When does salmon season open?

Season opening dates for salmon are predicated on projected run sizes. The forecasted salmon returns for 2013 are lower than in recent years and in some cases not too much more than what is required for broodstock at the hatcheries of origin. Because the forecasts are low IDFG has deferred proposing  seasons or opening dates to our Fish and Game Commission  until we get a pre-season glimpse in early April of what is actually coming back based on PIT tag detection data from Bonneville Dam on the lower Columbia River.  Expect to hear an update in the third week of April.