Frequently Asked Questions

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Trapping ID is issued to each trapper for life and is unique to that trapper.  Although we have the trapper's name associated with the tag number, we are not allowed by law to give that name and contact information out to the public. If you found a legal trap it is unlawful to remove the trap or interfere with the lawful trap set.  However, you may contact IDFG at your regional office and ask them to contact the trapper and the trapper may then contact you if you have a concern.  The trapper is not obligated to contact you.  If you found a trap that was set illegally, you should contact IDFG and let us make the contact with the trapper.  Trapping rules and regulations along with videos on how to avoid traps and release your pet from a trap can be found on our website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/?getPage=141 .   If you have any further questions please contact your closest fish and game office.

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Another 150 steelhead will be stocked in the Boise River on Thursday, November 19, 2015, the last of two planned stocking efforts prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.  In years past, as many as 900 steelhead made the road trip from Hells Canyon Dam to the Boise River, but this year's below-average steelhead return means only about 300 fish will be coming to the Boise River this fall. The fish will be stocked at four locations along the Boise River, including Glenwood Bridge, just below the Broadway Avenue Bridge behind Boise State University, at Parkcenter Bridge and at Barber Park. Anglers should note that no stocking will take place at Americana Bridge due to construction at that location. Besides a fishing license, anglers hoping to tangle with one of the hatchery steelhead need a $12.75 steelhead permit, good for 20 fish. Though required in other steelhead waters, barbless hooks are not required for Boise River steelhead angling. All steelhead stocked in the Boise River will lack an adipose fin (the small fin normally found immediately behind the dorsal fin). Boise River anglers catching a rainbow trout longer than 20 inches that lacks an adipose fin should consider the fish a steelhead. Any steelhead caught by an angler not holding a steelhead permit must immediately be returned to the water. Steelhead limits on the Boise River are three fish per day, nine in possession, and 20 for the fall season. The fish are A-run hatchery steelhead, returning to the Idaho Power Company-owned and funded Oxbow Hatchery fish trap below Hells Canyon Dam on the Snake River. For more information regarding the Boise River steelhead release, contact the Fish and Game Nampa office at 465-8465 or check the department's web site at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/media/viewNewsRelease.cfm?newsID=7946  

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Hunters can hunt over agricultural crops as long as the growing process follows normal agricultural guidelines that are reccommended by county extension agents.

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  A youth (ages 10-17) can hunt both the A and B seasons of an elk zone.  However, the rules of each season must be followed specifically as stated in the Seasons and Rules as per weapon and sex. 

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Common Carp can be found in several places around Caldwell. Your best bet will be Lake Lowell from April through October, but spring is usually better. Try the shoreline access points along the northern shore such as Gotts Point and the the Deer Flat National Refuge headquarters. The Snake River and lower Boise River also have carp. Other spots include Crane Creek Reservoir, Black Canyon Reservoir and Brownlee Reservoir.  Spinning tackle works the best with a good bait being the most important. Carp can be very picky when it comes to bait, so do some research first. Most successful carp anglers are using baits such as corn and various homemade bread or dough balls. Sometimes a nightcrawler is all you need. Look for carp around flooded vegetation in shallow water in the spring.  Good luck!

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You can use a bow in a "short-range weapon" hunt without an archery permit validation. The archery permit validation is required for archery-only hunts. However, you are required to follow the archery equipment restrictions listed on page 98 of the 2015 - 2016 Big Game Seasons and Rules brochure.

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If you have access to a boat, try fishing flats east of Gotts Point in 10-20 feet of water. The north shore east of Gotts Point can be good in spring from April-June as catfish move to shallow waters to spawn. The west basin is also a good area. Check the flats along the south shore of the west basin (Caldwell Dam side) in 8-15' deep. Remember, boating is only upen April - September, so check with the Deer Flat Refuge office for details.  If you don't have a boat, access is a bit more challenging. Try fishing the access area around Gotts Point (the end of Greenhurst Road), and the shoreline along the Kingfisher Trail to the east of Gotts Point. There is also access near the Deer Flat Refuge headquarters. The long shoreline point near the headquarters and along the Nampa Dam are worth trying. Otherwise, the Caldwell Dam has a lot of access, but I'm not sure how good the catfishing can be. The most important thing to keep in mind is using good bait. Freshly cut fish like carp, suckers, pikeminnows or perch is the best bet. If you can't get fresh cut bait, try the more traditional catfish baits available at your local bait shop.  Good luck!

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Yes, this controlled deer hunt is an "any weapon" hunt. You may use your firearm for the entire length of the hunt.

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In Idaho we require seperate permits to fish for steelhead and salmon.  So, the Steelhead permit is good for fishing in the spring and fall steelhead seasons.  You need to record all steelhead caught and kept over 20" in length on your permit.  The Salmon permit is good for fishing in the spring and summer (spring Chinook salmon) and fall (fall Chinook and coho salmon). Salmon over 24" that are kept must be recorded on your permit by removing a date notch and recording the river section where the fish is caught.

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Muzzleloader permits were initially set up to count the number of muzzleloader hunters in order to design hunts for them.  They are now included in sportsmen packs but other license purchasers who are muzzloader hunters cannot be counted or contacted/surveyed without the permits at this point.  Thanks for your question.

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Thread the hook through the main body of the shrimp.  If the shrimp has been frozen or is soft, some people will put a couple of half-hitches of thread around around the shrimp on the hook to hold it in-place.   Most people will use shrimp below a "Sammy" when the river temperatures are cooler in the winter.