Print Page Email Page
 Search     
Explore our Regions
IDFG

Chinook Salmon Seasons and Rules

Monday, May 21, 2012 


2012 Spring / Summer Chinook Salmon Seasons

All salmon with an adipose fin MUST be released!  

All salmon with an adipose fin MUST be released!


Seasons and rules documents are available at the link listed below.
Seasons and limits may change throughout the season.

For current seasons and limits refer to the chart below.


  • Seasons and Rules
     —  Mainstem Clearwater, North Fork Clearwater, Middle Fork Clearwater, South Fork Clearwater, Lochsa, Snake, Lower Salmon and Little Salmon Rivers – [PDF, 357 KB]
Interactive Maps - Find info about seasons and limits by stream or stream section.

Current Season and Limits
River Location Code River Section Season Dates Season Status Daily Limit Possession Limit Notes
02 Snake River
(Hells Canyon)
From Dug Bar boat ramp upstream to Hells Canyon Dam.		 April 22 - 
until further notice.		 Open 4 salmon,
only 2
may be adults		 12 salmon,
no more than 6
may be adults
03 Mainstem Clearwater
(Lower)
From the Camas Prairie Railroad Bridge at Lewiston upstream to the Cherry Lane Bridge.		 April 22 - 
until further notice.		 Open 4 salmon,
only 2
may be adults		 12 salmon,
no more than 6
may be adults
03 Mainstem Clearwater (Middle)
From the Cherry Lane Bridge upstream to the Orofino Bridge.		 April 22 - 
until further notice.		 Open 4 salmon,
only 2
may be adults		 12 salmon,
no more than 6
may be adults
04 Mainstem Clearwater
(Upper)
From the Orofino Bridge upstream to the South Fork Clearwater River.		 April 22 - 
until further notice.		 Open 4 salmon,
only 2
may be adults		 12 salmon,
no more than 6
may be adults
05 North Fork Clearwater
From its mouth upstream to Dworshak Dam (See Special Restrictions on Page 4 of 2012 Seasons & Rules Brochure).		 April 22 - 
until further notice.		 Open 4 salmon,
only 1
may be an adult
 12 salmon,
no more than 3
may be adults
06 Middle Fork Clearwater
From its confluence with the South Fork Clearwater upstream to the confluence of the Lochs and Selway rivers.		 April 22 - 
until further notice.		 Open 4 salmon,
only 2
may be adults		 12 salmon,
no more than 6
may be adults
07 South Fork Clearwater
From its mouth upstream to the confluence of American and Red rivers.		 April 22 - 
until further notice.		 Open 4 salmon,
only 2
may be adults		 12 salmon,
no more than 6 may be adults
08 Lochsa
From its mouth upstream to the Twin Bridges immediately upstream from the confluence of Crooked Fork and Colt Killed creeks.		 April 22 - 
until further notice.		 Open 4 salmon,
only 2
may be adults		 12 salmon,
no more than 6
may be adults
10 Lower Salmon
(Pine Bar)
From the Rice Creek Bridge upstream to a posted boundary approximately 200 yards downstream from the Hammer Creek boat ramp.		 April 22 - 
until further notice.		 Open 4 salmon,
only 2
may be adults		 12 salmon,
no more than 6
may be adults
11 Lower Salmon
(Hammer Creek)
From a posted boundary approximately 200 yards downstream from the Hammer Creek boat ramp upstream to the US Highway 95 Time Zone Bridge		 April 22 - 
until further notice.		 Open 4 salmon,
only 2
may be adults		 12 salmon,
no more than 6
may be adults
11 Lower Salmon
(Park Hole)
From the US Highway 95 Time Zone Bridge upstream to the mouth of Short’s Creek.		 April 22 - 
until further notice.		 Open 4 salmon,
only 2
may be adults		 12 salmon,
no more than 6
may be adults
12 Lower Salmon
(Vinegar Creek)
From the mouth of Short’s Creek upstream to the uppermost boat ramp at Vinegar Creek.		 April 22 - 
until further notice.		 Open 4 salmon,
only 2
may be adults		 12 salmon,
no more than 6
may be adults
20 Little Salmon
(Lower)
From the mouth upstream to a posted boundary approximately 200 yards upstream of the mouth of Rapid River.		 April 22 - 
until further notice.		 Open 4 salmon,
only 2
may be adults		 12 salmon,
no more than 6
may be adults
20 Little Salmon
(Upper)
From the posted boundary approximately 200 yards upstream of the mouth of Rapid River upstream to the US Highway 95 Bridge near Smokey Boulder Road.		 April 22 - 
until further notice.		 Open 4 salmon,
only 2
may be adults		 12 salmon,
no more than 6
may be adults
Last Updated: April 23, 2012 
Top of page 
Idaho