Season Regulation #NP-040813SRB-TO
Pursuant to the Nez Perce Tribal Code Section 3-1-11, the Nez Perce Tribe Fish and Wildlife Commission has the authority to promulgate annual and seasonal hunting and fishing regulations and prescribe the manner and methods which may be used in taking fish and wildlife. Pursuant to this authority, the Nez Perce Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted the following fishing regulations for the Nez Perce Tribe
2013 Nez Perce Tribe Tributary Spring & Summer Chinook Treaty Fisheries in the Snake Basin
-Season Open Until Closed-
CLEARWATER RIVER SUBBASIN
Mainstem Clearwater: Confluence with the Snake River upstream to the confluence with the Lochsa and
Selway rivers.
North Fork Clearwater: Confluence with the mainstem Clearwater River upstream to the Dworshak dam.
South Fork Clearwater: Confluence of the South Fork Clearwater River with the Middle Fork Clearwater River upstream to the weirs located on, Newsome Creek, Red River and Crooked River (area above the weirs are closed).
Clear Creek: Confluence with the mainstem Clearwater River upstream to 10 feet below the hatchery weir.
Lochsa River: Area directly below the hatchery trap on Walton Creek, tributary to Lochsa River, downstream to the confluence of Lochsa River with Selway River and the Middle Fork Clearwater River (Three Rivers area).
Selway River: Area from mouth of Selway River upstream to the just below the mouth of Meadow Creek.
SALMON RIVER SUBBASIN
Rapid River/Little Salmon River: Area of the Little Salmon River from its mouth upstream to upper reaches where fish can migrate, and on the Rapid River from its mouth upstream to 60 feet below the hatchery trap on Rapid River.
South Fork Salmon River: Area open to fishing would include the South Fork Salmon River from 10 feet below the weir (RM 72) downstream to the confluence with the Salmon River.
Secesh River: Area open to fishing on the Secesh River is from its confluence with mainstem South Fork Salmon River upstream to weir (weir located at Chinook Campground).
East Fork South Fork/Johnson Creek: Area open to fishing on the East Fork South Fork Salmon River is from its confluence with South Fork Salmon River upstream to Johnson Creek, and on Johnson Creek from its mouth upstream to 10 feet below the weir.
Big Creek: Area open to fishing will be from mouth of Big Creek confluence with Middle Fork Salmon River upstream.
IMNAHA RIVER SUBBASIN
Imnaha River: Prior to weir installation the area open to fishing on the Imnaha River will be from confluence with mainstem Snake River upstream to upper reaches of the river where fish can migrate to spawn—after the weir is installed, the upper most area open to fishing will be up to 10 feet below the weir.
*Prior to weir installation fishing area will include the Nez Perce traditional “usual and accustomed” area of the Blue Hole and other areas located above the site of the Gumboot weir.
GRANDE RONDE RIVER SUBBASIN
Lostine/Wallowa Rivers: Area open to fishing by Nez Perce tribal members include the reach of the Wallowa River from its confluence with Minam River upstream to the confluence with the Lostine River; then from the mouth of the Lostine River upstream to 10 feet below the end of the permanent concrete sill and weir structure (the fishing area boundary below the weir will be marked for tribal members to identify the closed fishing area).
Lookingglass Creek: Area open to fishing for Lookingglass Creek will be from its mouth upstream to 10 feet below the adult trap.
TUCANNON RIVER SUBBASIN
Tucannon River: The area open to fishing by Nez Perce tribal members include the mainstem Tucannon River from the Snake River confluence upstream to 60 feet below the adult trap at the Tucannon Fish Hatchery.
MAINSTEM SNAKE RIVER
Snake River: Area of the mainstem Snake River, from Little Goose Dam upstream to the Hells Canyon Dam will be open to Ceremonial and Subsistence fishing (commercial fishing regulations and area will be addressed in a separate season notice if a commercial season is authorized at a later date).
Nez Perce Gear Types and Fishing Methods:
Fishing methods permitted for use by tribal members may include, but is not limited to the following traditional fishing gear: gaff, dip net, hoopnet, longbow, spear, scaffold, and hook and line.
Release wild fish (adipose fin present) when possible if caught by hook-and-line or by net fishing (dip net, hoopnet, other), by doing so will help the Tribe keep the impacts to wild fish low and keep a fishery open longer.
Season Length:
Tributaries are “Open until closed” by tribal fishing regulation. Typically, tributary fisheries will remain open until one of the following conditions result: tributary-specific harvest goal is reached, wild spring & summer Chinook impact levels are attained, or natural spawning begins, whichever comes first.
Harvest Reporting:
Tribal members participating in the treaty fishery are encouraged to report their catch each week to Nez Perce Tribe Harvest Monitoring Program staff. This will help in managing our treaty spring/summer Chinook fisheries in a responsible and timely manner.
Please carry your Nez Perce Tribal Enrollment Card when fishing. Respect the water and earth by putting litter in its place and by keeping areas clean. For additional information on Nez Perce Tribal regulations, please contact the Nez Perce Tribe Fish and Wildlife Commission at (208) 843-9376. If you have fishing enforcement problems contact the Nez Perce Tribe Conservation Enforcement at (208) 843-7143 or toll free 1-(877)-790-3474.