Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopted a fall Chinook salmon fishing season to open August 18 on parts of the Snake, Clearwater and Salmon rivers.
Commissioners approved the 2017 fall Chinook fishing seasons during their meeting in Bonners Ferry on Thursday, July 27.
The 2017 fall Chinook forecast is 27,190 hatchery and naturally-produced fall Chinook returning to the Snake River basin. Last year's actual return was 37,400 fall Chinook.
Areas opening for fall Chinook fishing on August 18, 2017 are as follows;
- The Snake River from the Washington/Idaho border upstream to Cliff Mountain Rapids (about a mile downstream of Hells Canyon Dam). Scheduled to remain open until notice or October 31, whichever comes first.
- The Snake River from Hells Canyon Dam downstream to Cliff Mountain Rapids. Scheduled to remain open until notice or November 17, whichever comes first.
- Clearwater River, from its mouth upstream to Memorial Bridge. Scheduled to remain open until notice or October 31, whichever comes first.
- Salmon River, from its mouth upstream about three-fourths of a mile to Eye of the Needle Rapids. Scheduled to remain open until notice or October 31, whichever comes first.
A valid fishing license and salmon permit are required to fish for fall Chinook. Adipose-clipped adult salmon (24-inches and longer) may be kept, as well as any jack fall Chinook (those less than 24 inches), adipose-clipped or unclipped.
The daily bag limit is six adult fall Chinook salmon, and the possession limit is 18. There is no season limit on adult fall Chinook. Only adult fall Chinook must be recorded on the angler's salmon permit. There are no daily, possession or season limits on jack fall Chinook salmon. Anglers who harvested 20 chinook during spring and summer seasons are allowed to fish for fall chinook.
The 2017 Fall Chinook salmon Seasons and Rules brochure will be available at Fish and Game offices, license vendors, or here online.
This season will mark the ninth year of fall chinook fishing. Dam counts at Bonneville Dam for fall chinook starts on Aug. 1. You can track the progress of the run through the Columbia/Snake River dam counts.