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Idaho Fish and Game

Salmon Season Closes on Some Rivers, Stays Open on Others

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The spring Chinook salmon season closes Wednesday, May 30, on the mainstem Clearwater River from the railroad bridge at Lewiston upstream to the Cherrylane Bridge, and on the North Fork below the Dworshak Dam. Fishery managers estimate that the harvest target for the recreational fishery share of surplus Dworshak National Fish Hatchery adult Chinook salmon has been met. In addition, the season closes on the Lower Salmon River-Hammer Creek one hour after sunset on Saturday, June 2. This section stretches from the Hammer Creek boat ramp upstream to the Time Zone Bridge. This section is being closed because the harvest target of hatchery spring Chinook adults bound for Rapid River Fish Hatchery is expected to be met. The good news is that fishing remains open until further notice on these waters:
  • Upper Snake River: From the Dug Bar boat ramp upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.
  • Upper Mainstem Clearwater River: From the Orofino Bridge upstream to the Kamiah Bridge.
  • South Fork Clearwater River: From its mouth upstream to the confluence of American and Red rivers.
  • Little Salmon River: From a posted boundary at the mouth of the Little Salmon River upstream to U. S. Highway 95 bridge near Smokey Boulder Road.
  • Lochsa River: From its mouth upstream to the Twin Bridges immediately upstream from the confluence of Crooked Fork and Colt Killed creeks.
Fishery managers will continue to evaluate the fishery on a weekly basis to assess the hatchery run sizes and achievement of harvest targets. Fishing will be permitted from a half hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset, local time. Chinook anglers will be allowed to keep one fish daily, have three in their possession and keep 10 for the season. Anglers must stop fishing when they have reached daily, possession or season limits. It is unlawful to take or attempt to take salmon by snagging. They may use only barbless hooks no larger than five-eights of an inch from point to shank. In the Lochsa, salmon may be taken only with artificial flies and a single barbless hook per fly, one hook may have up to three points, and no bait. Only Chinook marked with a scar from a clipped adipose fin may be kept. All anglers, except residents younger than 14, must have a valid 2007 Idaho fishing license and salmon permit.