2026 North Fork Clearwater River Spring Chinook Fishery Proposal
Idaho Fish and Game would like your input on how you would like the North Fork Clearwater River spring Chinook salmon fishery to be managed.
Comments will be accepted through February 22, 2026.
The 2026 aggregate Clearwater spring Chinook run is forecast to provide a total harvest share of 2,003 adults. North Fork Clearwater anglers have consistently reached and exceeded the target of 20% of the adult harvest allocation in the North Fork during the past five salmon fisheries with a 4-day (Thur-Sun) fishery and a daily limit of four (4) salmon with no more than one (1) being an adult. IDFG recommends the following fishery structure for the 2026 North Fork Clearwater Chinook Fishery:
A 4-day (Thur-Sun) fishery with a daily limit of four (4) salmon, with no more than one (1) being an adult.
Season opens on Saturday, April 25, with fishing allowed throughout the North Fork Clearwater River.
Should the run come in significantly different than forecasted, our goal would be to follow the guidelines specified in the table below.
North Fork Clearwater River Spring Chinook Season and Limits, Based on the Aggregate Clearwater Basin Harvest Share
*Highlighted row indicates IDFG recommendation to start the 2026 Chinook Fishery in the North Fork Clearwater River
Idaho Fish and Game would like your input on how you would like the North Fork Clearwater River spring Chinook salmon fishery to be managed.
Comments will be accepted through February 22, 2026.
The 2026 aggregate Clearwater spring Chinook run is forecast to provide a total harvest share of 2,003 adults. North Fork Clearwater anglers have consistently reached and exceeded the target of 20% of the adult harvest allocation in the North Fork during the past five salmon fisheries with a 4-day (Thur-Sun) fishery and a daily limit of four (4) salmon with no more than one (1) being an adult. IDFG recommends the following fishery structure for the 2026 North Fork Clearwater Chinook Fishery:
Should the run come in significantly different than forecasted, our goal would be to follow the guidelines specified in the table below.
North Fork Clearwater River Spring Chinook Season and Limits, Based on the Aggregate Clearwater Basin Harvest Share
*Highlighted row indicates IDFG recommendation to start the 2026 Chinook Fishery in the North Fork Clearwater River
Total Clearwater Adult Harvest Share
Days Per Week
Limit
River Sections and Expectations
<200
4 Days
(Thur-Sun)
Jacks only
No boats
200 - 1000
2 Days
(Sat-Sun)
1 adult
No Boats
1000-4000
4 Days
(Thur-Sun)
1 adult
No Closures
>4000
4 Days
(Thur-Sun)
2 adults
No Closures