Chinook Salmon

Lower Granite Dam Fisheries Research

Lower Granite Dam Fisheries Research

Idaho Department of Fish and Game

By Dalton D. Lebeda, IDFG/PSMFC Senior Fisheries Technician

Chinook salmon season near Ellis ends August 12

Idaho Fish and Game recently announced that the Chinook salmon season on the upper Salmon River near Ellis will close at the end of fishing hours on Sunday, August 12.

The river section of the upper Salmon River to close to salmon fishing is from the posted boundary at the Colston Corner Boat Ramp approximately 6.5 miles downstream of Ellis to a posted boundary approximately 50 yards upstream of the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River.

Spring/summer Chinook seasons end, but fall Chinook starts Aug. 18

All remaining Chinook salmon fisheries on the Snake, Clearwater, South Fork Clearwater, Middle Fork Clearwater and Upper Salmon rivers will close at the end of fishing hours on Aug. 12

F&G Commission approves Aug. 18 for fall Chinook fishing opener

Fall Chinook fishing on the Snake, Clearwater and Salmon rivers will open Aug. 18 and Idaho Fish and Game fisheries managers expect 18,126 adult fish to return to Idaho, which compares with 24,780 last year. 

Of the fish returning, managers are forecasting 12,013 hatchery Chinook and 6,113 natural origin. 

Most of the fishing opportunity will occur on the Snake River, but short sections of the Clearwater and Salmon will have some fishing. 

The following areas open to fishing for fall Chinook:

July 10: Chinook salmon fishing update for the Clearwater River, Rapid River, and Hells Canyon

This will be my last Chinook update for these fisheries as they either have closed down or anglers have lost interest due to poor catch rates.  I know this season was a bit of a disappointment as we would all like to see much higher returns, but by using rules recommended by anglers, we were able to appreciably extend the length of these fisheries.  I think this is a good example of us working together to provide you more of what you want (more time to salmon fish). 

Run Update and Harvest Share

Chinook Salmon in the Boise River

Idaho Fish and Game released 100 hatchery spring Chinook salmon into the Boise River on Thursday, July 5. The salmon were released at five locations – Glenwood Bridge, Americana, Boise State, Park Center and Barber Park. At some of the locations anglers were already waiting for the fish to hit the water.

July 3: Chinook fishing update for the Clearwater River, Rapid River, and Hells Canyon seasons

There will be no additional closures this week, but we are reopening a river section in the Clearwater. Please read on to find out the details.

Upper Salmon River between Idaho 93 and Idaho 75 to close to Chinook fishing July 7

Based on information available as of July 3,  Fish and Game fisheries managers estimate the sport fishery harvest for Chinook on a portion of the Upper Salmon River between the Highway 93 bridge located 0.3 miles south near Challis upstream to the posted boundary below Sawtooth hatchery will meet the harvest share by the end of fishing hours on July 7, so Chinook angling will close. 

Anglers had some good fishing in that stretch and caught a lot of hatchery Chinook. 

South Fork Salmon River to close for Chinook fishing July 5

Based on harvest information, Fish and Game fishery managers estimate that sport fishery harvest for Chinook Salmon on the South Fork Salmon River will be met by the end of fishing hours on July 5. 

Fish and Game adds section of Upper Salmon River near Ellis for Chinook fishing

Starting July 7, Chinook fishing will open in the section from the Colston Corner boat ramp upstream to the posted boundary about 50 yards upstream of the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River.