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

Fall chinook offer a chance to catch and keep big fish

Wednesday, September 20, 2017 - 11:10 AM MDT

Fishing season is in full swing, and mid September is the peak period to catch them in the Lewiston area, and October is prime for Hells Canyon.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Clearwater Region Panhandle Region Southwest Region Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Next generation of Chinook get started on the S.F. of the Salmon River

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 - 11:03 AM MDT

For Chinook at the McCall Fish Hatchery, their lives start (and end) at the South Fork of the Salmon River with the adults returning from the Pacific and Fish and Game crews spawning the fish to produce the next generation of Idaho salmon.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Southwest Region Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Despite a down year for salmon, early signs point to improvement

Tuesday, August 1, 2017 - 3:23 PM MDT

While most of this year’s salmon fishing was disappointing, it should be taken in the context of recent decades.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Fall Chinook fishing to open August 18

Friday, July 28, 2017 - 3:37 PM MDT

Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopted a fall Chinook salmon fishing season to open August 18 on parts of the Snake, Clearwater and Salmon rivers. Commissioners approved the 2017 fall Chinook fishing seasons during their meeting in Bonners Ferry on Thursday, July 27.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Clearwater Region Southwest Region Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Idaho’s Chinook salmon seasons to end July 30

Tuesday, July 25, 2017 - 3:31 PM MDT

Chinook salmon seasons on the Snake, Little Salmon and Upper Salmon rivers will close at the end of fishing hours on Sunday, July 30. The closures to these fisheries are occurring because harvest objectives are being met and/or because the Chinook run has ended.

Clearwater Region Southwest Region Salmon Region Chinook Salmon Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Upper Salmon River Chinook Update (7/24/17)

Monday, July 24, 2017 - 3:06 PM MDT

Chinook anglers had another successful week on the upper Salmon River. Angler effort was almost twice as high as the previous week, and the majority of anglers were observed near the Buckhorn Bridge area. Catch rates were the best of the season to this point, with Chinook anglers averaging 6 hours per Chinook salmon caught, and 9 hours per Chinook salmon harvested.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Clearwater Chinook Update (7/18/17)

Wednesday, July 19, 2017 - 5:12 PM MDT

I wanted to get a final fishery update out today, even though the Clearwater Region’s spring/summer Chinook fisheries are still winding down for the year. I have included the most recent fishery information from the Little Salmon River and Hell’s Canyon as well as a look toward next year based upon the jack returns we have seen in 2017.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)