Idaho anglers will be able to start fishing for Chinook salmon on Saturday, April 23.

But this year's return of Chinook salmon appears to be late, and anglers shouldn’t expect many fish to be in Idaho waters when the season opens.

Chinook fishing seasons will open in the Clearwater River, Snake River, Little Salmon and part of the lower Salmon rivers. As of April 17, however, only 11 adult Chinook had been counted crossing Lower Granite Dam, the last dam fish pass as they migrate up the Snake River.

Closing dates will be announced by Fish and Game.

In the Clearwater River drainage the daily limit is three Chinook; only one may be an adult (24 or more inches long). The possession limit is nine; only three may be adults.

In the Snake River from Dug Bar to Hells Canyon Dam, the lower Salmon and the Little Salmon rivers, the daily limit is four Chinook; only two may be adults. The possession limit is 12; only six may be adults.

The statewide annual limit is 20 adult Chinook in the 2011 seasons closing before September 1.

Daylight fishing hours will be published in the season brochure available at fishing license vendors and Fish and Game offices.

Waters that open April 23 are:

·         Clearwater River, mainstem:

o   Lower – from the Camas Prairie Railroad Bridge at Lewiston upstream to the Cherrylane Bridge

o   Middle – from the Cherrylane Bridge upstream to the Orofino Bridge, excluding the perimeter of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery at Ahsahka, and excluding the ladder to the Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery as marked by posted boundaries about 100 yards upstream and downstream of the ladder and extending into the river about 50 yards.

o   Upper – from the Orofino Bridge upstream to the South Fork Clearwater River.

·         North Fork Clearwater: From the mouth to the Dworshak Dam, excluding the perimeter of the Dworshak National Hatchery at Ahsahka.

·         South Fork Clearwater: From its mouth to the confluence of the American and Red rivers.

·         Middle Fork Clearwater: From the South Fork upstream to the confluence of the Lochsa and Selway rivers.

·         Lochsa River: From its mouth to the Twin Bridges immediately upstream from the confluence of Crooked Fork and Colt Killed Creeks.

·         Lower Salmon River:

o   Pine Bar – From the Rice Creek Bridge upstream to the posted boundary about 200 yards downstream of the Hammer Creek boat ramp.

o   Hammer Creek – From a posted boundary about 200 yards downstream from the Hammer Creek boat ramp upstream to the U.S. Highway 95 Time Zone Bridge.

o   Park Hole – From the Time Zone Bridge upstream to a posted boundary at the mouth of Short’s Creek, about 1.4 miles upstream of the mouth of the Little Salmon River.

·         Little Salmon:

o   Lower – From the mouth to a posted boundary about 200 yards upstream of the mouth of the Rapid River.

o   Upper – from the posted boundary about 200 yards upstream of the Rapid River upstream to the U.S. Highway 95 Bridge near Smokey Boulder Road.

·         Snake River: From the Dug Bar boat ramp upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.

All these waters will remain open until further notice. All salmon anglers 14 years old and older must have a 2011 Idaho fishing license and salmon permit. Additional information is available on the Fish and Game website at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/fish/rules/chinook_seasons/.

News Source: Idaho F&G - Apr. 19, 2011