UTERChinook (king) salmon fishing in Idaho freshwater
In Idaho freshwater, Chinook (king) salmon peak May–June and October and are around April–July and September–October, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. May: Clearwater, Salmon and Little Salmon springers — seasons only when IDFG opens them.
Snake River fall chinook.
Chinook (king) salmon in Idaho freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilArriving
- MayPeakClearwater, Salmon and Little Salmon springers — seasons only when IDFG opens them.
- JunePeak
- JulyAround
- AugustNot here
- SeptemberArriving
- OctoberPeakSnake River fall chinook.
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish Chinook (king) salmon near Henry's Fork, South Fork Snake, Lake Pend Oreille
Blue-ribbon trout rivers, Pend Oreille's giant lake trout and kokanee, the Clearwater's B-run steelhead, Cascade's jumbo perch, and the Snake through Hells Canyon for smallmouth and sturgeon.
What to use for Chinook (king) salmon
- HerringCut-plug for salmon: head off at an angle, guts out, two hooks in tandem so it spins slow behind a flasher or a banana weight. Whole and live on a circle hook for stripers where the herring run.
- Anchovies (Pacific)Nose- or collar-hooked on a #4 to 1/0 hook and fly-lined with no weight, or on a dropper loop; a dozen tossed over the side as chum keeps the bass and bonito up.
- Salmon eggs (roe)A dime-sized spawn sac tied in mesh, or single eggs on a #10 to #6 egg hook, drifted along the bottom for steelhead, trout and salmon. Check the state's rule — bait is banned on many trout and salmon waters.
- Leader40–60 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook4/0–8/0
- Braid50–100 lb
Feeds in 44–60°F water, best at 50–56°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch Chinook (king) salmon in Idaho freshwater?
Peak season is May–June and October. Chinook (king) salmon are in Idaho freshwater April–July and September–October. May: Clearwater, Salmon and Little Salmon springers — seasons only when IDFG opens them.
Where do Chinook (king) salmon hold in Idaho freshwater?
Look on river, creek / stream, lake — around Henry's Fork, South Fork Snake, Lake Pend Oreille, Clearwater River, Lake Cascade, Snake River.
What is the best bait for Chinook (king) salmon in Idaho freshwater?
Live bait: herring, anchovies (pacific), salmon eggs (roe). Herring: Cut-plug for salmon: head off at an angle, guts out, two hooks in tandem so it spins slow behind a flasher or a banana weight. Whole and live on a circle hook for stripers where the herring run. Tackle: leader 40–60 lb fluorocarbon, hook 4/0–8/0, braid 50–100 lb.
What are the rules for Chinook (king) salmon in Idaho freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and change — read the current rule at https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/rules before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://idfg.idaho.gov/licenses.
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All about Chinook (king) salmon · Idaho fresh water, the whole year