Idaho Fish and Game makes changes to spring chinook fisheries

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has decided to close the lower Salmon River for the rest of the spring chinook fishing season due to exceeding harvest goals. Regional fisheries manager Joe DuPont indicated that anglers caught approximately 855 adult chinook last week, with nearly 600 fish from the lower Salmon River. The closure reserves the remaining fish for anglers on the Little Salmon River, ensuring sustainable fishing practices. The agency has upgraded the harvest share estimate for the Rapid River run to 1,943, which helps manage the allocation between tribal and nontribal anglers. The department is also considering raising the seasonal bag limit from 10 to 20 adult fish and opening summer chinook seasons on the Lochsa, South Fork of the Salmon, and upper Salmon rivers.

The Clearwater River currently has an estimated harvest share of 5,043, with parts of it closing soon as they approach their goals. Meanwhile, the Snake River will remain open for another week, having around 200 fish left in its harvest share. These changes reflect the department's ongoing efforts to maintain fish populations and promote responsible fishing.