Idaho Fish Report

Steelhead fishing has closed on the Snake River and will re-open Sept. 1, 2022. Bass fishing can be good in the Snake River below Hells Canyon dam throughout the warmer months. For those with boat access, sturgeon fishing can be good in this section of the Snake River. Anglers are reminded that they must use barbless hooks to fish for sturgeon and sturgeon may not be retained in the Snake River. All sturgeon must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water.

Fishing for hatchery spring Chinook is open on the Snake River from Dug Bar Boat Ramp (upstream of the Imnaha River) to the fishing deadline near Hells Canyon Dam. The daily bag limit is 4 hatchery Chinook, only one of which may be an adult (adults are Chinook Salmon greater than 24 inches in length). Anglers must cease fishing once they have either retained one adult hatchery Chinook, or a total of four fish. Barbless hooks are required.

Fishing has been slow, and only a small number of adult Chinook are anticipated to return to Hells Canyon this year because there were not smolts available to release in Hells Canyon in 2020. However, some adults will be available and good numbers of jacks have been counted as they migrate upstream past the lower Columbia River dams. See the regulation updates page for the Snake River zone for up to date details on the season, limits, and requirements for fishing for spring Chinook in Hells Canyon this year.