Public Meetings On Upcoming Idaho Chinook Seasons Begin Feb. 13th

Since the voter initiative in 1938 where an independent Fish and Game commission was established and that autonomous commission began to manage wildlife based on science according to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, sportsmen around the Gem State have been part of a partnership. Season setting and public meetings to discuss trends - while not always the most glorious - are a crucial contribution to sportsmen’s half of a partnership that has led to Idaho being a world renowned salmon icon.

From idaho Fish and Game:

Don’t miss this opportunity to attend one of five public meetings to provide comments and opinions on how best to manage the 2023 spring/summer Chinook salmon fisheries in the Clearwater, Hells Canyon, lower Salmon, Little Salmon, and South Fork Salmon river drainages.

During these meetings, FREE pizza and refreshments will be provided. Biologists will also discuss what we learned from last year’s Chinook salmon season, what this year’s salmon return is projected to look like, and strategies we could use to manage this year’s Chinook run. As always, input from anglers is important to help ensure the Chinook salmon returns are managed in a manner that is most satisfying to all who participate in these amazing fisheries.

In addition to this, biologists will also give presentations that we think anglers will be interested in, such as: “What we learned about Clearwater River’s New Steelhead Regulations”, and “Should we allow fishing when the weather is hot?”.

This is an opportunity to share your experience. This is an opportunity to close gaps in misunderstanding as well as celebrate and share successes in a professional but very personal way. The meeting locations and dates are as follows:

  • Riggins: February 13, City of Riggins Community Center – 2nd Floor, 121 Lodge St.

  • Orofino: February 15, IDFG Clearwater Hatchery, 118 Hatchery Roe Drive, located west of Ahsahka Bridge. 

  • Lewiston: February 16, Idaho Fish and Game Office, 3316 16th St.

  • Cascade: February 16, Cascade Senior Center, 409 N. School St. 

  • Coeur d’Alene: February 22, Idaho Fish and Game Office, 2885 W. Kathleen Ave.

Daniel Ritz