Commission sets Salmon Seasons

Meeting by conference call May 25, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission set three salmon seasons, as well as seasons for doves and sandhill cranes. All seven commissioners were in attendance. Commissioners approved a season on hatchery spring chinook salmon in the Boise River from its mouth upstream to Barber Dam, to open May 26 and close September 6. Fish and Game will transport 200-250 salmon to the Boise by 4:00 p.m. May 26, and more as they are available. The daily limit is two, anglers may have six in possession, and the statewide limit, cumulative from all waters, is 20. There are no restricted hours as there are in other salmon seasons and fishing is permitted 24 hours a day. Barbless hooks are not required in the Boise River because only hatchery salmon will be stocked. These are Rapid River Hatchery salmon trapped at Hells Canyon Dam. The other seasons are for hatchery summer chinook salmon. The South Fork Salmon River is set to open on June 21 from the mouth of Goat Creek upstream to a posted boundary about 100 yards below the South Fork weir and trap. This season is scheduled to run through August 1, but could be closed earlier for biological reasons. Limits are three daily, nine in possession and 20 statewide for the season. Barbless hooks are required. Fishing hours are from one half hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Additionally, the Commission approved a lower Salmon River fishery beginning June 21 and closing July 5. The caveat on this segment is that Fish and Game has not yet received federal approval to conduct this fishery. Staff strongly believes that approval will be forthcoming, but needs to make sure people are aware of this final step before a season can be implemented. The segment to be opened is from Hammer Creek boat ramp upstream to Vinegar Creek boat ramp. Vinegar Creek is about 25 miles upstream from Riggins and the Little Salmon River. The spring chinook salmon season on the lower Salmon River will close on June 20, and the summer chinook season will begin the next day. Limits are three daily, nine in possession and a total of 20 statewide for the season. Fishing hours are from one half hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Unless otherwise noted, rules currently in effect for spring chinook seasons ongoing on the Snake, Clearwater, Salmon, and Little Salmon rivers also apply.