Shark on the Salmon River?

First smallmouth bass, then walleye and, now, salmon sharks!

When are salmon and steelhead going to catch a break?

Calls and email came pouring in to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game on Tuesday claiming a shark washed up on the shores of the Salmon River near Riggins. With so many calls coming in, IDFG staff felt the need to investigate.

By the look of it, it did appear to be a salmon shark, whick like to feed on salmon. So, should we be concerned with this shocking discovery and potential impacts to our salmon and steelhead populations?

Well, no.

No sharks have been observed swimming up any fish ladders lately, and the only known shark that can live in freshwater is the bull shark. Fish and Game thinks it is safe to assume that somebody dropped this one off on the shore for a good laugh. It would have been a great April Fools' Day joke.

Anyone who saw the fish on the shore, or who saw the photos, can rest assured, there are no sharks swimming around in Idaho.

Joe DuPont is a fisheries manager in the Clearwater Region for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.