Goicoechea letter: IDFG and salmon

One of Idaho’s greatest resources are Chinook salmon. There are many people who manipulate their schedules to pursue these fish on Idaho’s ocean running rivers. 2016 is a year where salmon returns are right around the 10-year average which is not a spectacular run by any means. The management by the Idaho Fish and Game of this great resource needs to be questioned. They closed the seasons on all lower Clearwater, Snake and Salmon rivers effective June 2. This has left towns like Orofino, WhiteBird and Riggins in a position where they have geared up to accommodate fisherman and their families. I’m sure there have been or will be many motels canceled, meals not purchased and consumables not bought in these towns that would have been had the IDFG figured out a way to extend the salmon season. There are many things they could have done. They could have made the Salmon River a one-fish limit instead of two. They could have changed fishing hours from say 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. rather than all day. Instead they did nothing, upsetting many fisherman and local business owners. Figure it out, IDFG. Maximize this precious resource.

This story was originally published June 4, 2016 at 12:08 AM with the headline "Goicoechea letter: IDFG and salmon."