Frequently Asked Questions

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Big game tags and permits that must be notched, validated or attached to a carcass cannot be printed if purchased via the Internet. Those items will be printed and mailed to customers.

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Motor restrictions on the Henrys Fork are governed by Fremont County.  You can find the ordinance that restricts motor use on the Mack’s Inn reach at this link: http://www.co.fremont.id.us/departments/commission/waterways_ordinance_revised.pdf

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Yes.

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The regular deer tag is valid for mule deer and white-tailed deer. 

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After the pond was lowered, contractors for the City of Boise helped us lower an electrofishing boat into the remaining water.  We then spent a day collecting as many game fish as possible. Captured fish, mostly largemouth bass and bluegill, were then transferred into adjacent ponds.

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Sorry for the delayed answer. The LAP drawing was completed at the end of July.

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Generally speaking, the brown colored Sportmen's Access signs you see driving Idaho roads highlight fishing and/or boating access sites.  Access to hunting areas on private lands are publicized in Access Yes guides available annually in September.     

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Because snow geese are migratory game birds, the federal governments of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, under the authorities of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, are ultimately responsible for their protection and conservation in North America. In the United States, this responsibility has largely been delegated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The Pacific Flyway Council cooperates with the USFWS to develop regulations for migratory birds in the United States west of the Continental Divide. Both organizations consider the welfare of migratory bird populations first, and then public demands for recreation and subsistence harvest, and other uses. The USFWS sets migratory game bird hunting regulations by establishing the frameworks, or outside limits, for season lengths, bag limits, and areas for migratory game bird hunting. The total length of the light (Snow and Ross’s) goose season cannot exceed 107 days. The existing framework established by the USFWS currently allows for light goose hunting until 10 March in the Pacific Flyway; therefore, the March 10 closure is the latest date allowed as per the Federal Framework.  Furthermore, the most recent (2013) Pacific Flyway Management Plan for Western Arctic Population Lesser Snow Geese states the following: “Seek an overabundant designation for WAP lesser snow geese and implementation of Conservation Order seasons in Canada and the United States, or implementation of direct control on the primary breeding colony on Banks Island if the 2013 photo inventory indicates population growth.” The 2013 Banks Island photo inventory did NOT indicate population growth. As a result, an “overabundant” designation has not been sought in the Pacific Flyway to date. However, a banding program was initiated on Banks Island during July 2015 and has been funded through 2019. Results from this work will help to better inform light goose management in the Pacific Flyway in the future.  It is important to note that snow goose seasons in the Pacific Flyway are not similar to the “Conservation" seasons in the Midwest. Snow geese in the Central and Mississippi flyways are from the Mid-continent breeding population, and have been designated as “overabundant” due to extensive damage to their arctic tundra breeding grounds. In an effort to provide hunting opportunity for snow geese in Idaho, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game will continue to recommend a light goose season that closes as late as possible under the Federal Framework.  

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Idaho no longer restricts felons' possession of archery equipment. In general, there are fewer restrictions for weapons that do not involve explosive action. PLEASE NOTE: Individuals convicted of felonies are responsible for doing their own research to see if the law allows them to possess firearms. Laws vary among states and the federal government as to the restriction and restoration of rights for convicted felons.Also note that, in Idaho, one does need a bowhunter certification to hunt in an archery only hunt.This past legislative season, the rules defining a firearm restriction were indeed changed. As of July 1, 2015, there are now fewer restrictions on what firearms that certain felons may possess.Idaho Code Section 18-3302 defines “firearm” as “any weapon that will, is designed to, or may readily be converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive.”This includes all guns using explosive force, including:rifles,shotguns,handguns,muzzleloaders and similar guns.Before July 1, 2015 there was a different and broader definition of firearm that no longer applies.  Here are links to the basic Idaho laws on this subject:http://legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title18/T18CH3SECT18-310.htmhttp://www.legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title18/T18CH33SECT18-3302.htmhttp://legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title18/T18CH33SECT18-3316.htm Federal Restrictions: There are also federal restrictions on possession of firearms. Here’s a link to a U.S. Department of Justice summary of federal restrictions:http://www.justice.gov/usao/ut/documents/guncard.pdf

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Call it "Mother Nature's" fail-safe for any event that may effect survival of adult steelhead that arrive in Idaho earlier in the year.  If there is a rain-on-snow event that causes fish mortality or other natural disaster, there still will be late arriving fish to spawn and perpetuate the species. Genetics typically determine when Steelhead return to Idaho.  We have Steelhead that spend one-year in the ocean; two years or even three.  There are also Steelhead that never migrate to the ocean but still reach sexual maturity and spawn with the larger ocean-run fish.  They will actually begin their journey to Idaho as yearly as June in July, however, thermal barriers (pockets of warm water) will delay them at points in the Columbia River.  We've also had Steelhead delay entry into the Snake River until water temperatures cool from a rain event or release of cool water from one of the dams.  Steelhead continue to thrive in Idaho - despite all the "hurdles"  because they have diversity in when they return to Idaho from the ocean.  

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No.  Fishing for or targeting salmon/steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season is specifically opened for that water.    In other words, no salmon/steelhead fishing (including catch/release) is allowed unless there is an open season for that river location.   Steelhead rules can be found on our IDFG website, or download them here: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=38   Salmon seasons change annually, so watch the IDFG website for information on current seasons on our salmon fishing website: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/fish/chinook  

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The estimated quota for the South Fork Salmon is changing every day as more fish arrive over Bonneville and Lower Granite dams. The current estimate is that the quota will be in the range of 1,000-1,500 salmon. Much of the run is still migrating up through the lower river system, so estimating the quota with certainty can be difficult.  Fishing is not yet open on the river, so none of the quota has been harvested. Fishing opens this Friday the 19th. There have already been several hundress salmon collected at the South Fork trap, so there are already fish in the river. I would expect fishing to be good this weekend given the current conditions and numbers of fish in the river.  Good luck!