Pittsburg Landing boat launch and campground to be limited
WHITE BIRD — The Pittsburg Landing boat launch and campground will have limited access from 5 p.m. May 5 to May 8.
The area will be chip sealed from the cattle guard to the edge of the boat launch. One lane of the ramp will remain open during the work but the campground will be closed. Access to the entire area will be restored following the project.
Bighorn numbers on the rise along Middle Fork of Salmon River
BOISE — The number of bighorn sheep living along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area is on the rise, according to a recent survey.
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game reports that a survey conducted this year shows the population grew compared to a survey conducted in 2017. Biologists counted 1,123 bighorns in hunt areas 20A, 26, 27-1, 27-2, 27-3 and 27-4, including 578 ewes, 198 lambs and 347 rams. They recorded a promising ratio of 34 lambs per 100 ewes. Of the rams counted, 163 were classified as mature.
The Middle Fork bighorn population suffered a major die-off in the early 1990s and was believed to be ailing from a low lamb-to-ewe ratio related to chronic disease, according to a Fish and Game news release.
However, the news release notes this year’s survey used a different method than the one carried out in 2017. The older survey was conducted at the same time biologists were counting deer and elk in the area. This year, the biologists were only looking for bighorn sheep.
The survey data will be used as wildlife managers when they craft bighorn hunting seasons.
Elevated flows from Hells Canyon Dam expected
BOISE — With flow volume of the Snake River entering Brownlee Reservoir on the rise, Idaho Power Company said in a news release that flows leaving Hells Canyon Dam will average 20,000 to 30,000 cubic feet per second.
The elevated flows can be expected to last until the volume of water flowing into Brownlee Reservoir and the utility’s three-dam Hells Canyon Complex tapers off.
Fishing for smallmouth bass, kokanee looks promising in Dworshak Reservoir
AHSAHKA — Dworshak Reservoir will continue to produce ample opportunities for anglers seeking large smallmouth bass, and kokanee fishing may be better this year.
According to an Idaho Fish and Game report, kokanee numbers will be lower this year but that is good news because it should produce bigger fish. Fisheries managers expect this year’s crop of mature kokanee to average 10 to 11 inches. For the past two years, kokanee numbers have been so high that growth of individual fish has been stunted.
The huge numbers of kokanee in the reservoir over the past few years has benefited the smallmouth bass population. The bass prey on kokanee and their abundance has allowed mature fish to grow to trophy size. Fisheries managers expect this year to continue to be good for anglers pursuing big bass but the decline in kokanee numbers means that smaller bass won’t grow as quickly.
The department also expects good fishing on planted rainbow trout.
