The Idaho Fish and Game Commission Thursday, May 14, adopted Chinook fishing seasons on the South Fork Salmon and Upper Salmon rivers, and changed the limits on parts of the lower Salmon, Little Salmon and Snake rivers.
South Fork Salmon River
On the lower South Fork, the season opens June 20 and runs through July 5 or until further notice, whichever comes first. On the upper South Fork Salmon River, the season opens June 20 and run until further notice.
Fishing hours for Chinook salmon will be from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time.
The daily bag limit is six Chinook salmon, no more than two may be 24 inches or more in total, whichever comes first. The possession limit is 18 Chinook salmon, no more than six may be 24 inches or more in total length, whichever comes first.
Affected waters open for Chinook fishing are:
- South Fork Salmon River mainstem - Lower: from the bridge on Forest Service Road 48 (Lick Creek/East Fork South Fork Road) where it crosses the mainstem South Fork Salmon River just upstream of the confluence with the East Fork South Fork Salmon River, upstream about 16 river miles to a posted boundary about one mile upstream from Fourmile Campground (about two miles downstream from Poverty Flat Campground).
- South Fork Salmon River mainstem - Upper: from a posted boundary about one mile upstream from Fourmile Campground (about two miles downstream from Poverty Flat Campground) upstream about 17 river miles to a posted boundary about 100 yards downstream from the Idaho Fish and Game South Fork Salmon River weir and trap.
Upper Salmon River
The season opens June 20 and runs until further notice. Fishing hours for Chinook salmon will from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time.
The daily bag limit is two Chinook salmon 24 inches or more in total length. The possession limit is six Chinook 24 inches or more in length.
No jacks may be kept. Only Chinook salmon greater than or equal to 24 inches total length with a clipped adipose fin (as evidence by a healed scar) may be kept.
Affected waters open for Chinook fishing are:
- Upper Salmon River - Town of Salmon to Pahsimeroi River: from the cable car crossing at the USGS flow gauging station, about 150 yards downstream of Island Park in Salmon, upstream to the posted boundary at the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River.
- Upper Salmon River - Pahsimeroi River to East Fork Salmon River: from a posted boundary at the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River, upstream to a posted boundary at the mouth of the East Fork Salmon River.
- Upper Salmon River - East Fork Salmon River to Sawtooth Hatchery: from a posted boundary at the mouth of the East Fork Salmon River, upstream to a posted boundary, about 100 yards downstream of the weir at Sawtooth Hatchery south of Stanley.
Lower Salmon, Little Salmon and Snake rivers
On the lower Salmon, Little Salmon and Snake rivers, listed below, amended bag and possession limits will take effect May 18 until further notice, if approved.
The new daily bag limit is six Chinook salmon, no more than two may be 24 inches or more in total length, whichever comes first. The possession limit is 18 Chinook, no more than six may be 24 inches or more in total length, whichever comes first.
Affected waters:
- Lower Salmon River - Hammer Creek: From a posted boundary about 200 yards downstream from the Hammer Creek boat ramp upstream to the U.S. Highway 95 Time Zone Bridge.
- Lower Salmon River - Park Hole: From the U.S. Highway 95 Time Zone Bridge upstream to a posted boundary at the mouth of Short's Creek (about 1.4 miles upstream of the mouth of the Little Salmon River).
- Lower Salmon River - Vinegar Creek: From the posted boundary at the mouth of Shorts' Creek upstream to the uppermost boat ramp at Vinegar Creek (about 25 miles upstream of the mouth of the Little Salmon River).
- Little Salmon River - Lower: From the mouth upstream to a posted boundary about 200 yards upstream of the mouth of Rapid River.
- Little Salmon River - Upper: From a posted boundary about 200 yards upstream of the mouth of Rapid River upstream to the U.S. Highway 95 Bridge near Smokey Boulder Road.
- Snake River - Hells Canyon: From the Dug Bar boat ramp upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.
In all these waters, Chinook salmon anglers may use only barbless hooks no larger than five-eight inch. Snagging or attempting to snag salmon is unlawful.
- Only Chinook salmon greater than or equal to 24 inches total length need to be carded (applies only where jacks may be kept).
- Only Chinook salmon with a clipped adipose fin (as evidence by a healed scar) may be kept.
- Anglers must cease fishing for Chinook salmon - including catch and release - when they retain the daily, possession or season limits for the water in which they are fishing.
- Anglers may not harvest more than 40 Chinook salmon 24 inches or more in total length during the season.
Anglers must have in their possession a valid 2009 Idaho fishing license and salmon permit to fish for Chinook. They should consult 2009 Chinook salmon rules, which would be 1 in season brochure and on the Fish and Game Web site at:
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/fish/salmon/.
