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Fall chinook and coho fishing seasons will open
September 1 |
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August 27, 2015 |
September 1 marks the first day of the fall
Chinook salmon fishing season on parts of the
Snake, Clearwater, and Salmon rivers, as well as
the second-ever coho season on the Clearwater
River.
Chinook Salmon Season Details
The 2015 fall Chinook forecast is 37,000
hatchery and naturally-produced fall Chinook to
the Snake River basin.
The Snake River will open for fall Chinook
fishing from the Washington-Idaho border
upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.
Fishing on the Snake River from the Cliff
Mountain Rapids (about a mile downstream of
Hells Canyon Dam) will be open until October 31,
but could be closed sooner depending on the
actual number of fish that return and the amount
of harvest. The stretch between Hells Canyon Dam
and Cliff Mountain Rapids is scheduled to remain
open until November 17, or until further notice.
The Clearwater River, from its mouth upstream to
Memorial Bridge in Lewiston; and the Salmon
River, from its mouth upstream about
three-fourths of a mile to Eye of the Needle
Rapids, will be open until October 31, or until
further notice.
A valid fishing license and salmon permit are
required to fish for fall Chinook. Only
adipose-clipped salmon may be kept. The daily
bag limit is six adult fall Chinook salmon, the
possession limit is 18 adult fall Chinook. There
is no season limit on adult fall Chinook.
Only adult fall Chinook (24-inches and longer)
must be recorded on the angler's salmon permit.
There is no daily, possession, or season limit
on fall Chinook jacks (those less than 24
inches).
Coho Salmon Season Details
This fall, anglers will enjoy the second
consecutive coho salmon season in over 30 years.
Fisheries managers predict between 18,000 and
5,000 coho will return to Idaho, enough to
provide a tribal and non-tribal sport fishery.
The coho season will run through November 15 on
the mainstem and Middle Fork Clearwater River
from the mouth upstream to Clear Creek near
Kooskia, and on the North Fork Clearwater River
downstream from Dworshak Dam.
Anglers can keep two coho salmon per day and
have 6 in possession. The season limit is 10.
Coho released from the Nez Perce Tribe's
hatchery program have not had their adipose fins
clipped. Anglers are reminded that they may keep
coho salmon with an intact adipose fin, but fall
Chinook salmon with adipose fins must be
released unharmed. With both salmon in these
rivers, anglers are encouraged to carefully
identify their catch before harvest.
Color fish illustrations are printed in the
general fishing seasons and rules brochure and
online at:
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/knowCatch.pdf.
The 2015 fall Chinook seasons and rules
pamphlets are available at license vendors and
Fish and Game offices. Both the Fall Chinook and
Coho pamphlets are available online at:
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=110. |
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