Ask Fish and Game: 2014 Spring Chinook Salmon Rules

Q: I noticed boaters will not be allowed to fish the Big Eddy hole on the Clearwater River for salmon this year. Why are boat anglers being excluded? A: Spring Chinook salmon seem to congregate in the Big Eddy hole in very large numbers. This makes them especially vulnerable to anglers who are able to target them from boats. Success rates have been so high in this area, that a small number of anglers are able to take a large portion of the quota allowed on the Clearwater. Fishery managers feel that closing this hole to boaters will allow for a longer season which will give all interested anglers more opportunity to participate in the spring Chinook fishery.