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.

News

Sawtooth Hatchery raises mountain-climbing Chinook salmon

Wednesday, June 14, 2017 - 12:41 PM MDT

The fishing season for Chinook in the Upper Salmon River opens June 22.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Salmon Region Magic Valley Region Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Trailers clip millions of fins so anglers can spot the keepers

Wednesday, June 21, 2017 - 2:33 PM MDT

Here's your task: Clip millions of tiny fins off young salmon and steelhead so they can be identified as hatchery fish when they return from the ocean. Do it in a few months and at nine different hatcheries from Springfield to Orofino.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Southwest Region Salmon Region Magic Valley Region Clearwater Region Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
South Fork of the Salmon River will not open for Chinook fishing

Monday, June 19, 2017 - 3:46 PM MDT

A poor return to the South Fork of the Salmon River means anglers will miss a year of Chinook fishing on the popular river, but anglers can still get a crack at the fish.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Southwest Region Clearwater Region Salmon Region Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Chinook Fishing Update (6/12/17)

Tuesday, June 13, 2017 - 2:57 PM MDT

This update is to let you know about Chinook fishing closures in the Clearwater River drainage. The following sections which were open for jack harvest, will not re-open this coming Thursday.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Clearwater Chinook Weekly Report (6/12/17)

Tuesday, June 13, 2017 - 2:50 PM MDT

This past week we documented harvest on creel section 1,4, & 5. Hog Island was still the best area to catch a Chinook on creel section 1. Anglers on creel section 4 were using bobbers and egg clusters and had the best success fishing in back eddies. Creel section 5 saw more pressure around the Skipping Stones Rest Stop and below Clear Creek on the South side of the river.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Chinook summer opportunities begin June 22

Tuesday, June 6, 2017 - 2:56 PM MDT

On Friday, June 2, the Idaho Fish and Game commission acted on Chinook salmon seasons. The first step was reopening some opportunities on the previously closed Clearwater, Lochsa, and Little Salmon rivers.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Chinook fishing reopens on Clearwater, Salmon and Little Salmon rivers on June 3

Friday, June 2, 2017 - 3:53 PM MDT

The reopened spring fishing season will target jack Chinook in the Clearwater River and adult and jack hatchery Chinook in the Salmon and Little Salmon rivers. Fishing will be limited to Thursday through Sunday weekly.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Clearwater Region Southwest Region Panhandle Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Salmon Region Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)