Idaho boosts Clearwater salmon limits

SALMON FISHING — The Idaho Fish and Game Commission today increased the bag limits on adult chinook salmon in the Clearwater River drainage to two per day and six in possession.

The commissioners also set a limited jacks-only season on another section of the upper Salmon River.

Fish and Game fishery managers estimate the numbers of adult chinook heading back to Idaho’s Clearwater drainage to be about twice the preseason estimate.

The increased bag limits are effective immediately on the Clearwater River main stem, the North Fork, South Fork and Middle Fork Clearwater rivers and the Lochsa River.

The statewide season limit remains 20 adult chinook during any 2011 salmon seasons occurring before Sept. 1. All other salmon fishing rules remain the same and are listed in the 2011 Chinook seasons and rules brochure.

The commission set a Chinook fishing season in the upper Salmon River reach near Stanley. The season opens July 9 and closes at the end of fishing on July 17. Fishing hours are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. MDT.