Idaho Fish Report

Action: Reduces the adult salmon daily limit to one hatchery Chinook.

Effective date: Mar. 16, 2022, until further notice.

Species affected: Salmon and hatchery steelhead.

Location: Drano Lake: In the waters downstream of markers on the point of land downstream and across from Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery and upstream of the Highway 14 bridge.

Rule: Salmon and hatchery steelhead: Daily limit two, of which up to one may be an adult Chinook. Release all salmon other than hatchery Chinook. Release wild steelhead.

Reason for action: The 2022 preseason forecast for Drano Lake (3,800 adults) is the third lowest return between 2000 and 2021 (roughly 50% of the recent 10-year average). Expanded hatchery programs intended to increase tribal and sport harvest for spring Chinook and support Southern Resident killer whale recovery have increased the broodstock collection goal at Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery. The adult salmon daily limit is being reduced to provide spring Chinook angling opportunity, while also ensuring broodstock collection goals are achieved.

Additional information: WDFW will continue to monitor the spring Chinook return with co-managers and National Fish Hatchery staff to determine whether further fishery modification is needed. Anglers are reminded to check the Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for additional information related to Drano Lake.

Information contact: Matt Gardner, District Fish Biologist, (360) 906-6746.