Federal Agents Looking for Closed Season Anglers

By Paul Sommerfeld, Idaho Department of Fish and Game Take note, anglers: there is no open Chinook salmon season in the Salmon Region. Last year, a Pocatello man was cited for catching and releasing Chinook salmon at the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River at Ellis. One person already has been cited by National Marine Fisheries Service agents for fishing in the Middle Fork of the Salmon River this summer. It is against state and federal law to fish for, harass, or harvest in any way anadromous, or ocean going, salmon unless the season is opened by Idaho Fish and Game Commission rule. Anglers who fish for Chinook with traditional salmon or steelhead gear or fish in traditional salmon holes, salmon spawning areas, or where adult salmon are visible, risk federal prosecution. "Unauthorized, non-knowing taking of a salmon or steelhead listed as threatened or endangered by noncommercial fishing, e.g., by use of hook-and-line recreational fishing gear is a violation of the endangered species act and is subject to a summary civil settlement of $450," the law says. The federal definition of take is broad and includes harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, kill, trap, wound, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct. Persons who intentionally harm a listed species may be subject to criminal prosecution resulting in more severe penalties. Anglers should not worry about being cited unless they are intentionally targeting salmon or are careless with an accidentally hooked adult fish. Trout anglers who inadvertently hook a salmon should release the fish as soon as possible without taking it out of the water. If anglers have a salmon on their line, then cutting the line is a good option to avoid stressing the fish in warm water. For more information, call the Idaho Department of Fish and Game regional office at 208-756-2271. Paul Sommerfeld is the regional conservation officer in the Salmon Region.