Snake River Salmon: The Lifeblood of Central Idaho
When it comes to the most sought-after fish in Idaho, there are a number of contenders - from the mighty sturgeon in the Snake and Salmon to the beautiful native westslope cutthroat trout in the tiniest trickles - but for many anglers in Idaho, our ocean runs of salmon and steelhead reign supreme. From the hardcore angler who builds their yearly schedule around these fish to the casual fisherman who might get out for a weekend or two if the run comes in good, we all look forward to salmon and steelhead hitting Idaho waters and the excitement it brings to the region. This year is no different. All you need to do is try to find a spot to park your boat trailer along the lower Clearwater on the weekend and you’ll know that folks are excited to be out chasing spring Chinook.
These fish mean different things to different people. Some just want to catch and eat them while others look forward to time spent on the water with close family and friends. But we all want more of them in Idaho’s waters. As a fisherman it’s obvious why we would advocate for more fish to catch, but they provide far more than a tasty meal to the people of Idaho. Each year with the returning runs of anadromous fish we see a massive influx of people to the rivers and our riverside communities feel the economic impact as fishermen spend their money there. Not everyone sees angler spending as a big deal, but drive through Riggins and you’ll see the signs- Salmon means business.
The big chinook return in 2001 brought in a whopping $10 million to Riggins alone. The total spending in Riggins that year was $44 million. Unsurprisingly, the pendulum swings the other way in low returns years. In 2019, steelhead fishing was closed on Idaho’s Clearwater River and impacts were felt throughout the region. With the closure the Idaho Department of Labor was able to calculate that north central Idaho, essentially the Clearwater River basin, lost a staggering $8.7 million per month. And that was just for one month and one species- steelhead. To sum it up, Idaho’s anadromous fisheries bring in real money that helps drive the economies in our rural riverside communities.
Like everything we pursue in Idaho’s mountains, fields, and rivers, dedicated conservation efforts are needed to ensure that fish and wildlife populations stay strong for the long haul. That remains true for Idaho’s salmon and steelhead - though efforts to recover these wild icons have yet to be successful. Despite BPA spending over $26 billion on salmon mitigation and recovery, hatchery mitigation goals are not being met and our wild fish are still ESA listed.
A future with strong runs of wild salmon is intertwined with the need to ensure a resilient future for local residents. IWF doesn’t just advocate for salmon and steelhead recovery for fishermen, but also for the many communities in Idaho that rely on the economic impact these fish bring. We are focused on creating a more resilient, more prosperous Idaho through both the restoration of robust salmon and steelhead returns and through new economic opportunities for the region.
IWF is taking proactive steps to give salmon and steelhead their best chance to recover while ensuring a resilient future for all stakeholders in the Snake Basin. By advocating for strategic investment in replacement services and infrastructure as well as an array of management and habitat efforts to improve salmon and steelhead runs, we can work towards a future with recovered anadromous fish populations through programs that are broadly supported by local communities.
IWF is still at the table representing sporting values in the conversation and we continue to advocate for a more resilient and prosperous region through a comprehensive solution to the Snake River- one that benefits agriculture, energy, local communities, and fish.
Cover Image Photographer: Cameron Karsten