The Steelhead Angler

Though salmon fishing closed July 1 on several river segments here in Idaho, two rivers are open over the Fourth of July weekend, giving salmon anglers a combined 63 miles of river open to salmon fishing.
For the first time in over 30 years, salmon anglers will be able to again fish almost 30 miles of the Upper Salmon River. This stretch of river has not been open to recreational salmon fishing since the late 1970’s.

The Upper Salmon River section open for salmon fishing runs from the Highway 75 Bridge over the Salmon River at milepost 213.5 (about nine miles west of Clayton) upstream to the posted boundary about 100 yards downstream of the weir at Sawtooth Hatchery south of Stanley. While the salmon have just started to arrive at this section I have heard of a few fish caught and things should be picking up over the coming week. This section will remain open until further notice or August 2, whichever comes first.

Another section that opened this year is 25 miles of the South Fork Salmon River that has not been open to recreational salmon fishing for 43 years. In addition, the eight miles that have been open for recreational salmon fishing during open seasons since 1997 are again open. This year you will now have 33 miles of river to find a salmon fishing hole in.

The section of the South Fork Salmon River opened for salmon fishing starts at the bridge on Forest Service Road 48 where it crosses the South Fork Salmon River. This is just upstream from the confluence with the East Fork South Fork Salmon River. You can then follow the road along the South Fork upstream about 33 river miles. There is a posted boundary about 100 yards downstream from the Idaho Fish and Game South Fork Salmon River weir and trap. The fishing reports that I have received are good as the fish arrived late last week and salmon anglers are starting to have very good success on this section. This section of river remains open until further notice.