The Idaho Fish and Game Commission Thursday, May 14, approved changes in Chinook salmon seasons and limits on the Clearwater and Lochsa rivers.
A greatly reduced Chinook salmon run this year - from one half to one third of the predicted numbers - will also affect Chinook seasons in Idaho.
Effective Monday, May 18, the daily and possession limits have been changed on the Clearwater, the North Fork Clearwater, South Fork Clearwater, and the Lochsa rivers.
The Middle Fork Clearwater River will close effective Monday, May 18.
The limit is four salmon, but only one may be 24 inches or more in total length, whichever comes first. The possession limit is 12 salmon, three of which may be 24 inches or more in total length, whichever comes first.
The affected waters are:
- Clearwater River, mainstem - Lower: From the Camas Prairie Railroad Bridge near Lewiston, upstream to the Cherrylane Bridge.
- Clearwater River, mainstem - Middle: From the Cherrylane Bridge upstream to the Orofino Bridge.
- Clearwater River, mainstem - Upper: From the Orofino Bridge upstream to the South Fork Clearwater River.
- North Fork Clearwater River: From its mouth to Dworshak Dam.
- South Fork Clearwater River: From its mouth to the confluence of the American and Red rivers.
- Middle Fork Clearwater River: From its confluence with the South Fork upstream to the confluence of the Lochsa and Selway rivers.
- Lochsa River: From its mouth to the Twin Bridges, immediately upstream from the confluence of Crooked Fork and Colt Killed creeks.
Chinook salmon anglers may use only barbless hooks no larger than five-eight inch. Snagging or attempting to snag salmon is unlawful.
- Only Chinook salmon greater than or equal to 24 inches total length need to be carded (applies only where jacks may be kept).
- Only Chinook salmon with a clipped adipose fin (as evidence by a healed scar) may be kept.
- Anglers must cease fishing for Chinook salmon - including catch and release - when they retain the daily, possession or season limits for the water in which they are fishing.
- Anglers may not harvest more than 40 Chinook salmon 24 inches or more in total length during the season.
Anglers must have in their possession a valid 2009 Idaho fishing license and salmon permit to fish for Chinook. They should consult 2009 Chinook salmon rules, which would be 1 in season brochure and on the Fish and Game Web site at:
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/fish/salmon/.
