Chinook salmon fishing in Clearwater River basin closed

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game closed chinook salmon fishing in the Clearwater River basin because of low returns of adult chinook.

The rivers affected are the Clearwater and the north, middle and south forks.

If enough fish return, IDFG may reopen the season later in May, according to an IDFG news release. On Wednesday, the department will have a better idea of the final numbers of the fish, as 80 percent of those destined for the Clearwater will have passed through Bonneville Dam by then.

Fishing remains open in the lower Salmon and Little Salmon rivers.