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Understanding Idaho Fish and Game's Decision to Stock Boise River with Surplus Chinook Salmon by Staff Idaho News CBS 2, August 7, 2023

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) -- Recently the Idaho Fish and Game stocked Chinook in the Boise River, which has some anglers asking why.

Idaho Fish and Game first clarified that the word "surplus," does not mean that these are unused Chinook salmon. Every fish is put to good use.

"Whether that is table fare for successful anglers or tribal fishers, contributing to hatchery broodstock, meeting ceremonial and subsistence needs of the tribes in Idaho, outplanting adults for natural spawning or nutrient enhancement, supplying foodbanks with healthy salmon, or transporting fish to other rivers/reservoirs to create additional fishing opportunities."

This year a large percentage of the Chinook that were trapped were "jacks." Jacks are male fish that have spent just one year in the ocean as compared to their adult counterparts that spend two to three years in the ocean. Jacks are not part of the harvest share and are not generally used for broodstock so they make up a large percentage of surplus fish in places like the Boise River.

The Boise River was chosen as one of the places to receive surplus Chinook this season for multiple reasons, including; the Boise River remains cold throughout the summer since it is fed by Lucky Peak, and the Treasure Valley has a significant population which will increase the chances that fish will be caught and utilized by anglers.

Related Sites:
Your questions answered about why F&G stocked Chinook in the Boise River Chris Sullivan, Anadromous Program Coordinator, August 7, 2023