Frequently Asked Questions
We get a lot of questions. We post here answers to questions we're being asked frequently. If you have a question not answered here, please contact us. Urgent questions should be directed to your nearest office. Some answers change over time; please take note of the "answered" date.
Displaying 3076 - 3100 of 3534 questionsA:
No. Anglers need to record only Chinook salmon longer than 24 inches on their permit. But salmon less than 24 inches in total length still apply toward the daily, possession bag limits.answered 6/20/2010
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The application deadline is June 30. Applications that come in after June 30 are added to the list but have little chance of being selected. Applicants must have a valid Idaho hunting or combination license. Depredation hunts, if needed, are usually held on short notice, in small areas and involve only a few hunters. Hunters may apply in different regions, but only once each year for deer, once for elk and once for pronghorn. Information and application forms are available in the 2010 Big Game Rules books, pages 76 and 77.answered 6/13/2010
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No. When the court revokes someone's hunting, fishing or trapping privileges for a period of time, it means just that, the privileges are revoked, whether they need a license or not. It is illegal for anyone to hunt, fish, or trap or purchase a license to do so during the time the privilege is revoked.answered 5/27/2010
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Drawing results for mountain goat, bighorn sheep and moose will be available online in early June. All applicants will get either a tag or a refund check in the mail by June 10. It is the hunter's responsibility to find out whether he or she was drawn. Online results will be available on the Fish and Game Website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/ch/results.cfm.answered 5/9/2010
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Most steelhead fishing waters are now closed. But not all. The Little Salmon River from its mouth to the U.S. Highway 95 Bridge near Smokey Boulder Road is open to May 15. The Snake River from Hells Canyon Dam to Oxbow Dam and the Boise River from its mouth to Barber Dam both remain open until May 31. Anglers must have a valid 2010 Idaho fishing license and steelhead permit. For more on steelhead fishing see the current fishing brochure or visit http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/fish/rules/steel.pdf.answered 5/2/2010
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Family Fishing Waters are great places to take the family fishing. They are easy to get to and have plenty of fish to catch. Each of Idaho Fish and Game's seven regions across the state can answer your questions and get you and your family started on the road to fishing. Or find local Family Fishing Waters in the current fishing rules brochure or online at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/ffw/.answered 4/25/2010
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Residents can buy a one-day fishing license but not a three-day salmon or steelhead permit. Residents and nonresidents alike may buy a "license entitling a person to fish in the waters of the state on a day-to-day basis." A daily license costs $12.75 plus $6.00 for each additional day purchased at the same time, but a daily license holder can't buy a salmon or steelhead permit. Resident anglers must first buy a season fishing license for $25.75 to buy a salmon or steelhead permit for $12.75. Nonresidents, however, may buy a three-day combined license and salmon/steelhead permit for $37.50. The rules do not allow Idaho residents to buy the nonresident three-day license.answered 4/18/2010
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The sign-up period to participate in depredation hunts this year runs from May 1 through June 30. Applications that come in after June 30 are added to the list but have little chance of being selected. Applicants must have a valid Idaho hunting or combination license. Depredation hunts, if needed, are usually held on short notice, in small areas and involve only a few hunters. Hunters may apply in different regions, but only once each year for deer, once for elk and once for pronghorn. For more information and an application form check pages 76 and 77 in the 2010 Big Game Rule Book, or online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/rules/bg/.answered 4/11/2010
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The application period for elk controlled hunts, as well as controlled hunts for deer, pronghorn, fall black bear and fall turkey runs from May 1 through June 5. Hunters may apply for controlled hunts at any hunting license vendor, Fish and Game office; with a credit card by calling 1-800-55HUNT5 or 1-800-554-8687; or online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. An additional fee is charged for telephone and Internet applications. Hunters must have a 2010 Idaho hunting license to apply.answered 4/4/2010
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The application period for elk controlled hunts, as well as controlled hunts for deer, pronghorn and fall black bear runs from May 1 through June 5. Hunters may apply for controlled hunts at any hunting and fishing license vendor, Fish and Game office; with a credit card by calling 1-800-55HUNT5 or 1-800-824-3729; or online at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov. The application fee is $6.25 per person, $14.75 for nonresidents. An additional fee is charged for telephone and Internet applications. Hunters must have a 2010 Idaho hunting license to apply. Be sure to use the 2010 Big Game Seasons and Rules brochure when you apply. It will be available in mid-April.answered 3/28/2010
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The winter stream season ends March 31 - except in the Panhandle Region, where it runs through May 22. Until then trout fishing is catch-and-release only, but whitefish and brook trout may be harvested in streams open during the winter stream season. Except that whitefish in the Big Lost River are protected and may not be harvested at any time. Fishing gear or bait restrictions that apply to a river or stream section during the general season also apply during the winter stream season. See regional exceptions in the Idaho 2008-2010 Fishing Seasons and Rules for waters open to winter stream fishing. Fish may be taken in the many rivers and streams open to fishing all year; other streams closed for the winter open to fishing May 23 for the Memorial Day weekend.answered 3/14/2010
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Yes. The waiting period requirement is for those who drew an antlered hunt in the first drawing. Those who draw an antlered hunt in the second application period for a leftover or unclaimed tag or who purchase an antlered hunt in the leftover first-come, first-served sale period do not need to wait one year to submit an application for an antlered hunt for the same species.answered 3/7/2010
Q: When does Fish and Game start stocking fish, and how can I find out where they are being stocked?
