Salmon Seasons Likely to Close August 3

Salmon fisheries that are still open in Idaho will probably remain so until the last day of the scheduled seasons, August 3. Fisheries coordinator Bill Horton said the department is "very close to hatchery production goals" and there is no reason to close seasons early on hatchery-reared chinook. Horton noted that angling effort has been greatly reduced in recent days because of extreme heat throughout most of Idaho. Many of the ocean-run fish are nearing the end of their natural lives and are beginning to look "tired", Horton said. Anglers have been catching some salmon on the Lochsa River while pressure has largely disappeared on the rest of the Clearwater River where seasons are still open. The Little Salmon River fishery also remains open.