2006 Clearwater River Chinook Update

Ed Schriever, IDFG Fishery Manager Early run-size estimates based on Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag detections at Bonneville Dam indicated the 2006 return of hatchery salmon returning to the Clearwater River would be in excess of hatchery brood stock needs. This allowed the Idaho Fish and Game Commission to approve a sport fishery which will go into its fourth four-day fishing period this Friday through Monday. Fishery managers are continually refining run size estimates based on new data collected as the run progresses past the dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers. As salmon move upstream, the run-size estimate becomes more accurate as fish actually cross Lower Granite Dam just prior to entering the Clearwater River. To date, conversion of Dworshak Hatchery salmon from Bonneville Dam to Lower Granite Dam is lower than the historical average and is also lower than other Snake River stocks. Dworshak Hatchery fish appeared relatively strong at Bonneville Dam, but these fish have not moved upstream with the same progress as Rapid River Hatchery salmon. If this trend continues, the result will be fewer fish available than originally predicted for the Clearwater salmon fishery. As of June 6, the estimated Clearwater River sport fishery harvest was 577 salmon. The upcoming fishery interval of June 9-12 is expected to result in similar harvest as the two previous intervals and may result in the achievement of the Clearwater River sport fishery allocation for 2006. If the conversion rate of Dworshak Hatchery stock to Lower Granite Dam increases or the sport fishery harvest is below expectation during the June 9-12 interval, the fishery may continue beyond the June 9-12 interval. The Clearwater River chinook sport fishery generally occurs prior to the majority of tribal fishing and brood fish collection at the hatcheries. In years like 2006 where fisheries are based on relatively small surpluses, it appears there is an abundance of fish remaining in the river when the sport season closes. A common complaint from anglers is that the fishery near Dworshak and near other hatchery operations closes just when fishing is at its best. The number of fish needed to meet hatchery brood stock requirement represents approximately 70 percent of the estimated 2006 Clearwater River hatchery salmon run. The remaining 30 percent of the 2006 run is surplus and therefore available for harvest. Anglers are reminded that this surplus is split evenly between the sport and tribal fisheries. Therefore, the sport fishery allocation represents approximately 15 percent of the estimated 2006 Clearwater River return. It should be no surprise that fish are relatively abundant when the sport fishery closes because this year, the majority of the run is needed to fill the hatcheries to provide for future runs and hopefully more fishing opportunity. IDFG will maintain the current season structure including the one adipose-clipped salmon daily bag limit and allowing fishing only Friday through Monday. Anglers are encouraged to review the current 2006 Spring Chinook Salmon Seasons and Rules brochure. Fishery managers will continue monitoring the run and sport-fishery harvest and will provide anglers with information regarding the status of the Clearwater River Chinook sport fishery by Wednesday, June 14.