Idaho Approves 2026 Summer Chinook Seasons on Three Rivers

Chinook seasons are never just another date on the calendar. They are the result of fish counts, hatchery goals, river conditions, tribal and recreational opportunity, and a whole lot of people watching the same run from different angles.

Idaho Fish and Game approved 2026 summer Chinook salmon seasons for the South Fork Salmon River, Upper Salmon River, and Lochsa River. The Lochsa opened May 30, while the South Fork Salmon and Upper Salmon are set to open June 18. The seasons will close by closure order or on August 10, whichever comes first.

For fishermen, that is good news, but it is also a reminder to pay attention. Chinook rules can change fast because managers are trying to keep opportunity in place without blowing past harvest shares or weakening the run. The Upper Salmon will be open seven days a week from the posted boundary near Valley Creek upstream to the boundary below the Sawtooth Hatchery weir and trap. The South Fork Salmon will be open Thursday through Sunday in the listed reach near Reed Ranch Landing Strip up toward the South Fork Salmon River weir and trap. The Lochsa will be open seven days a week from Lowell Bridge upstream to Twin Bridges.

If you fish these rivers, check the exact boundaries, hours, bag limits, and any emergency closures before you go. Salmon regulations are not the place to rely on something you heard at the gas station.

This is the balance sportsmen live with. We want access. We want fish in the river and fish in the cooler. We also want enough Chinook making it back to keep the run alive and keep future seasons possible. That requires real-time management, even when it is frustrating.

Fishermen have every right to question the data, push for fair opportunity, and make sure all impacts are being counted honestly. But good fishermen also know that salmon are not an unlimited resource. A season exists because enough fish are expected to return. If that changes, the rules can change with it.

Enjoy the opportunity, but stay sharp. The fishery only works if sportsmen know the rules and respect the resource.