Lower Clearwater and North Fork Clearwater Rivers Reopen

LEWISTON - - Criteria developed by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission for reopening the spring hatchery chinook season on the lower mainstem Clearwater River and North Fork Clearwater River have been met. The season will open in these two river sections one half hour before sunrise on Saturday, June 28, 2003. These sections include the Clearwater River from the Railroad Bridge in Lewiston upstream to the Orofino Bridge, and in the North Fork Clearwater River from its mouth upstream to Dworshak Dam. This fishery, and all other Idaho chinook salmon fisheries, have limits of 2 hatchery salmon per day, 6 in possession and 20 for the season. All other regulations printed in the existing 2003 spring chinook fishing seasons and rules brochure remain in effect, except that the season will end August 3. During a June 23 conference call, the Commission adopted a framework for the Department to reopen these river sections in 2003 only when the combination of tribal harvest and excess brood collection total the preseason harvest target of 1,700 salmon; and sufficient broodstock for program continuation at the Dworshak National Fish Hatchery has been collected. With these requirements being met, the Commission felt that there were no biological constraints to reopening the season. Tribal fishing will continue in common with the sport fishery.