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Fish and Game approves historic Coho Salmon
season; restored species had been
technically extinct |
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October 15, 2014 |
Anglers, a unique salmon season opens in a river
not that far off.
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has approved
an historic fishery for the Clearwater River.
For the first time ever, a specific season for
Coho Salmon will open in Idaho. The season will
run from October 17 to November 16 on the
Mainstem and Middle Fork Clearwater River from
the mouth upstream to Clear Creek, and on the
North Fork Clearwater River downstream from
Dworshak Dam.
Anglers will be allowed to keep two Coho Salmon
per day. The possession limit will be six, and
the season limit will be ten. Coho limits are
separate from those for Fall Chinook Salmon.
Anglers must have a valid salmon permit to
legally harvest Coho Salmon, and any Coho Salmon
harvested must be recorded on that permit. Any
Coho Salmon processed before transport must have
the skin intact, with the adipose fin attached.
Idaho Coho Salmon have adapted to changing river
conditions more poorly than Idaho’s other
anadromous species, and were technically extinct
for decades, before the Nez Perce Tribe began a
recovery program using eggs from other
locations. That program has resulted in growing
returns, including this year’s run. As of
Tuesday, October 14, nearly 15,000 Coho Salmon
had passed Lower Granite Dam.
“Without the Nez Perce tribe’s efforts, Idaho
sport anglers would not be getting this
opportunity,” said Anadromous Fisheries Manager
Pete Hassemer.
Coho released from the Nez Perce Tribe’s
hatchery program have not had their adipose fins
clipped, so the Commission has also approved a
temporary change in the rules regarding harvest.
Anglers may keep Coho Salmon with an adipose fin
during the one month season, and are encouraged
to carefully identify any salmon before harvest.
A guide to fish identification in Idaho is
printed in our general fishing seasons and rules
brochure and online at:
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=85.
Fall Chinook Salmon with adipose fins must still
be released unharmed.
The Clearwater River upstream of Memorial Bridge
is closed to Fall Chinook fishing.
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