Chinook Salmon Fishing

In Idaho, anglers eagerly wait and plan their vacations around the Chinook salmon’s annual return.

Chinook Salmon are one of the more popular sport fish across the western states due to their large size, hard fighting ability, and excellent table fare.

Chinook returning to Idaho are classified into three groups or “runs” – spring, summer and fall Chinook – based on when they begin their migration upstream to spawn. Most fish range from 12 to 20 pounds, but fish over 30 pounds are caught each year. Due to the different times Chinook salmon enter Idaho, fishing opportunities can often be found from May through October.

Seasons and rules are set annually because the number of Chinook returning to Idaho can vary greatly from year to year. Many factors influence seasons, such as collecting enough fish for spawning and providing different communities with the opportunity to harvest fish. Use the Seasons and Rules page to find maps of each fishing zone.

Hot tips for processing salmon and steelhead

Tuesday, October 3, 2023 - 7:54 AM MDT

Fall salmon and steelhead fishing is in full swing, and many happy anglers are celebrating the fall season with delicious fish in their coolers and on their tables. Filleting and processing large salmon and steelhead can be intimidating to some people, so this article was written to help those individuals and maybe provide some new tricks to the seasoned anglers to ensure you get the most out of your catch.

Fall Chinook Salmon Update (8/31/2023)

Thursday, August 31, 2023 - 9:56 AM MDT

Clearwater Region fisheries manager, Joe DuPont, provides an update on Idaho's fall Chinook Samlmon fishery.

Chinook Salmon Fishery Update (7/18/2023) Clearwater River Return, Rapid River Run, Hells Canyon, and Lochsa River Fisheries

Tuesday, July 18, 2023 - 1:45 PM MDT

Clearwater Region fisheries manager, Joe DuPont, provides a weekly update on the Clearwater Region's Chinook Salmon fisheries.

F&G to close separate portions of the Upper Salmon River for Chinook fishing

Tuesday, July 18, 2023 - 9:34 AM MDT

Idaho Fish and Game officials will close separate portions of the Upper Salmon River Chinook fishery. The section upstream from the East Fork Salmon River to Valley Creek will be closed at the end of fishing hours on July 19 to help minimize impacts to wild Chinook salmon. The section upstream from Valley Creek to the posted boundary below the Sawtooth Hatchery weir will close four days later on at the end of fishing hours on July 23.

Surplus Rapid River Chinook scheduled to be released into the Boise River for anglers on July 14

Wednesday, July 12, 2023 - 8:56 AM MDT

For the first time in five years, anglers will have the chance to hook into a Chinook salmon in the Boise River. Because Rapid River Hatchery recently met and exceeded the number of fertilized eggs they need to raise the next generation of Chinook, Idaho Fish and Game staff will be able to transfer excess Chinook to the Boise River in the early afternoon of July 14. The stocked fish will include both "jacks," which are Chinook smaller than 24 inches in length, as well as around 100 larger adult fish.