Salmon Season Proposed

At their March 16 meeting in Boise, Fish and Game Commissioners heard a proposal for a season on hatchery spring chinook salmon. Anadromous Fisheries Manager Sharon Kiefer made the presentation to the commission, which is expected to approve the proposal at its April 5-6 meeting if the numbers of salmon in the run match up with projections. The large run is expected because of good water flow conditions two years ago when adults returning now migrated as smolts to the ocean. Improved ocean conditions also contributed to better salmon survival. The projection for Lower Granite Dam is 69,600 to 103,000 of which 56,400 to 83,400 will be hatchery fish, meaning there will be a substantial number of fish available for harvest. The season proposal is to open April 14 or 21, depending on the run, and close August 5 unless the quota has been caught earlier. Hours would be one-half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset. Limits would be four daily, eight in possession, with a season limit of 40 if anglers buy a second salmon permit. Seasons would be open on the Lower Salmon; Little Salmon; Mainstem, North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork Clearwater; and Lochsa and Snake rivers. The Lower Salmon would close earlier than other waters, possibly in mid-June, to protect ESA-listed hatchery and natural chinook passing through. The limit on the Snake will be two per day and four in possession. Only hatchery fish missing the adipose fin may be harvested. Barbless hooks will be required. Kiefer wants public review, questions and comments before the April Commission meeting. She can be reached at (208) 334-3791. The proposals are also available for comment on the Fish and Game website at www2.state.id.us/fishgame. Look at the Programs and Information link under Fishing. The following are the specific locations proposed for chinook fishing, accompanied by fishing rules: Clearwater Boundaries Mainstem Clearwater River: From Railroad Bridge upstream to the confluence of South Fork Clearwater River and Middle Fork Clearwater River (excluding the perimeter of Dworshak National Fish hatchery at Ahsahka). North Fork Clearwater River: From its mouth upstream to Dworshak Dam (excluding the perimeter of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery at Ahsahka). Middle Fork Clearwater River: From the confluence with the South Fork of the Clearwater River upstream to the confluence of the Selway and Lochsa rivers. South Fork Clearwater River: From its mouth upstream to confluence with American and Red Rivers. Lochsa: From its mouth upstream to confluence of Crooked Fork and Colt Killed (Whitesands) creeks. Clearwater Special Restrictions Mainstem and North Fork - Fishing from the shoreline along the perimeter of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery is prohibited. Fishing from any watercraft or wading is prohibited between a posted line approximately 150 yards upstream from the mouth of the North Fork Clearwater River to the Ahsahka Highway Bridge. Lower Salmon River/Little Salmon Boundaries Lower Salmon River: From the Hammer Creek Boat Ramp upstream to the mouth of the Little Salmon River. Little Salmon River: From the mouth of the Little Salmon River upstream to the U.S. Highway 95 bridge near Smokey boulder Road (same as steelhead season boundary). Snake River Boundaries From Dug Bar boat ramp (about 6 miles upstream from Imnaha River) upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.