Dry Bed Fish Salvage Starts Now

The start of April normally marks the beginning of a unique angling experience in Eastern Idaho, but this year the special salvage opportunity is starting right now, owing to headgate work being done by the Great Feeder Canal Company. Maintenance work on the headgates is routine enough that an annual salvage fishery is built into the fishing regulations, but his work is occurring at a different time of the year, so the Idaho Fish and Game Commission needed to issue a special salvage order. Aside from timing, all other restrictions associated with the annual salvage season are in effect. Idaho Fish and Game's fisheries regulations for the Dry Bed include the exceptions that it is legal to also take fish using hands, dip nets or snagging. Use of seine nets, chemicals, firearms, explosives, or electric current remains prohibited. The stretch of the Dry Bed covered by this salvage orders runs from Highway 48 (Between Lewisville and Menan, near the Idahoan Fresh Pack Plant) upstream to the Great Feeder Canal irrigation diversion headgate. It's important to note that most access to the canal is across private ground, so it's recommended to get permission ahead of time. It is important to note that all regular bag and possession limits remain in effect. Because the Dry Bed is managed as a canal, rather than an actual branch of the South Fork of the Snake River, the regional cutthroat trout restrictions do not come into play, the daily limit is six trout any size and 25 mountain whitefish. All fish caught must be killed immediately and cannot be transported alive. The salvage order will remain in effect through March 31, 2016.