Spring Chinook Seasons Open Soon

Meeting by conference call April 3, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission voted to open seasons for spring chinook salmon April 12 on the mainstem and north fork of the Clearwater River. The season on the lower Salmon River and Little Salmon River will open April 26. "This run is early, and the majority of them are three-ocean (meaning they have spent three years in the ocean since migrating downstream)," said anadromous fisheries coordinator Bill Horton, "and that means BIG fish." Horton said anglers should expect to see fish from 36 to 44 inches, maybe longer, and weighing 20 pounds or more. The state record, caught in the Salmon River in 1956, was 54 pounds. Limits will be two per day, six in possession and 10 for the season. Although seasons could close earlier for biological reasons, the closing date for the lower Salmon River is June 15. For the mainstem and north fork of the Clearwater River is set at July 6; and the Little Salmon River will close August 3. Fishing hours will be from one-half hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. A major change in the rules this year is that any salmon snagged anywhere in the body must be immediately released. Previously, salmon snagged in the head could be kept. Recent seasons have had repeated instances of anglers trying to use snagging as their only method, rather than actually fishing.