July 14, 2026 South Fork Salmon River Chinook Update

Proposal Would Increase Daily Limit to Two Adults

Good news continues for South Fork Chinook anglers.

The South Fork Salmon River fishery remains open seven days per week, and this Thursday (July 16) the Idaho Fish and Game Commission will consider a proposal to increase the daily bag limit from one adult Chinook to two adults per day.

If approved, the new limit would likely take effect on Friday, July 17.

Why the proposed change?

Simply put, fishing is excellent, plenty of harvest share remains, and we'd like anglers to have every opportunity to utilize that harvest while river conditions are still favorable.

Stay tuned later this week for the Commission's decision.

Fishery Remains Open

The fishery will continue to remain open seven days per week until our harvest share is reached, wild fish impacts are reached, or August 10, whichever comes first.

There is still substantial harvest share remaining, and many of the Chinook currently in the river are bright, fresh fish. As summer progresses, river flows will continue to drop and water temperatures will rise, so if you've been thinking about making a trip to the South Fork—now is the time.

Fishery Update

The fourth fishing interval may have been the best one yet.

Fishing pressure was surprisingly light, there were plenty of fish throughout the system, and anglers experienced the best catch rates we've seen all season.

Over the five-day period since the fishery expanded to seven days per week, we estimate anglers harvested 58 adipose-clipped adults.

That brings the season harvest estimate to 343 adipose-clipped adults.

Our projected harvest share has now increased to approximately 600 adults, leaving approximately 250 adults still available for anglers.

That's great news for anyone who hasn't had a chance to fish yet.

The Run Has Arrived

Although we haven't detected any PIT-tagged South Fork fish crossing Bonneville Dam since July 4, the fish already in Idaho continue moving into the South Fork.

It's safe to say the Columbia River portion of the migration is winding down, but the South Fork portion of the run is in full swing.

McCall Hatchery is now roughly 70 percent of the way toward meeting its broodstock collection goal and has begun recycling jacks and surplus adult males back into the fishery.

There are fish spread throughout nearly the entire fishing area, and catch rates are the best we've seen all season.

Looking Ahead

I don't think many of us expected this fishery to still be open at this point.

In most years, the South Fork fishery closes just as the fishing really starts getting good.

This year has been different.

Current catch rates are averaging roughly 10 hours per fish caught, which is close to as good as Chinook fishing gets in Idaho, and anglers still have plenty of harvest share remaining to take advantage of.

One challenge we're seeing is that fishing effort has steadily declined each week, even as catch rates have improved. That's another reason we're hopeful the Commission approves the proposal to increase the daily bag limit. It would provide anglers with additional opportunity and hopefully persuade more folks to get out and help fully utilize this year's available harvest.

If I were planning a trip this week, I'd still be on the river before sunrise. Fishing has consistently been best during the early morning hours before the sun gets high.

That said, don't write off the middle of the day completely. I found a shaded hole around noon on Saturday and hooked a beautiful 34-inch female almost immediately. If you can find deep, shaded holding water, there's still plenty of opportunity.

River levels continue to drop, so focus your efforts on the deeper pools and darker holding water. Presenting roe or tuna balls right along the bottom of these dark pockets continues to be a productive strategy.

One Final Note

I'll be in the field and out of cell service for the next week, so unfortunately I won't be able to provide my usual weekly update until July 23.

If there are any changes to the fishery while I'm away—including the Commission's decision on the proposed bag-limit increase—you can always find the latest information on the Idaho Fish and Game Chinook Fishing webpage.

Thanks for following along this season, and good luck if you make it to the South Fork this week.