Clearwater, and Lochsa rivers beginning June 18, 2016.
Other rules include:
Fishing for Chinook salmon is lawful only during the hours shown below:
Pacific Time
June 10-12: Begin 4:30 a.m., end 9 p.m.
June 13 - July 17: Begin 4:30 a.m., end 9:15 p.m.
Mountain Time
June 10-12: Begin 5:30 a.m., end 10 p.m.
June 13 - July 17: Begin 5:30 a.m., end 10:15 p.m.
Limits
Limits pertain to any combination of adipose-clipped and adipose intact Chinook.
Daily and Possession Limit
Daily: Four Chinook salmon, only one may be an adult.
Possession: 12 Chinook salmon, only three may be adults.
Season, Statewide: No person may take more than twenty (20) adult Chinook salmon statewide during 2016 salmon seasons occurring prior to September 1, 2016.
Definitions pertaining to limits:
Adult Chinook salmon are defined as any Chinook salmon greater than or equal to 24 inches in length.
Jack Chinook salmon are defined as any Chinook salmon less than 24 inches in length.
For more information about salmon fishing including areas currently open to fishing go to https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/chinook.