Idaho Fish Report

Action: Opens some sections of the Snake River to coho retention.

Species affected: Salmon.

Locations, Effective dates, and Rules:

1. Snake River from the mouth (Burbank to Pasco railroad bridge at Snake River mile 1.25) to Lower Granite dam:
   
   Immediately through Oct. 31, 2022:
   • Open 7 days/week.
   • Daily limit is 3 adult hatchery Chinook. No daily limit for jack Chinook. (Jack Chinook may be hatchery or wild). Min. size 12". Release all salmon other than jack Chinook and adult hatchery Chinook.
   • Barbless hooks required.

2. Snake River from the downstream edge of the large power lines crossing the Snake River (just upstream from West Evans Road on the south shore, approximately 3 miles below Clarkston) to the Idaho Border at Clarkston:
   
   Immediately through Sept. 16:
   • Open 7 days/week.
   • Daily limit is 3 adult Chinook. No daily limit for jack Chinook. (Chinook may be hatchery or wild). Min. size 12". Release all salmon other than Chinook.
   • Barbless hooks required.
      
   Sept. 17 through Oct. 31, 2022:
   • Open 7 days/week.
   • Daily limit is 5 adults, including no more than 3 adult Chinook and no more than 2 adult coho. No daily limit for jack Chinook or jack coho. (Chinook and coho may be hatchery or wild.) Min. size 12". Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho.
   • Barbless hooks required.

3. Snake River from the Idaho border at Clarkston, to the Oregon state line.
   
   Immediately through Sept. 16:
   • Open 7 days/week.
   • Daily limit is 3 adult Chinook. No daily limit for jack Chinook. (Chinook may be hatchery or wild). Min. size 12". Release all salmon other than Chinook.
   • Barbless hooks required.
      
   Sept. 17 through Oct. 31, 2022:
   • Open 7 days/week.
   • Daily limit is 5 adults, including no more than 3 adult Chinook and no more than 2 adult coho. No daily limit for jack Chinook or jack coho. (Chinook and coho may be hatchery or wild.) Min. size 12". Release all salmon other than Chinook and coho.
   • Barbless hooks required.
      
   Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2022:
   • Open 7 days/week.
   • Daily limit is 2 adult coho. No daily limit for jack coho. (Coho may be hatchery or wild.) Min. size 12". Release all salmon other than coho.
   • Barbless hooks required.

Reason for action: The Nez Perce Tribe predicts that 12,250 Coho salmon will reach Lower Granite Dam in 2022. This return of Coho from the Nez Perce Tribe's hatchery program to reintroduce Coho in the Snake basin is large enough to meet broodstock needs, allow natural spawning, and provide harvest opportunities.

Additional information: WDFW requires that all Washington licensed anglers cease fishing for salmon once they have retained their adult daily limit for the day. Adult Chinook are 24" in length or larger and jack Chinook are less than 24" in length. Adult coho are 20" in length or larger and jack coho are less than 20" in length. Two-pole permits are not allowed during this fishery.

When fishing in the Snake River between Washington and Idaho:

The holder of a valid Washington fishing license may fish the Snake River where it forms the boundary between the states of Washington and Idaho, subject to the fish and game laws of Washington but may not fish from the shore including wading and may not fish sloughs or tributaries on the Idaho side. An Idaho license holder has the same rights and restrictions with reference to the Washington side.

Any angler who fishes on the Snake River or any other water forming a Washington boundary is entitled to have in possession only the limit allowed by one license regardless of the number of licenses in possession.

Anglers should be sure to identify their catch and mark catch record cards appropriately by species. All salmonids (salmon or steelhead) that are not kept as part of the daily limit cannot be removed from the water and must be immediately released unharmed. Anglers should continue to check emergency regulations for new and changing seasons or sign up for email notifications at https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/lists. In addition, anglers are reminded to refer to the 2022-23 Washington Sport Fishing Rules pamphlet for other rules and regulations.

Information contact: Jeremy Trump, District 3 Fish Biologist 509-382-1005