Chinook Season Set

Meeting in Coeur d'Alene April 5, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission unanimously approved fishing for hatchery chinook salmon this spring and summer. Fisheries biologists expect a strong run of hatchery chinook with enough fish to allow anglers to take a maximum of 40 fish each this year. Low water in the Columbia and Snake rivers is expected to bring the run upriver earlier than normal but it was high water in the system when these fish went to the ocean as smolts that helped create the large run of adults this year. Fishing will be open this year in 162 miles of stream that have not been open for chinook since the 1970s. Anadromous fisheries manager Sharon Kiefer told the Commission that the projection for the run at Lower Granite Dam is 56,400-83,400. Lower Granite is the last large federal dam the fish must cross before they enter Idaho. The total potential hatchery surplus return to Idaho is estimated at 41,300. The Clearwater drainage should receive 18,300; the Lower and Little Salmon are expected to receive 21,000; and the Snake should see 2,000. The season is set up to expand fishing opportunity by opening earlier, increasing the stream areas and allowing purchase of a second tag for a total yearly limit of 40. On the mainstem, North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork of the Clearwater River, the season would open April 21 and close August 5, unless it closes earlier because of reaching the quota of hatchery fish. On the Lochsa it would open May 26 and close with the Clearwater. On the Lower Salmon and Little Salmon the season would open April 21, the Little Salmon would close August 5 and the Lower Salmon June 10. The Lower Salmon would be open from Hammer Creek Boat Ramp up to the mouth of the Little Salmon. The Little Salmon would be open from the mouth upstream to the Highway 95 bridge near the Smokey Boulder road. Limits in these waters will be four daily and eight in possession. On the Snake River, the season will open April 21 and close August 5 or earlier. Limits here will be two daily and four in possession, but the statewide season limit of 40 is the same as for other waters. Season will be open from Dug Bar boat ramp six miles up from the mouth of the Imnaha River upstream to Hells Canyon Dam. Fishing hours on all waters will be from one-half hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset local time. The salmon fishing rules brochure is being prepared for printing now and should be available at license vendors, Fish and Game offices and on the Internet at http://www2.state.id.us/fishgame before the season starts April 21.