Chinook season closed on the Clearwater

As anticipated from a preliminary announcement last week, Idaho Department of Fish and Game closed the Spring Chinook Salmon sport fishing season on the Clearwater River, including the main stem, the North Fork and the South Fork today.

The order was signed by Director Steve Huffaker this morning and is effective immediately. Fishery managers have determined that the Spring Chinook run to the Clearwater River will be lower than forecast and that the harvestable surplus has been caught.

"We estimate we have achieved our harvest share based on updated run information," said Sharon Kiefer, Fish and Game's anadromous fish manager.

With a late start to the Spring Chinook run, the season opened May 20 and ran four days each week - Friday through Monday - giving anglers a short season. Sport anglers caught and kept an estimated 793 fish, of which 787 were adults, six were jacks.

Over the last Friday through Monday period anglers caught 276 fish on the Clearwater, according to IDFG statistics. While fish were caught all through the river, the most 152 were caught in the main stem between Magill Hole and the Orofino Bridge. Hours per fish were at 11. The least, three, were caught between Orofino and the Kamiah Bridge and hours per fish were at 103, the statistics said.

There has been no indication from IDFG whether the season will reopened if the numbers over Lower Granite increase appreciably.

IDFG said the season remains open on the Snake River in Hells Canyon until June 19, on the Lower Salmon River until June 26 and on the Little Salmon River until July 31. These seasons may close earlier if Fish and Game sees a biological need. Fishing days here too are Friday through Monday.

Anglers are reminded that fishing hours are a half hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset, local time. The limit is one fish daily, three in possession and 10 for the season. Anglers may use only barbless hooks no larger than five-eights of an inch from point to shank, and they must stop fishing when they have reached daily, possession or season limits.

Only hatchery salmon marked with a clipped adipose fin may be kept.

For additional details see the 2006 Spring Chinook Salmon Season and Rules pamphlet, available at license vendors and Fish and Game offices.

Photo: These anglers, out with guide Kip Fry (back) from the Guide Shop and Clearwater Drifters, caught three Spring Chinook Salmon Saturday. Shown in front are Andre and Arla Molsee with their grandson, Jordan Shull, who was out for a birthday trip.