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Idaho Approves Spring Chinook Fishing Rules by Eric Barker Moscow-Pullman Daily News, March 30, 2025

Fish and Game expects return of 32,000 hatchery and 8,000 wild fish

Idaho's spring chinook season will open April 26 on parts of the Clearwater, Salmon, Little Salmon and Snake rivers.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved seasons last week that are reflective of the less-than-stellar run forecasts from state, tribal and federal fisheries agencies. The Clearwater River and its North, South and Middle forks, the lower Salmon River and the Little Salmon River will be open Thursdays through Sundays with a daily bag limit of one adult salmon. The Snake River between Dug Bar and Hells Canyon Dam will be open seven days a week with a daily bag limit of two adult salmon. In all open sections, anglers can keep up to four salmon per day but must abide by the relevant daily limits for adult fish.

John Cassinelli, anadromous fish policy manager for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, told commissioners that about 32,000 hatchery and 8,000 wild spring chinook are expected to return to the Snake River and its tributaries this year.

The department is projecting a return of 11,664 hatchery chinook to the Clearwater River, which would result in a harvest share -- the number of fish anglers can catch while leaving enough for spawning -- of about 1,144. Fisheries managers expect 7,533 hatchery chinook bound for the Rapid River Hatchery will pass through the lower Salmon and Little Salmon rivers, resulting in a projected harvest share of about 1,250. The Snake River in Hells Canyon will start with a projected harvest share of about 450 fish based on a forecast return of 1,382 adult fish.

Summer chinook fisheries will be considered in May. The department is forecasting about 2,671 hatchery chinook to the South Fork of the Clearwater River, which could lead to a harvest share of 530 if a season is approved there.