Salmon Anglers Must Use Barbless Hooks

The rules for the 2014 Chinook salmon season are now available on the Fish and Game website, and at most license vendors. If you pick up a copy from a vendor you should be aware that rules regarding "methods of take" have not changed. Anglers fishing for Chinook salmon must remove the barbs from all hooks. This is accomplished by bending the barbs all the way down to the shank of the hook. In addition, it is unlawful to use any hook larger than 5/8 inch measured from the point of the hook to the shank. Only single-point barbless hooks are allowed while fishing for salmon in the South Fork Clearwater River.