F&G Commission Adds Salmon Season, Adjusts Limits

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission Monday, June 6, increased the bag limits on adult Chinook salmon in the Clearwater River drainage to two per day and six in possession. The commissioners also set a limited jacks-only season on another section of the upper Salmon River. Fish and Game fishery managers estimate the numbers of adult Chinook heading back to Idaho's Clearwater drainage to be about twice the preseason estimate, anadromous fish manager Pete Hassemer told commissioners. The increased bag limits are effective immediately on the Clearwater River main stem, the North Fork, South Fork and Middle Fork Clearwater rivers, and the Lochsa River. The statewide season limit remains 20 adult Chinook during any 2011 salmon seasons occurring before September 1, 2011. All other salmon fishing rules remain the same and are listed in the 2011 Chinook seasons and rules brochure. The commission set a Chinook fishing season in the upper Salmon River reach near Stanley. The season opens July 9 and closes at the end of fishing on July 17. Fishing hours are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. MDT. The season is limited to two jack salmon per day and six in possession. No adult Chinook may be taken. Only Chinook less than 24 inches long, with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept. The Stanley area reach extends from a posted boundary about 20 yards upstream of Valley Creek in Stanley, upstream to the posted boundary about 100 yards downstream of the weir at the Sawtooth Hatchery south of Stanley. Anglers must stop fishing for Chinook salmon when they have retained their daily, possession or season limit of adult Chinook or their overall daily or possession limit of Chinook of any size, whichever comes first. All other salmon fishing rules remain in effect.