The Idaho Fish and Game Commission Wednesday, July 1, changed the daily and possession limits for Chinook salmon in part of the Upper Salmon River, and opened a Chinook season in the Boise River.
The change affects the season in the Upper Salmon River from the city of Salmon upstream to the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River, and it allows anglers to keep Chinook salmon less than 24 inches total length.
A large number of jack Chinook salmon returning to Pahsimeroi Hatchery has crossed lower Columbia River and Snake River dams. They are expected to enter the Upper Salmon River fishing area before sockeye return to the upper Salmon basin, and only a few Chinook jacks are needed in spawning operations at the hatchery.
The commissioners modified the limits to allow anglers to keep Chinook jacks that they catch. The new daily bag limit on the reach from Salmon upstream to the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River is six fish, no more than two of which may be 24 or more inches in total length. The possession limit is 18 fish, with no more than six, 24 or more inches long.
Anglers are reminded that they may not harvest sockeye salmon. Most sockeye salmon, like the Chinook jacks, are less than 24 inches long. Information signs have been posted in the upper Salmon River fishing area to help anglers distinguish between sockeye and Chinook salmon. Any sockeye caught must be released unharmed.
Fish and Game officials expect few hatchery jack Chinook salmon to return to the Sawtooth Hatchery near Stanley this year. Keeping jacks in the Salmon River upstream of the Pahsimeroi River continues to be prohibited.
The commissioners also opened a Chinook salmon fishing season on the Boise River downstream of Barber Dam to run 24 hours a day from July 2 until September 6 or further notice. The daily limit is two salmon - regardless of size - and the possession limit is six salmon.
In the Boise River, adult and jack Chinook must be recorded on the angler's permit.
Chinook are present in the Boise River only when stocked by Idaho Fish and Game. The large return of Chinook jacks to some of Idaho's hatcheries this year allows Fish and Game to move some of those fish to the Boise River. Steelhead and Chinook salmon historically migrated up the Boise River to spawn.
Here's a summary of salmon season that are open:
Upper Salmon River: Open until further notice. Fishing hours are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time.
- City of Salmon to Pahsimeroi River: from the cable car crossing at the USGS flow gauging station, about 150 yards downstream of Island Park in Salmon, upstream to the posted boundary at the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River. The daily limit is six salmon, but no more than two may be 24 inches or more in total length.
- Pahsimeroi River to East Fork Salmon River: from a posted boundary at the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River, upstream to a posted boundary at the mouth of the East Fork Salmon River. Only two Chinook, 24 or more inches in total length, may be kept. No fish under 24 inches may be kept.
- East Fork Salmon River to Sawtooth Hatchery: from a posted boundary at the mouth of the East Fork Salmon River, upstream to a posted boundary, about 100 yards downstream of the weir at Sawtooth Hatchery south of Stanley. Only two adult Chinook, 24 or more inches in total length, may be kept. No fish under 24 inches may be kept.
South Fork Salmon River: Fishing hours are from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. The daily limit is six Chinook, only two may be 24 or more inches in total length.
- Lower: Open through July 5 or until further notice, from the bridge on Forest Service Road 48 (Lick Creek/East Fork South Fork Road) where it crosses the South Fork Salmon River just upstream of the confluence with the East Fork South Fork Salmon River, upstream about 16 river miles to a posted boundary about one mile upstream from Fourmile Campground (about two miles downstream from Poverty Flat Campground).
- Upper: Open until further notice, from a posted boundary about one mile upstream from Fourmile Campground (about two miles downstream from Poverty Flat Campground) upstream about 17 river miles to a posted boundary about 100 yards downstream from the Idaho Fish and Game South Fork Salmon River weir and trap.
Boise River: Open 24 hours a day, July 2 through September 6 or until further notice, from its mouth to Barber Dam. The daily limit is two Chinook, adult or jack, and the possession limit is six fish.
In all these waters, Chinook salmon anglers may use only barbless hooks, except in the Boise River, no larger than five-eight inch. Snagging or attempting to snag salmon is unlawful.
- Only Chinook salmon greater than or equal to 24 inches total length need to be carded (applies only where jacks may be kept). In the Boise River both adults and jacks must be carded.
- Only Chinook salmon with a clipped adipose fin (as evidence by a healed scar) may be kept.
- Anglers must cease fishing for Chinook salmon - including catch and release - when they retain the daily, possession or season limits for the water in which they are fishing.
- Anglers may not harvest more than 40 Chinook salmon 24 inches or more in total length during the season.
Anglers must have in their possession a valid 2009 Idaho fishing license and salmon permit to fish for Chinook. They should consult 2009 Chinook salmon rules, which are 1 in season brochures and on the Fish and Game Web site at:
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/fish/salmon/.
