Forest Service Closes Another Stretch Of River Discovery Of Spawning Nest Prompts Closure Of Four Miles Of Salmon

Because of the discovery of a salmon spawning nest four miles east of Stanley, the Forest Service has closed another section of the Salmon River to protect spawning salmon.

Public boating has been banned from Stanley downstream to the eastern boundary of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

The six-mile portion of the upper main Salmon River to Stanley downstream to Mormon Bend was the last segment in the recreation area open to public boating until this week’s closure.

Last week, the stretch from Yankee Fork to the takeout above Torrey’s Hole was closed because public boaters violated restrictions that required them to portage or carry boats around an area where salmon were spawning.

Commercial outfitters and guides were not impacted the earlier closure since they have not violated the restrictions.

The newest closure will apply to commercial operations although it will not affect them much at this time of year.

“We must make every effort to protect the salmon spawning in this area,” said Paul Ries, area ranger. “We hope that floaters will understand that their cooperation is necessary to keep from disturbing these threatened fish during their final efforts to sustain their species.”

To date, more than 200 salmon have returned to this stretch to spawn.