The Chinook salmon fishing season will remain open on the upper Salmon River, upstream of the city of Salmon, through at least Wednesday, July 22.
Idaho Fish and Game fishery managers will assess the fishery on Monday for the likelihood of additional fishing days after Wednesday. Anglers already have taken a total of 1,601 adult Chinook salmon, which is about 60 percent of the state's nontribal harvest share in the upper Salmon River.
Fish are entering hatchery traps in greater numbers than required for daily broodstock collections. Most of these excess fish have been recycled back through the fishery. The Sawtooth Hatchery has released hatchery fish at Torrey's Hole and the Watts Bridge, downstream of Challis, and the Pahsimeroi hatchery is releasing fish into the river at the city of Salmon.
From the city of Salmon upstream to the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River on the upper Salmon River, the daily bag limit is six fish, no more than two of which may be 24 or more inches in total length. The possession limit is 18 fish, with no more than six, 24 or more inches long.
But keeping or having jacks in possession while fishing in the Salmon River upstream of the Pahsimeroi River continues to be prohibited. Upstream of the Pahsimeroi, the daily limit is two salmon and the possession limit six Chinook, 24 or more inches long.
No Chinook less than 24 inches in total length may be kept.
Anglers are reminded that they may not harvest sockeye salmon. Most sockeye salmon, like the Chinook jacks, are less than 24 inches long. Unlike Chinook, sockeye typically lack distinct black spots on the back and tail and also lack a black gum line.
Any sockeye caught must be released unharmed. Anglers, who are unsure of their ability to distinguish a Chinook less than 24 inches from a sockeye, are encouraged to release any salmon they catch that's less than 24 inches.
Upper Salmon River: Open until further notice. Fishing hours are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time.
- City 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. The daily limit is six salmon, but no more than two may be 24 inches or more in total length.
- 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. Only two Chinook, 24 or more inches in total length, may be kept. No fish under 24 inches may be kept.
- 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. Only two adult Chinook, 24 or more inches in total length, may be kept. No fish under 24 inches may be kept.
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.
- Only Chinook salmon with a clipped adipose fin (as evidenced 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, as recorded on their permits, 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 are 1 in season brochures and on the Fish and Game Web site at:
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/fish/salmon/.
