Ask Fish and Game: Fishing in Closed Waters

Q. With spring salmon season closed in the Clearwater, can I still fish catch-and-release for salmon? A. You can't fish for salmon in areas closed to salmon fishing - not even catch-and-release. You can fish for other species that are open for fishing in waters that have salmon. But if you unintentionally hook a salmon it must be released immediately. If you fish with salmon gear in a closed area, conservation officers may think you are fishing for salmon and cite you for it.