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Salmon Migration Begins by Staff Idaho Mountain Express, March 25, 2015

Fishing limits to be set

As the first spring Chinook salmon move into the Columbia Basin, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission is preparing to set seasons and limits for Idaho anglers. Fisheries managers expect spring Chinook returns to be average or slightly above average, depending on the river.

Early season projections suggest the return of summer Chinook to the South Fork Salmon River will be the second best in 10 years, and the return of wild spring Chinook could be above average. Biologists estimate more than 30,000 hatchery-origin spring Chinook will return to the lower Salmon River, Little Salmon River, Clearwater River and Snake River at Hells Canyon.

Managers will propose seasons and limits based on a projected sport harvest of about 11,700 adipose-clipped spring Chinook salmon. These numbers are very similar to those experienced during the spring 2014 Chinook salmon run.

The commission will hear public comments on these and other issues Monday, March 23, in the main auditorium at the Washington Group Plaza at 720 E. Park Boulevard in Boise. The public hearing begins at 7 p.m.

The commission is expected to take action on these proposals during a meeting on Tuesday, March 24, in the Trophy Room at Fish and Game Headquarters at 600 S. Walnut in Boise. That meeting begins at 8 a.m. To view the agenda and the 2015 Commission meeting schedule, go to: fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/about/commission/?getPage=184.