the film forum library tutorial contact

Fall Chinook Season Proposed by Staff Lewiston Tribune, August 10, 2009

Fisheries managers for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game have proposed a fall chinook fishing season between Lewiston and Hells Canyon Dam.

More than 28,000 fall chinook are predicted to return past Lower Granite Dam, 35 miles west of Lewiston. Most of those will be bound for the Snake River about the mouth of the Clearwater at Lewiston.

If approved next week by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, the season would start Sept. 1, the same day the Snake River opens to catch-and-keep steelhead fishing. The season would remain open until Oct. 31 or until further notice.

The daily bag limit would be one adult or jack fall chinook. Only fish with a clipped adipose fin, evidenced by a healed scar, could be kept. Anglers could keep 40 salmon for the year, including spring, summer and fall chinook.

Fishing rules are the same as those for steelhead.

The Snake River would open to fall chinook in four sections:

• From the Washington/Idaho state line upstream to the Interstate Bridge.
• Interstate Bridge upstream to the Oregon/Washington state line.
• From Oregon/Washington state line upstream to the mouth of Sheep Creek.
• Mouth of Sheep Creek upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.