Salmon Season To Open In April

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has approved a spring Chinook salmon season to begin in April.

This year's season will be similar to that of last year with a few exceptions. The Snake River, Clearwater River (including the North Fork and South Fork), Lower Salmon River and Little Salmon River will open on April 23. The Lochsa River will open on May 28. No season was authorized in the Middle Fork Clearwater River (from the South Fork to the confluence with the Lochsa and Selway Rivers) because of projected numbers of adult salmon returning to the Kooskia Nationals Fish Hatchery.

Most of these rivers are scheduled to close on July 31 or earlier if Fish and Game sees a biological need to close any or all fisheries. The two exceptions to the July 31 closure are the Lower Snake River, which is scheduled to close May 30, and the Lower Salmon River which is scheduled to close for spring chinook fishing on June 19.

Anglers will again be allowed to keep 20 chinook salmon statewide, however only 10 of those can be taken from the Lower Snake and Clearwater drainage combined. The daily, possession, and season limits are as follows:
- Lower Snake River and Clearwater drainage: Daily-1, Posession-3, Season-10

- Upper Snake, Lower Salmon, Little Salmon Rivers: Daily-2, Posession-6, Season-20

Fishery boundaries are similar to those of last year:
- Lower Snake River: From Southway Bridge upstream to the Heller Bar concrete boat ramp.

- Upper Snake River: From the Dug Bar boat ramp upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.

- Mainstem Clearwater River: From the Camas Prairie Railroad Bridge at Lewiston upstream to the South Fork Clearwater River (excluding the perimeter of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery at Ahsahka, and excluding the ladder to the Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery as delineated by posted boundaries approximately 100 yards upstream and downstream from the ladder, and a boundary approximately 50 yards into the river channel).

- North Fork Clearwater River: From its mouth upstream to Dworshak Dam (excluding the perimeter of Dworshak national Fish Hatchery at Ahsahka).

- South Fork Clearwater River: From its mouth upstream to the confluence of the American and Red Rivers.

- Lochsa River: From its mouth upstream to the Twin Bridges immediately upstream from the confluence of the Crooked Fork and Colt Killed Creeks.

- Lower Salmon River: From the Hammer Creek boat ramp upstream to a posted boundary at the mouth of the Little Salmon River.

- Little Salmon River: From a posted boundary at the mouth of the Little Salmon River upstream to U.S. Highway 95 bridge near Smokey Boulder Road.

Anglers must adhere to established rules that include using barbless hooks no larger than 5/8 inch from point to shank. Anglers must quit fishing once they have attained daily, possession or season limits and cannot possess more fish than are legal for the water they are fishing. It is unlawful to take or attempt to take salmon by snagging. In the Lochsa River anglers may only use artificial flies and lures with one barbless hook (a single hook may have up to three points). Anglers may only fish for chinook salmon from one-half hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

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