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Late salmon run brings optimism for a possible summer chinook season in Idaho

Posted at 3:52 PM, May 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-18 17:55:52-04

This week brought optimism for a potential summer chinook salmon season in the gem state, Idaho Fish and Game have postponed their decision on whether there will be a season or not.

However, the Idaho Fish and Game said in the past several days there have been around a thousand chinooks per day who have made it past the Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River.

Last weekend Six on Your Side's Steve Dent was near Hood River in Oregon and saw first hand a number of anglers fishing for salmon, and one local guide said he got 12 strikes and landed four fish in one day.

The numbers of chinooks crossing the Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River spiked and May 7 and if the run follows the trend of last year there could be one more big spike.

"We have not seen enough fish to justify opening a fishery," said Chris Sullivan of the Idaho Fish and Game. "However, with the late return, we are hopeful the summer chinook are on their way and within the next or two, we should get a grasp on the numbers to determine whether a season is warranted."

Here is a link to more information, and for more information on the challenges the salmon face on their 900-mile journey to Idaho check out the video.