Rapid River Run (lower Salmon and Little Salmon rivers) – harvest distribution goals
Idaho Fish and Game would like your input on what type of harvest distribution goals you would like to see for the Rapid River Run Chinook Salmon fishery.
Comments will be accepted through March 3.
Anglers approved a goal in 2020 to distribute harvest evenly (50:50) between the lower Salmon River and Little Salmon River with an understanding that we would evaluate this strategy and in 2024 revisit whether this harvest distribution was appropriate. Assessment of this harvest distribution goal found the following:
The lower Salmon River (between Rice Creek Bridge and Shorts Creek - ~ 50 miles) received on average 59% of the fishing effort and 55% of the harvest between 2020 and 2023. Correspondingly, the Little Salmon River (about 4 miles) received 41% of the effort and 45% of the harvest. This assessment showed that IDFG had difficulty in managing the fishery to achieve this 50:50 harvest goal (more went to the lower Salmon River) but more fishing effort occurred in the lower Salmon River than the Little Salmon River. Additionally, since 2008 there were four years where the fishery essentially didn’t close allowing people to fish where they wanted and how often they wanted. During those years, on average, 54% of the harvest and 60% of the effort occurred in the lower Salmon River.
It should be noted that if wild fish impacts and/or harvest on upstream stocks becomes a concern in the lower Salmon River, This will take precedence over achieving designated harvest distribution goals.
Idaho Fish and Game would like your input on what type of harvest distribution goals you would like to see for the Rapid River Run Chinook Salmon fishery.
Comments will be accepted through March 3.
Anglers approved a goal in 2020 to distribute harvest evenly (50:50) between the lower Salmon River and Little Salmon River with an understanding that we would evaluate this strategy and in 2024 revisit whether this harvest distribution was appropriate. Assessment of this harvest distribution goal found the following:
The lower Salmon River (between Rice Creek Bridge and Shorts Creek - ~ 50 miles) received on average 59% of the fishing effort and 55% of the harvest between 2020 and 2023. Correspondingly, the Little Salmon River (about 4 miles) received 41% of the effort and 45% of the harvest. This assessment showed that IDFG had difficulty in managing the fishery to achieve this 50:50 harvest goal (more went to the lower Salmon River) but more fishing effort occurred in the lower Salmon River than the Little Salmon River. Additionally, since 2008 there were four years where the fishery essentially didn’t close allowing people to fish where they wanted and how often they wanted. During those years, on average, 54% of the harvest and 60% of the effort occurred in the lower Salmon River.
It should be noted that if wild fish impacts and/or harvest on upstream stocks becomes a concern in the lower Salmon River, This will take precedence over achieving designated harvest distribution goals.