Salmon Season Closes on Clearwater, Mainstem Salmon

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is closing several rivers to fishing for spring Chinook salmon effective immediately. The rivers that are now closed are the mainstem Clearwater, the North Fork Clearwater and the Mainstem Salmon. Increasing angler success over the last four day interval in those fisheries resulted in cumulative harvests approaching the state's share of the harvestable surplus of hatchery spring Chinook. Anglers have taken approximately 90% of the state's share of surplus hatchery Chinook in the Clearwater River system. Recreational anglers fishing the mainstem Salmon and Little Salmon rivers have harvested about 80% of the state's share of surplus hatchery fish. Fishing will remain open on the South Fork Clearwater, the Lochsa River and the Little Salmon River for at least one more four day interval from Friday June 17 to Monday June 20. Anglers can also continue fishing the Snake River from Dug Bar Boat Ramp upstream to Hells Canyon Dam until the scheduled closure on Sunday June 19. Anglers will have a limited opportunity to harvest summer Chinook on the South Fork Salmon River from Goat Creek upstream to a marked boundary 100 yards downstream from the South Fork weir. The season there begins Friday June 17. Managers expect the season on the South Fork Salmon to be short because of a very limited number of surplus hatchery fish and a low allowance for incidental take of naturally produced Chinook protected by the Endangered Species Act. Anglers fishing any river for Chinook salmon are limited to a harvest of one fish per day, three fish and possession, and a season total of ten fish. Any angler who achieves any of these limits must stop fishing immediately. Anglers targeting salmon must have a valid Idaho fishing license and a salmon permit. Barbless hooks are required and only salmon with a clipped adipose fin may be kept. A complete list of the rules for salmon fishing in Idaho is available online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov./fish/rules/chinook_seasons/ Fish and Game will continue to monitor salmon harvest where seasons remain open and will provide updates on further closures as they happen on the web, and through statewide media outlets.