An exciting fall Chinook season is ahead for anglers, with September 1 marking the first day of the season on parts of the Snake, Clearwater, and Salmon rivers.
The 2016 fall Chinook forecast is 32,800 hatchery and naturally-produced fall Chinook returning to the Snake River basin.
The Snake River will open for fall Chinook fishing from the Washington-Idaho border upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.
Fishing on the Snake River from the Idaho border upstream to Cliff Mountain Rapids (about a mile downstream of Hells Canyon Dam) will be open until Oct.31, but could be closed sooner depending on the actual number of fish that return and the amount of harvest. The stretch between Hells Canyon Dam downstream to Cliff Mountain Rapids is scheduled to remain open until Nov. 17.
The Clearwater River, from its mouth upstream to Memorial Bridge in Lewiston; and the Salmon River, from its mouth upstream about three-fourths of a mile to Eye of the Needle Rapids, will be open until October 31.
A valid fishing license and salmon permit are required to fish for fall Chinook. Only adipose-clipped salmon may be kept. 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 (24-inches and longer) must be recorded on the angler's salmon permit. There is no daily, possession, or season limit on fall Chinook jacks (those less than 24 inches).
The 2016 fall Chinook seasons and rules pamphlets will be available soon at license vendors and Fish and Game offices. They are available now online at https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/chinook/rules.