Little Salmon River Season Set for May 12

The season for hatchery spring chinook salmon on the Little Salmon River will open Friday, May 12, as proposed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Late last week the National Marine Fisheries Service agreed that the season did not pose a threat to wild salmon in the river. Authorization from that agency was required because of the presence of the wild salmon. The season is set to run through August 4, but could close earlier for biological reasons. Fishing hours in this season are from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The boundaries on the Little Salmon River are from the main Salmon River road bridge on the Little Salmon River (road number 1614) upstream to the first highway bridge crossing the Little Salmon south of Rapid River. This is the highway bridge between Rapid River and the Sheep Creek rest area. Limits in all areas are three per day and six in possession. The statewide season limit is 20. Only hatchery chinook without an adipose fin may be kept. Once an angler reaches his or her limit, it is not legal to continue fishing for salmon.