Chinook Fishing to Open July 5 on South Fork Salmon

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission Wednesday, June 12, adopted a Chinook salmon fishing season on the South Fork Salmon River to open Friday, July 5. Fishing will be open only Fridays, Saturday and Sundays until further notice. Managers anticipate a shorter fishery on the South Fork because fewer fish are returning to Idaho than in recent years. The South Fork will be open from the bridge on Forest Service Road 48 (Lick Creek/ East Fork South Fork Road) where it crosses the South Fork Salmon River main stem just upstream of the confluence with the East Fork South Fork Salmon River, upstream about 35 river miles to a posted boundary about 100 yards downstream from the Idaho Fish and Game South Fork Salmon River weir and trap. Fishing hours will be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. The daily bag limit will be four Chinook salmon, only two of which may be adults; the possession limit is 12 Chinook salmon, only six of which may be adults. Adult Chinook salmon are 24 or more inches in length, and jacks are less than 24 inches in length. Only adipose-fin-clipped salmon may be kept. The season-statewide limit is 10 adult Chinook salmon during salmon seasons occurring before September 1, 2013. Please consult Fish and Game Salmon Hotline at 1-855-287-2702 for Chinook fishing season updates or go online to http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=110.