Salmon Migration Begins - Commission to set Spring Seasons

As the first spring Chinook salmon move into the Columbia Basin, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission is preparing to set seasons and limits for Idaho anglers. Fisheries managers are expecting spring Chinook returns to be average or slightly above average, depending on the river. Meanwhile, early season projections suggest the return of summer Chinook to the South Fork Salmon River will be the second best in ten years and the return of wild spring Chinook could be above average. Biologists estimate more than 30,000 hatchery origin spring Chinook will return to the lower Salmon River, Little Salmon River, Clearwater River and Snake River at Hells Canyon. Managers will propose seasons and limits based on a projected sport harvest of approximately 11,700 adipose clipped spring Chinook salmon. These numbers are very similar to those experienced during the spring 2014 Chinook salmon run. The Commission will hear public comments on these and other issues on Monday, March 23 in the main auditorium at the Washington Group Plaza at 720 East Park Boulevard in Boise. The public hearing begins at 7 p.m. Anyone wishing to address the Commission on these proposals and any other Fish and Game related issues is urged to attend. The Commission is expected to take action on these proposals during a meeting on Tuesday, March 24 in the Trophy Room at Fish and Game Headquarters at 600 South Walnut in Boise. That meeting begins at 8:00 a.m. To view the agenda and the 2015 Commission meeting schedule, go to: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/about/commission/?getPage=184.