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Need Salmon Answers by Keith E. Carlson Lewiston Tribune, July 10, 2026

Idaho law designates the governor responsible for management of
Idaho's recovery efforts of Endangered Species Act-listed species.

The recent return of spring Chinook salmon was disappointing and the future does not look bright.

On June 9, I mailed a letter to Gov. Brad Little concerning these dismal returns of Chinook salmon to Idaho.

In part, I wrote, "This year's run of Idaho spring Chinook salmon is just about complete with only a 72% return at Lower Granite Dam compared to the ten year average."

This must be taken in context as the 10-year average has declined from 58,387 in 2016 to only 38,430 for the current year.

The return of "jacks," one(-year) ocean fish, is even more dismal at only 53% of the declining 10-year average.

This does not bode well for next year's return. These numbers include both "wild" and hatchery origin fish."

Idaho law designates the governor responsible for management of Idaho's recovery efforts of Endangered Species Act-listed species.

The governor appoints the members of the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and the Idaho members of the Northwest Power Council.

As of June 26, I have received no reply. It is not important that the governor does not reply to a letter, but he must inform the public.

The Idaho public deserves to have updated information concerning their salmon and steelhead and what, if anything, has been done to improve the current dismal prospects and what is being done for the future of our irreplaceable salmon and steelhead.

"Hope" is a poor strategy in warfare and fisheries management. Idaho can, and must, do better.