I have fished every weekend in Island Park and continue to see illegal fishing, people fishing without Idaho Licenses, fishing with bait in closed waters, over limits caught, multiple poles being used by one fisherman, garbage strung on the banks and into the water of rivers and streams, closed trails being abused and motorized boating up Big Springs. I could write hundred of tickets for these violations. I have not seen one Fish and Game Officer in the area. You are asking for $$$ and increases for licenses but no enforcement is taking place. I catch and release every fish, I am constantly picking up trash and telling people to quite poaching. I cannot support any bill or measure to benefit F&G when officers are not in the field working. I am sad to see the changes taking place in Island Park which is not healthy for the fishery and environment. Please put officers in the field. Officers being present and seen in the field will prevent crime.
Answer:
All conservation officers across the state have very large patrol areas. They do the best they can to enforce fishing and hunting regulations. The Department applies more enforcement to Henrys Lake than some other areas because the lake is managed as a trophy fishery. Some conservation officers at Henrys Lake will not be in uniform nor in Department identified boats. Other conservation officers will be in uniform. On some weekends, several conservation officers may be working at the lake. On other weekends, they may be working other areas. All visitors to Henrys Lake can help monitor poaching and notify the Department when they see a violation. There are several ways to report poaching. A phone call to the poaching hotline is one option 1-800-632-5999. Folks can also call the Fremont County Sheriff's office at 208-624-1538. A third way to report poaching is via the Department's website at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/feedback/getForm.cfm?getForm=3 Conservation Officers can do their job much more effectively when they receive information from the public. If you would like to discuss further, please call Steve Schmidt, Regional Supervisor, Upper Snake Region 208-525-7290.
Answered on:
Thursday, September 18, 2014 - 8:21 AM MDT