2012 Salmon Number Predictions Are Up

According to federal, state, and tribal biologists, 2012 salmon numbers should be high.  The estimate is based off of the 2011 jack numbers - how many salmon were counted heading west this last year.  168,000 salmon are estimated to be returning to Idaho this coming season, out of a total of 277,400 (4 year olds) swimming up the Columbia.

Estimates have been fairly reliable.  2011 saw more fish coming back than what was expected.  So this is not an exact science.  You can read more here.

Speaking of salmon estimates, this reminds me of a story that dated back to the 1960's.  Wildlife officials saw that returning salmon numbers were way down.  The IF&G prohibited salmon fishing that year, but Idaho residents would hear nothing of it.  They said - damned if they're going to let the salmon go home, where Oregonians will harvest them anyway.  They might as well harvest the fish before someone else does.  Even in the face of the prohibition, Idahoans were setting up salmon fishing contests.  IF&G beefed up sending more game wardens to the scenes, ready to make arrests.  But folks did what they wanted anyway, certain that no reasonable judge would find them guilty of anything.

~ J. Bunch

Read More

Main Snake Focus

IF&G has long focused on Henry's Fork and the South Fork of the Snake River with its fish management. But recently, more focus has been centered on the main channel of the Snake in SE Idaho.

IF&G has been electro-fishing the river near Osgood, in attempts to find out how many fish are there. This is the first survey they've taken in that locale, and because that portion of the river is under-utilized, they want to know numbers before they make management plans.

Turns out there's some pretty big fish there too. The above photo shows IF&G Biologist Greg Schoby showing off one of his catches - a 31", approximately 15 lb., brown trout.

But there's always other interests in mind in the process of making management plans. The area around Osgood is an important agricultural section of the state. Busch's Clydesdale mural reminds us of that every time we pass by. That malt barley grows so well because it's irrigated. Which means irrigation districts have a strong interest in what the IF&G has planned.

But for the time being, it appears that Idaho Irrigation District is welcoming of IF&G's studies of that section of the river. Hopefully, a we-can-all-work-together attitude is maintained.

One thing is for certain, this picture will spur more fisherman to be on that section of the river this coming year.

More here.

~ J. Bunch

Read More