Hi everybody, it is time for the Clearwater Region’s Weekly Chinook update (6/6/16). I thought I’d get this out today to give those of you who like to fish the Little Salmon River more notice about the upcoming closure (See section on Rapid River Run and Attachment for details). Also, for those of you who like to fish the Clearwater River, please read that fishery section as we will be providing some new fishing opportunity for returning summer Chinook Salmon.
Harvest Shares
I think you all know the drill. The table below shows the number (and associated harvest share) of adult Chinook Salmon that have passed over Lower Granite (based on PIT tags) that are destined for fisheries in the Clearwater Region. These harvest shares will increase a little as we know some fish are still making their migration between Bonneville and Lower Granite dams. I suspect the final adult harvest share for the Clearwater run will be about 3,200 fish, the Rapid River run will be about 4,000 fish, and the Hells Canyon fishery will be about 545 fish.
Clearwater River Fishery
Last week, the only area in the Clearwater basin open to Spring Chinook fishing was upstream of Orofino Bridge. Through our creel program we estimated that 236 fish were harvested. There were actually some areas where anglers did quite well – mainly around Kooskia Hatchery and in the upper South Fork Clearwater River (catch rates of 7-12 hrs/fish). There is still about 400 fish left on the non-tribal harvest share, so no closures will occur this week (see table below). The next time we will look at the data will be next Monday. So, all these areas will remain open until at least then.
Clearwater River Summer Chinook Salmon Fishing Season Will Open Soon!!
As many of you know, we have been releasing summer Chinook Salmon into the Clearwater River since 2012. These fish came from the South Fork Salmon River, and none of the smolts were clipped so more would make it back as adults to help create a Clearwater summer Chinook localized brood stock. Well, this year, it looks like the return of summer Chinook will be large enough to not only meet our brood needs for the Clearwater’s summer Chinook program, but there will also be surplus to provide some fishing opportunity (harvest share of 400-600 fish). The tricky thing is because none of these returning adults have clipped adipose fins, we will be allowing harvest of Chinook Salmon with an adipose fin present for this fishery. To help insure this fishery doesn’t impact wild returning spring Chinook (which also have an adipose fin) we have selected opening dates for specific river reaches after the majority of wild fish will have moved out of that reach. These summer Chinook are destined for Powell in the upper Lochsa River. So, our goal is to provide some fishing opportunity for these fish from Lewiston upstream to Powell in a manner that won’t impact the Spring Chinook harvest share. Since many spring Chinook are now in the vicinity of Dworshak Hatchery we will not be opening up summer Chinook fishing in that area. With this understanding, here are the rules we developed for summer Chinook Salmon (see the attachment for details).
Clearwater River From Camas Prairie Railroad Bridge to Cherrylane Bridge: This season will open June 10, 2016 and fishing will be allowed on Fridays through Mondays until the season is closed by the director of Idaho Fish and Game.
Clearwater River upstream of Orofino Bridge including mainstem Clearwater, Middle Fork Clearwater And Lochsa River: Summer Chinook Salmon fishing will open June 18, 2016 in these river reaches as long as the spring Chinook season is open.
- Limits: Limits pertain to any combination of adipose-clipped and adipose intact Chinook.
- Daily Limit: Four Chinook salmon, only one may be an adult.
- Possession Limit: 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.
Rapid River Run
It is sad for me to say that this will be my last fishery update for the Rapid River run this year, as the Little Salmon River will close this Friday at the end of fishing hours (June 10, 2016). Based on our creel surveys, after last week’s fishing efforts, around 300 fish are left in our harvest share (see table below). We expect these fish will be harvested by Friday and is the reason for this closure. There was certainly an incredible amount of effort this weekend on the Little Salmon, as it seems folks sensed the end and wanted to make sure they got in on some of the action before the season closed. I took one of my sons to check it out, and he was amazed at how so many people could fish in coordination with one another. Thanks to all of you for treating this resource with respect and getting along so well. I ask those of you who will be fishing these last few days to consider picking up around you so that we can leave this place looking good and help ensure we will be able to use it for years to come.
Hells Canyon Fishery
The Hells Canyon fishery ended last Thursday (June 2, 2016). All total we estimate that 425 adult Chinook were harvested. The remaining 118 fish in the harvest share will be trapped to help insure we meet brood needs (we are concerned because trapping has been slow) and to fulfill other established state and tribal objectives.
I’m really excited about this new Summer Chinook fishery. For those who want to try it, don’t expect high catch rates. These fish are coming in slow and steady – not a large pulse of fish as we often see with springers. Our hopes are in the future, the returns will be substantial enough to provide long and meaningful fisheries.