In an effort to allow anglers better opportunities to catch abundant jack chinook, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission expanded three chinook fishing areas in the Clearwater basin Thursday.
- The lower Clearwater River will now be open from the Railroad Bridge at Lewiston to Cherrylane Bridge. The upstream boundary had stopped at Arrow Bridge prior to the change.
- The Clearwater River is also open from Lenore Bridge to Greer Bridge. Prior to the expansion, the river had only been open from the mouth of the North Fork Clearwater to Greer Bridge.
- The South Fork Clearwater is now open from its mouth to the confluence of the American and Red rivers. The South Fork had been open only between the State Highway 13 Bridge and the State Highway 14 Bridge.
Although returns of adult chinook have been disappointing this year, jack chinook, which spend just one year in the ocean, have been a bright spot. Through Wednesday, more than 25,000 jacks had been counted at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River. The 10-year average is about 12,000. At Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River, 4,167 jacks had been counted as of Wednesday. The 10-year average is 858.
The Clearwater and its tributaries are open Fridays through Mondays. The commission did not make any changes to seasons on the Salmon, Little Salmon or Snake rivers, nor did it change any other rules.
Staff
Big Run of Spring Chinook Jack Salmon Prompts IDFG to Open Clearwater Areas
Lewiston Tribune, May 17, 2013
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