Chinook salmon where open
Clearwater River
Season open per regulation
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Fish › Salmon & steelhead
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Idaho Chinook are big, hard-fighting ocean-run salmon that power upstream into Idaho rivers each year.
Size range
28–59 in
Size range
Typical adult length in the waters we cover.
Water temperature
Coldwater
Water temperature
Preferred thermal regime for this species.
Active season
Seasonal runs
Active season
When anglers most often encounter this species.
Origin
Native
Origin
Stocking and native history where this species is found.
Habitat
Anadromous & Migratory, Rivers & Large Rivers
Habitat
Primary water types where this species is found.
Chinook salmon are anadromous salmonids that grow in the ocean, then return to Idaho freshwater to spawn. Idaho Fish and Game manages spring, summer, and fall runs, with seasons set annually based on returns.
Chinook salmon where open
Clearwater River
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon / steelhead context by regulation
Middle Fork Salmon River
Anadromous context — check regulations
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Bayhorse Recreation Site to Tappan
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Cache Bar to Carey Creek
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Campbell Flat to Pine Bar
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Carey Creek to Riggins
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Colston Creek to Shoup Bridge Campground
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Corn Creek Campground to Spring Bar
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Deadwater Spring to Corn Creek Campground
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Hammer Creek to Mouth / terminus
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Headwaters to Sawtooth Kids Pond
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Lucile Recreation Site to Campbell Flat
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Maynard Hole to Hammer Creek
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Riggins to Maynard Hole
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Sawtooth Kids Pond to Sunbeam
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Shoup Bridge Campground to Tower Rock Recreation Site
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, South Butte to Bayhorse Recreation Site
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Spring Bar to Lucile Recreation Site
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Sunbeam to South Butte
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Tappan to Colston Creek
Season open per regulation
Chinook salmon where open
Salmon River, Tower Rock Recreation Site to Cache Bar
Season open per regulation
Chinook do most of their feeding in the ocean, where they grow on plankton and baitfish before returning to spawn.
Chinook seasons and limits are set annually and can change quickly with run strength and harvest goals; always check current IDFG Chinook seasons and rules for the specific river and run before fishing.
Regulations vary by water. Check current Idaho Fish and Game rules before fishing.
Status: Native to Idaho (SNR)
G5 (Secure) · ESA: Not listed · Idaho: SNRRuns between freshwater and the ocean.
Browse species profiles with habitat, diet, tactics, and linked waters across the state.
Chinook salmon where open
South Fork Clearwater River
Season open per regulation
