Date: July 13, 2009
Contact: Ed Mitchell
(208) 334-3700
Idaho Fish and Game plans to bring another load of Chinook salmon to the Boise River from the Rapid River Hatchery Tuesday afternoon, July 14.
About 200 fish will be split between only two sites - the Glenwood Bridge and Barber Park. The fish are scheduled to arrive between 2 and 4 p.m. Tuesday.
A Chinook salmon fishing season is open on the Boise River downstream of Barber Dam 24 hours a day until September 6 or further notice.
"This is a taste of what used to be in the Boise River only a generation ago when people caught salmon and steelhead," said Jeff Dillon, fishery manager for Fish and Game's Southwest Region. "This gives people a chance to experience what their grandparents experienced."
Chinook are present in the Boise River only when stocked by Idaho Fish and Game. This year the large return of Chinook jacks to some of Idaho's hatcheries has allowed Fish and Game to move some of those fish to the Boise River. Steelhead and Chinook salmon historically migrated up the Boise River to spawn.
On July 2, Fish and Game released 150 Chinook in the Boise. These are hatchery fish beyond what Idaho hatcheries need for broodstock to raise the next generation of salmon, which will be released to swim to the Pacific Ocean and return to Idaho a couple of years later.
They are mostly males, 20 to 25 inches long and three to six pounds.
The daily limit is two salmon - regardless of size - and the possession limit is six salmon, and all Chinook caught must be recorded on the angler's salmon permit.
Chinook salmon anglers may use hooks, no larger than five-eight inch - barbless hooks are not required on the Boise River. Snagging or attempting to snag salmon is unlawful.
* 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, as recorded on their permits, 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=4986
