Few spring Chinook in Idaho so far

Although spring Chinook salmon fishing season opens Saturday in Idaho, few fish have been documented crossing the Lower Granite Dam, 25 miles downstream of Lewiston.

As of April 19, only six fish had crossed Lower Granite, which is the last dam for migrating salmon heading to Idaho waters.

By the same day, only 1,385 had crossed Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River — the first dam between the Pacific Ocean and Idaho.

The forecast is for a below-average run, and it could be later than normal, but Fish and Game expects the run to be better than last year.

— Ralph Bartholdt