Chinook Salmon Seasons and Rules

2017 Chinook Seasons

The Chinook seasons have changed!
For a description of what changed, please read this press release.
Updated June 19, 3:46 pm MDT.
 
Seasons and Rules Brochures
 
Fishing hours may change, be aware of changes:
  • Mainstem Lochsa
     – 4:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. PDT
  • Upper Salmon
     – 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. MDT
  • Lower Salmon and Little Salmon
     – 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. MDT

Please Note:

Segments with no Chinook fishing opportunity are not shown below.
Chinook Salmon seasons and rules pamphlet
Chinook Salmon Fishing
Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Chinook Harvest Zone Information

Select a river segment to see additional notes, restrictions, or clarification

Spring season
River Code River Zone Current Season Status Legal Harvest Season Datessort descending Daily Limit Possession Limit Notes
2

Snake River - Dug Bar to Hells Canyon

Snake River
From: Dug Bar boat ramp
To: Hells Canyon Dam 		Open Adults, Jacks April 22, 2017 - 5:30 AM MDT 4 per day, only 2 may be adults 12, of which no more than 6 may be adults
3

Mainstem Clearwater River - Lower

Clearwater River
From: Camas Prairie Railroad Bridge at Lewiston
To: Highway 12 Bridge below Potlatch River (Arrow Bridge) 		Closed None
June 3, 2017 - 5:30 AM MDT to June 11, 2017 - 10:00 PM MDT
 4 jack chinook salmon per day, no harvest of adults allowed 12 jack chinook salmon, no harvest of adults allowed

Harvest share reached

Special Note
4

Mainstem Clearwater River - Upper (Orofino Bridge to Five Mile Boat Ramp)

Clearwater River
From: Orofino Bridge
To: Five Mile Boat Ramp 		Closed None
June 3, 2017 - 5:30 AM MDT to June 11, 2017 - 10:00 PM MDT
 4 jack chinook salmon per day, no harvest of adults allowed 12 jack chinook salmon, no harvest of adults allowed

Harvest share reached

Special Note
6

Middle Fork Clearwater River

Middle Fork Clearwater River
From: Mouth
To: Headwaters/Confluence of Lochsa River and Selway River 		Closed None
June 3, 2017 - 5:30 AM MDT to June 11, 2017 - 10:00 PM MDT
 4 jack chinook salmon per day, no harvest of adults allowed 12 jack chinook salmon, no harvest of adults allowed

Harvest share reached

Special Note
7

South Fork Clearwater River

South Fork Clearwater River
From: Highway 13 bridge (about 300 yards downstream of where Highway 14 and Harpster Grade Road merge)
To: Posted sign about 300 yards upstream of Mount Idaho Grade bridge 		Closed None
June 3, 2017 - 5:30 AM MDT to June 11, 2017 - 10:00 PM MDT
 4 jack chinook salmon per day, no harvest of adults allowed 12 jack chinook salmon, no harvest of adults allowed

Harvest share reached

Special Note
8

Lochsa River

Lochsa River
From: Mouth
To: Twin Bridges immediately upstream from the confluence of Crooked Fork and Colt Killed creeks 		Open Adults, Jacks June 22, 2017 - 5:30 AM MDT Four chinook salmon, only two may be adults Twelve Chinook salmon, only six may be adults

Both adipose clipped and unclipped jacks and adipose clipped and unclipped adults may be harvested.  Fishing is allowed seven days a week in this area.

Special Note
11

Lower Salmon River - Park Hole

Salmon River
From: Highway 95 Timezone Bridge
To: Posted boundary at mouth of Shorts Creek 		Open Adults, Jacks June 3, 2017 - 5:30 AM MDT 4 salmon per day, only 2 may be adults. 12 salmon, no more than 6 may be adults

Fishing is only allowed on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in this area.

Special Note

Fishing from any watercraft is prohibited within 30 yards of the west shoreline of the Salmon River from the Riggins City Park boat ramp upstream to a posted boundary approximately 50 yards upstream of the mouth of the Little Salmon River.  Fishing from any watercraft is also prohibited in the Little Salmon river from the mouth upstream approximately 200 yards to a posted boundary.
20

Little Salmon River - Lower

Little Salmon River
From: Mouth
To: Posted boundary about 200 yards upstream of the mouth of Rapid River 		Open Adults, Jacks June 3, 2017 - 5:30 AM MDT 4 per day, only 2 may be adults 12 salmon, of which no more than 6 may be adults

Fishing is only allowed on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in this area.

Special Note

Fishing from any watercraft is prohibited within 30 yards of the west shoreline of the Salmon River from the Riggins City Park boat ramp upstream to a posted boundary approximately 50 yards upstream of the mouth of the Little Salmon River.  Fishing from any watercraft is also prohibited in the Little Salmon river from the mouth upstream approximately 200 yards to a posted boundary.
20

Little Salmon River - Upper

Little Salmon River
From: Posted boundary about 200 yards upstream of the mouth of Rapid River
To: U.S. Highway 95 Bridge near Smokey Boulder Road 		Open Adults, Jacks June 3, 2017 - 5:30 AM MDT 4 per day, only 2 may be adults 12 salmon of which no more than 6 may be adults

Fishing is only allowed on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in this area.

Special Note

Fishing from any watercraft is prohibited within 30 yards of the west shoreline of the Salmon River from the Riggins City Park boat ramp upstream to a posted boundary approximately 50 yards upstream of the mouth of the Little Salmon River.  Fishing from any watercraft is also prohibited in the Little Salmon river from the mouth upstream approximately 200 yards to a posted boundary.
Summer season
River Code River Zone Current Season Status Legal Harvest Season Datessort descending Daily Limit Possession Limit Notes
19

Upper Salmon River

Salmon River
From: US-93 bridge 0.3 miles south of the junction of US-93 and US-75
To: Posted boundary approximately 100 yards downstream of the weir and trap at Sawtooth Hatchery south of Stanley 		Open Adults, Jacks June 22, 2017 - 5:30 AM MDT 4 per day, only 2 may be adults. 12, of which no more than 6 may be adults.

Fishing for Chinook salmon will be seven days a week.

Special Note
21

South Fork Salmon River

South Fork Salmon River
From: Bridge on Forest Service Road 48 (Lick Cr-East Fork South Fork Road) where it crosses the mainstem South Fork Salmon River
To: Posted boundary approximately 100 yards downstream from the Idaho Fish and Game South Fork Salmon River weir and trap. 		Closed None June 22, 2017 - 5:30 AM MDT No season No season

There will not be a 2017 Chinook fishery on the South Fork Salmon River by order of the IDFG Director 6/19/2017.

Special Note
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