Chinook Salmon

Clearwater Region's weekly Chinook Salmon update (5/23/18)

Message from Fisheries Manager, Joe DuPont

Hi Everybody.  It’s time for the Clearwater Region’s weekly Chinook Salmon update (5/23/18).

Run Update and Harvest Share

Clearwater Region's weekly Chinook salmon update: May 18

Chinook are finally arriving in Idaho, but run may be below forecast 

F&G Commission postpones decision on summer Chinook fishing season

A late Chinook salmon return prompted Fish and Game commissioners on May 10 to postpone a decision on setting summer fishing seasons on the Clearwater, South Fork of the Salmon and Upper Salmon rivers. 

Spring chinook fishing is currently open on several rivers, but fish have been slow to return and by Monday, May 14, less than 800 spring Chinook had crossed Lower Granite Dam about 25 miles downstream from Lewiston. That’s less than 5 percent of the 10-year average for that date. 

Clearwater Region Chinook Update (5/11/18)

Message from Fisheries Manager, Joe DuPont

Run Size 

Since I talked to you last week, we have seen counts of adult Chinook Salmon over Bonneville Dam pick up considerably only to drop back down.  The counts were actually fairly exciting for five days and brought us up from the 6th worst count ever at Bonneville (out of 80 years) to the 22nd worst.  So, I would say things are looking much better.  

Clearwater Region Chinook Update 5/4/18

Message from Clearwater fisheries manager, Joe DuPont.

Spring Chinook run-status update, April 27

Run is late, but it's too early to tell if it will also be below forecast. 

Spring Chinook season opens April 28

Chinook fishing on the Clearwater, Snake, Salmon and Little Salmon rivers opens April 28 and will run until closed by the Fish and Game director. 

Fisheries managers are forecasting a run of 66,000 spring Chinook, roughly double last year’s return and slightly above the 10-year average of 62,000, but so far, few fish have started crossing the dams and only six had crossed Lower Granite Dam near Lewiston as of April 21. 

Spirit Lake Chinook Fishery Update

Since 2016, Spirit Lake has been part of a statewide study to evaluate the performance of hatchery-stocked Chinook salmon. These Chinook are landlocked (meaning they do not migrate to the ocean), but can still reach large sizes in waters with abundant kokanee. Prior to 2016, there were no Chinook salmon in Spirit Lake. Chinook can be found in several other lakes and reservoirs around the state, including Lake Coeur d’Alene where they have supported a fishery for nearly 40 years.

Commission approves spring Chinook season, opener is April 28

Fish and Game Commission on Thursday, March 22 approved spring Chinook fishing on the Clearwater, Snake, Salmon and Little Salmon rivers to start April 28 and run until closed by the Fish and Game director. 

Fisheries managers are forecasting a run of 66,000 spring Chinook, roughly double last year’s return and slightly above the 10-year average of 62,000. 

Included in the forecast are 53,000 hatchery Chinook and 13,000 wild Chinook. The 2017 return was 30,000 and 4,000. 

Spirit Lake Chinook Fishing | A Few Reminders

Since 2016, Spirit Lake has been part of a statewide study to evaluate the performance of hatchery-stocked Chinook salmon. These Chinook are landlocked (meaning they do not migrate to the ocean), but can still reach large sizes in waters with abundant kokanee.  Prior to 2016, there were no Chinook salmon in Spirit Lake.  Chinook can be found in several other lakes and reservoirs around the state, including Lake Coeur d’Alene where they have supported a fishery for nearly 40 years.