Date: June 22, 2009
Contact: Ed Mitchell
(208) 334-3700
In a flurry of recent management actions aimed at stretching Chinook salmon fishing seasons, Fish and Game has opened some Chinook seasons and closed others.
As of Saturday, June 20, here's a summary of what's open, and for how long:
Upper Salmon River: Open until further notice. Fishing hours are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time. Only two adult Chinook 24 or more inches in total length may be kept. No jacks may be taken.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
South Fork Salmon River: Fishing hours are from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time.
* Lower: Open through July 5 or until further notice, from the bridge on Forest Service Road 48 (Lick Creek/East Fork South Fork Road) where it crosses the South Fork Salmon River just upstream of the confluence with the East Fork South Fork Salmon River, upstream about 16 river miles to a posted boundary about one mile upstream from Fourmile Campground (about two miles downstream from Poverty Flat Campground).
* Upper: Open until further notice, from a posted boundary about one mile upstream from Fourmile Campground (about two miles downstream from Poverty Flat Campground) upstream about 17 river miles to a posted boundary about 100 yards downstream from the Idaho Fish and Game South Fork Salmon River weir and trap.
These rivers are open only for a few more days.
Lower Salmon River:
* Hammer Creek: Open until the end of fishing hours on Tuesday, June 23, from a posted boundary about 200 yards downstream from the Hammer Creek boat ramp upstream to the U.S. Highway 95 Time Zone Bridge.
* Park Hole: Open until the end of fishing hours on Tuesday, June 23, jacks only, from the U.S. Highway 95 Time Zone Bridge upstream to a posted boundary at the mouth of Short's Creek.
* Vinegar Creek: Open until the end of fishing hours Sunday, June 28, from the mouth of Shorts' Creek upstream to the uppermost boat ramp at Vinegar Creek.
Little Salmon River: Open until the end of fishing hours on Tuesday, June 23.
Clearwater tributaries:
South Fork Clearwater River: Open until the end of fishing hours on Wednesday, June 24, from its mouth to the confluence of the American and Red rivers.
Lochsa River: Open until the end of fishing hours on Wednesday, June 24, from its mouth to the Twin Bridges, immediately upstream from the confluence of Crooked Fork and Colt Killed creeks.
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 (applies only where jacks may be kept).
* Only Chinook salmon with a clipped adipose fin (as evidence 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 24 inches or more in total length 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 published in season brochures and on the Fish and Game Web site at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/fish/salmon/.
Source: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/releases/view.cfm?NewsID=4953
