Have there been any proposals to have special purchase for Idaho residents to be able to pay $20 more for a seasonal fishing license for Owyhee Res.? Or other bodies of water that are very close to Idaho's border?
Have there been any proposals to look at and change the rules that prevent us from fishing on the Oregon or Washington banks of the Snake River?
Answer:
Idaho is considered a progressive and influential state when it comes to fish and wildlife management but unfortunately, we only have authority to authorize and manage fishing and hunting privileges within the boundaries of Idaho. Owyhee Reservoir is well inside the State of Oregon and they require Idaho residents to buy nonresident fishing licenses to help pay for management costs. There is no incentive for them to give-up that revenue. The same with Idaho residents fishing from Washington and Oregon terra firma. There is no incentive for them to forgo the money generated from the sale of nonresident fishing licenses purchased by Idaho anglers.
We do have reciprocal agreements with Washington, Utah and Oregon to share border waters. I think that's the best we can do for the present time.
Short answer to your question - no, we won't be selling fishing licenses to fish in Oregon or Washington.
Answered on:
Thursday, February 19, 2015 - 10:16 AM MST