Clearwater River Salmon Season May Close On June 13

Fishery managers for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game predict by June 13 parts or all of the Clearwater River may be closed to sport salmon fishing. Initial spring chinook run projections for 2004 fell short of expectations, resulting in a run about half the size originally predicted. "We're trying to give the public as much lead-time as possible so they're not caught by surprise," Ed Schriever, Clearwater Region fisheries manager, said. Fishery managers estimate that as of May 28, salmon anglers have harvested 61 percent of the state's harvest share of 7,500 surplus hatchery fish returning to the Clearwater River. By evaluating fishery harvest trends and fishing conditions, Fish and Game predicts that the remaining surplus spring chinook allocated to the Clearwater River sport fishery may be harvested by Sunday, June 13, 2004. The Clearwater River spring chinook sport fishery will close once the state's share of the surplus is harvested. Any portion of the state's harvest share remaining beyond June 13 may be used to continue fisheries in the South Fork Clearwater and Lochsa rivers that have been slow to start and so far have accounted for relatively low harvest. State fishery managers will provide an update on fishery status and potential fishery closures in the Clearwater River Basin on June 10, 2004.