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Fish and Game stocks some waters all year round. Other waters are stocked at various times during the year. Some species are stocked all summer, others like trout are limited by temperature. So for some good early season trout fishing, head out now before the weather gets too warm. For a current stocking report in your part of the state contact the regional Fish and Game office, or go online to: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/stocking/.answered 2/28/2010
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The application period for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat controlled hunts begins April 1 and runs through April 30. The rule book is published every two years, so this year's book will be the same as last year's. The fees have changed since the book was printed. The new fees are $166.75 for resident moose, sheep or goat tags, plus a $6.25 controlled hunt application fee. The cost for nonresidents is $2101.75, plus a $14.75 application fee. The rule books are available at license vendors, Fish and Game offices and on the Fish and Game Website: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/rules/mgs/.answered 2/22/2010
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Successful applicants for spring turkey and bear hunts will be notified by postcard after March 10. You can also check your status through the Idaho Fish and Game Website in March, at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/ch/results.cfm. It is the responsibility of hunters to find out whether they were successful in the controlled hunt drawing.answered 2/7/2010
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A two-pole permit does not allow anglers to double the number of lines they can use when ice fishing. In most of the state, there are no restrictions on the number of holes an ice angler can drill, except they can't be more than 10 inches in diameter. An angler can fish with up to five poles or lines at a time, and up to five hooks per line, but a two-pole validation does not allow more than five lines while ice fishing. All lines must be attended by the angler. One exception is on Bear Lake, where a two-pole permit allows anglers to use two poles - even when ice fishing - and there is no limit on hole size for dip-netting cisco. Another exception is on Daniels, Springfield, Treasureton and Twenty-Four Mile reservoirs, where only one rod is allowed for ice-fishing. Check fishing rules book for exceptions.answered 1/24/2010
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The 2010 Big Game Seasons and Rules won't be available until after the Idaho Fish and Game Commission sets the big game seasons for 2010 at the commission meeting in late March. The books go to the printer shortly after that and will be available in early April. The seasons are not set earlier because any changes are based in part on the results from 2009 hunting seasons, which must be gathered and tabulated before changes can be recommended.answered 1/14/2010
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No. Ice fishing rules are slightly different than general fishing for public safety and general crowding. Fishing is allowed only through a hole up to 10 inches in diameter. This reduces the risk of someone falling through holes. (The only exception is on Bear Lake in Southeast Idaho where anglers can dip-net cisco through any size hole.) There are no restrictions on the number of holes, but an angler can fish with up to five poles or lines at a time, and up to five hooks per line. A two-pole validation does not allow more than five lines while ice fishing. All lines must be attended by the angler. Anglers also should check the rule book for regional restrictions.answered 1/10/2010
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Hunters can sign up to participate in depredation hunts - special controlled hunts used to relieve big game damage problems on agricultural crops - for deer, elk and pronghorn in areas they are willing to hunt in 2010 when the Big Game Seasons and Rules books come out in April. They may apply only once each year for deer, once for elk, and once for pronghorn. Applications received before June 30 are placed in random order. Applications received after June 30 are placed at the end of the list in the order received, and generally have little chance of being selected. Most regions issue only a handful of depredation permits each year. Contact the regional Fish and Game offices in the areas you want to hunt. To get an application online go to http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/rules/bg/license_info.pdf; go to Pages 73 and 74 in the Big Game Seasons and Rules book; or contact the nearest Fish and Game office.answered 1/3/2010
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Glad you asked. Fish and Game has extended the fishing rules booklet for one more year so don't throw away your 2008 - 2009 Fishing Seasons and Rules brochure. It will be good through 2010. Fish and Game is revising the brochure, and a new edition will be out in 2011.answered 12/27/2009
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A power boat launched in Oregon needs an Oregon aquatic invasive species permit. Nonresident permits are available at $22 from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife license Website or Oregon Marine Board Website: www.boatoregon.com. A boat launched in Washington, Oregon or another state, and then entering Idaho waters, does not need an Idaho Aquatic Nuisance Species sticker. Idaho stickers are required only on boats that launch in Idaho waters.In short, apply the rules for the state from which the boat is launched. And that means if you already have an Idaho resident sticker, and you want to launch from the Oregon side, you need an Oregon nonresident permit as well.answered 12/20/2009
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The receipt for resident big game tags is offered as a convenience, so you only have to make one purchase. Resident general deer and elk tags usually go on sale around July 1, however, if you desire to purchase a capped elk zone tag you may purchase one of those tags on or after July 10 until the resident limit set for the zone is met. Please note that this is a new date this year and has been moved up from August 1.answered 12/7/2009
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No. Fish and Game offers annual license and lifetime license certificates. These licenses are valid for the lifetime of the license holder and are available to all residents of Idaho. If a lifetime certificate holder moves out of Idaho, they will continue to receive an annual license, but they will have to pay nonresident tag and permit fees. The lifetime certificate does not include tags and permits. Lifetime certificates can be purchased at Idaho Fish and Game headquarters and regional offices. The cost varies with the age of the buyer.Applicant Combination Hunting Fishing0 - 1 year $795.50 $276.75 $601.752 - 50 years $1,113 $386.75 $841.7551 and older $636.75 $221.75 $481.75answered 11/30/2009
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No Idaho state taxes go into Fish and Game budget. The agency's revenue comes from license and tag sales, federal funds from taxes on hunting and fishing equipment, from mitigation agreements for hydroelectric projects, and from federal and private grants and donations.answered 11/15/2009
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Nonresident tags may be sold only at the prices specified in Idaho Code section 36-416, which are set by legislation. The law doesn't make a provision for lowering the price when the tag is sold to a resident.answered 11/8/2009