Frequently Asked Questions

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Thanks for your interest in ice fishing Henrys Lake.  We extended the season in 2011 to allow for more opportunity for anglers.  Like you, many anglers have expressed a lot of satisfaction with this longer season.  However, there are others who would like to see the rules returned to a more conservative level, and cite the lack of big fish in recent years as justification for more restrictive rules.  Based on IDFG biological data, the smaller sized fish seen in 2011 - 2013 are the result of an increased abundance of wild fish, and not overharvest by anglers (particularly ice fisherman), as some suggest.  We have implemented a program to restore the size structure of the population, and have reduced stocking levels by nearly a half-million fish annually.  We are starting to see fish size increase, and anglers are reporting catching larger fish again.  Once we bring that population back in balance, we can consider additional changes to the regulations, but for the time being, we intend to focus our efforts on restoring balance to the size structure of that population. If you have additional questions or comments, feel free to contact me at 525-7290. Dan Garren Regional Fisheries Manager

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In this instance you can take the copy you have to your local Fish and Game office and they can print a duplicate at no additional cost to you.

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Answer:  What happened with the flash floods in the South Fork and Middle Fork Boise River drainages was a unique event that most of us have never experienced before – at least in this river system and our lifetime.  Intense rain on recently burned slopes released mud and debris into what was a relatively stable river system. With the floods in the South Fork and Middle Fork Boise Rivers, we expect a decline in the overall trout population over the next few years as the forces of nature reshape the riverbed substrate.  Changing flows will sort materials and create new spawning and juvenile fish rearing areas.  Once the river is again relatively stable, we expect the wild trout populations to rebound higher than before the floods due to increase diversity of habitats, the introduction of more woody material (fish and aquatic insect habitat) and an increase in nutrients (carbon) the aquatic ecosystem needs to thrive. Last summer when the floods happened, the water column in Lucky Peak and Arrowrock reservoirs were stratified by water temperature.  Cold water was on the bottom of the reservoirs with warmer water on top.  What we suspected was happening is, the mud-laden run-off was flowing along the bottom of the reservoir in the cold water layer and being discharged into the Boise River through Lucky Peak's deep-water collection system.  We anticipated that once the different temperature water mixed/turned over in the fall, the mud would settle and the Boise River through town and Lucky Peak Reservoir would again appear clean.  As we both know, that has not happened. What impact will the sediment in Lucky Peak Reservoir have on stocked rainbow trout and kokanee?  Our best guess is, it could actually improve growth rates on rainbow and kokanee and make the fishing better.  Fish growth in Lucky Peak is dependent on both phyto and zooplankton.  The Boise River system, when compared to many river systems around the State of Idaho, is lacking base nutrients.  This flood event may have increased the nutrient level in the reservoir, which in-turn, will improve plankton biomass (food).  We could and should see benefits, especially to the kokanee growth rates in Lucky Peak, as early as 2015.  

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Yellow trout were indeed again stocked in Sego Prairie Pond. Typically, bright colored fish don't last long in pond environments where they are stocked.  If they aren't caught by anglers, their distinct color makes them more vulnerable to predators such as large birds (pelicans, blue heron, eagles, osprey, etc.) or mammals (otter, mink, etc.).  Their chances of surviving more than 30 days in the wild are virtually 0%.  To my knowledge, we've not documented yellow-colored trout over-wintering and providing fishing opportunities the following year.

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To purchase an Idaho hunting license you must show a previously purchased hunting license OR proof of your Hunter Education certification (card) ONLY IF you were born on or after January 1, 1975. If you were born prior to this date you can purchase a license without showing proof of a license or certification. If you hunted in Idaho or took Hunter Education in Idaho, we have this information in our database and we recommend going to a local Fish & Game office for assistance. If you need to look up your Hunter Education Certification card, the fastest and easiest way is to use our self-serve hunter education 'duplicate' card look up online. Retrieve your card and print it for free. Where to buy a license? You can purchase online on our website, at a Fish & Game office or a vendor. Our vendors are located in numerous locations - sporting good stores, big box stores...  

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This appears to be in response to this Question and Answer: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/question/legally-moving-tagged-ani... The wording of "not on the antlers" in that answer is specific clarification for the original question. It is not a quote from the 2014 seasons and rules book. The tag must accompany the largest portion of the meat.   

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The short answer to your question is no.  Legal hunting hours in Idaho are limited to daylight only.  This is defined as one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset for most species.   It is legal to hunt some predators including coyotes and jackrabbits after dark with the aid of artificial light under one of two conditions.  You are hunting on private property and have written permission from the landowner.  You are hunting on public land and have obtained a permit from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to hunt with the aid of artificial light.  Applications for this permit can be obtained from your local Fish and Game Regional Office.  

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IDAPA rule 13.01.11 says, 05. Gaff Hook.   It is unlawful to land fish of any species with a gaff hook except through a hole cut or broken in the ice in waters which have no length restrictions or harvest closures for that species or when landing nongame fish species taken with archery equipment. So the answer to your question is, "yes, you can use a gaff hook to remove fish when ice fishing, as long as there are no length limit restrictions in-place or species closures for the fish you are catching.  

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At this time (December 2014), trapper certification is not required for a general trapping license.  However, the Fish and Game Commission may consider a mandatory trapper education course in the near future.  If you are interested in trapping wolves, then wolf trapper certification is required.

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You can still catch steelhead near Riggins but fishing could be slow.  As water temperatures cool, the fish are less active.  A Sammy and shrimp work well this time of year - especially in the afternoon when the sun is on the water.

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The Department does not plan on requesting to extend this hunt.   This hunt is designed to help address depredations during the period of October - December.  The hunt was modified last year with both landowner and hunter input.  The Department will continue to be responsive to agricultural concerns as mandated by statute through the rest of the year including January-March.  Other tools are at the Department's disposal and will be used to manage elk populations.  Throughout the fall success rates to some degree are at the mercy of the weather and it is standard pratice to adhere to the dates of estabished hunts whether they be general season, controlled hunts, or landowner permission hunts.     

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The was to approach such a request or recommendation is to work directly with the wildlife staff at your regional fish and office, well in advance of the next year's season setting process. Now would be an excellent time to initiation those dicussions.