Federal Agents Patrol for Closed Season Chinook Fishing

Now that salmon seasons in Idaho are closed for this year, anglers need to be a little careful on streams where salmon are present along with other species of fish. Last year a central Idaho resident pleaded guilty in federal court to the charge of unlawful take of a listed Chinook under the Endangered Species Act. The angler caught an adult Chinook in the Salmon River above Clayton. He took pictures of the fish for nearly five minutes, according to a witness, before releasing it back to the river. In late July, a Pocatello man was cited for catching and releasing an adult Chinook at the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River. Anglers are reminded that there is no open Chinook salmon season in Idaho. It is against state and federal law to fish for, harass, or harvest in any way anadromous 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 taking of a salmon or steelhead listed as threatened or endangered by noncommercial fishing, such as 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 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. Anglers should not worry about being cited unless they are intentionally targeting salmon or are careless with an accidentally-hooked adult fish. Trout fishermen who inadvertently hook a salmon should release the fish as soon as possible without taking it out of the water. If you know you have a salmon on your line, then cutting the line is a good option to avoid stressing the fish in warm water.