Frequently Asked Questions

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In the past, we have attempted to utilize Beach's Pond for bass, bluegill, and channel catfish.  Unfortunately, this did not work well. In small ponds, channel catfish are substantial predators. In this portion of the state, we now avoid stocking channel catfish in nearly all small ponds (less than 2 acres).  In situations where channel catfish are not harvested quickly, they have the ability to harm other fish populations such as bass and bluegill. For the time being, we do not plan to stock channel catfish in any of the Wilson Ponds.  As a side, there are plenty of outstanding catfishing opportunities in the Snake River, Lake Lowell, Brownlee Reservoir, as well as in several larger ponds around the Treasure Valley.

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Hi everybody, I’ve been getting bombarded with questions regarding this year’s Steelhead runs so I figured it is about time I give you all an update.  I’ve been holding off until I had enough information to give you something meaningful.  So here you go. For steelhead there are typically two different runs of fish destined for Idaho that people are interested in.  One is the earlier arriving Steelhead that are typically dominated by one-ocean fish and are mainly destined for the Salmon River, the Grand Ronde River, and Hells Canyon Dam.  This run of steelhead is commonly referred to as the “A” run.  The other is the later arriving fish that is typically dominated by larger two-ocean fish and are predominately destined for the Clearwater River basin.  This run of steelhead is commonly referred to as the “B” run.  By this time of year, typically over 90% of the A run destined for Idaho has passed over Bonneville Dam so we pretty much know what we are going to get.  When we look at the number of PIT tagged steelhead destined for Idaho we estimate around 70,000 A run steelhead will pass over Lower Granite Dam.  This number will vary some based on what survival is between Bonneville Dam and Lower Granite Dam.  If you are wondering, this is very similar to what we saw the last two years (see graph below).  For the B run of steelhead destined for Idaho, typically by this time anywhere from 45 to 60 percent of the run has passed over Bonneville Dam.  As such, there is some uncertainty on what is yet to come.  However, if the trend holds, it looks like we could get about twice as many fish this year as we saw last year.  Again this is dependent on how the run holds out at the survival we see between Bonneville Dam and Lower Granite Dam.  The graph below shows how this year’s projected B run compares to previous years.  Many have asked me whether we would be implementing restrictive regulations for steelhead on the Clearwater River this year.  I can tell you that if the run holds true to our projection, no changes to the rules will be necessary.  To date 22,000 steelhead have passed over Lower Granite Dam (since June 1), and over the previous three days at least 1,300 steelhead a day have been passing over the dam.  Fishing has been fairly slow (> 20 hrs/fish) in the Snake River and Clearwater River downstream of Memorial Bridge where fish can be harvested.  But expect these catch rates to improve as more fish move into Idaho.  Steelhead fishing in the catch-and-release area of the Clearwater River (upstream of Memorial Bridge) has been fairly good with catch rates around 5 to 6 hours a fish.  One interesting this about this year’s A run is that over half the fish that have passed over Lower Granite Dam are two-ocean fish (9-13 lbs).  So, although the catch rates haven’t been all that great, people have been pleased with the size of the fish they are catching.  Now that the B run is just starting to reach Idaho, the size of the fish should just get bigger.

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Not based on the information you have provided. Here is the state law regarding archery permits: Idaho Code 36-411 (b) Archery education. On and after January 1, 1994, no person shall be issued an archery permit unless that person presents to the department a certificate of completion in archery education issued by the department, or proof that such person holds the equivalent of such a certificate obtained either in Idaho or from an authorized agency or association in another state, or proof that such person has previously held a valid archery permit in Idaho or another state or country. To buy an archery permit, all bowhunters must possess a valid hunting license and show proof they have completed an approved bowhunter education course or show evidence of having been licensed for an archery-only hunt in Idaho or another state, or complete an affidavit to that effect.

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Idaho trespass law generally applies to whether a canal/ditch and related access roads are open to public access and to specific activities such as hunting. The land containing irrigation canals  and related access roads may be owned by the irrigation company, or it may be owned by a third party with the irrigation company having a right-of-way or easement that may give it rights to control access.  The Fish and Game Commission has closed certain portions of canals and reservoirs to hunting activities, such as the New York Canal in Ada County from the New York Canal Diversion downstream to Boise City limits, and our season & rule brochures identify those closures.  Canals/ditches and access roads on Fish and Game Wildlife Management Areas and other public lands are generally open to public access unless otherwise posted.  Fish and Game always encourages hunters, anglers and trappers to know whether land is public or private and to "ask first" before accessing private property.

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Yes, you can fish using a rod, reel and lure/bait while under water.  I'm not sure what the advantage would be - but it is legal. We often receive questions about the use of spearguns while diving, to harvest fish.  Only nongame fish can be harvested using archery equipment, spears or mechanisms that propel a sharp device to take fish.  A fishing license is required to fish using these methods.

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Very good question and one our agency has explored in the past. The sockeye that return to the Stanley Basin run the longest distance inland of any sockeye population in the world.  Back in the early 1980's, IDFG staff went to Babine Lake in northern British Columbia, Canada and took eggs from sockeye at that location.  The fish were then reared and released in the Stanley Basin to begin their migration to the ocean.  This was done for two consecutive years.  Not a single adult sockeye returned to the Stanley Basin lakes from this experiment. We surmise that something in the genetic makeup of these fish just didn't allow them to make the over 900 mile freshwater journey back to Idaho.  We're not sure if they didn't have the capability to detect the tiny fraction of water from their release stream in the Columbia River or they just weren't capable of storing the fat reserves to give them energy to survive the long swim - bottom line was, they just never made it back to Idaho.

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You can find specifications for archery equipment in the 2014 Big Game seasons and rules book (page 100). Under Archery equipment it reads: "it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals:  with a bolt (crossbow) less than 12 inches from broadhead to nock inclusive." The answer to your question is discussed further in a previous question found at the link below: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/question/are-homemade-arrows-legal...    

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Normally IDFG does not make site visits to address disputes regarding ownership.  However, you can contact your local conservation officer or regional office and inquire as to if they have had issues in this area before. It is always helpful to have a good quality map of the area you are hunting.  BLM produces some very good maps and many of the newer GPS units have a landownership layer.  These are always useful in discussing issues related to ownership.

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All of the winners in the second super hunt drawing have been notified. Results of the drawing have been provided to our web group and should be posted soon.

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You are restricted to the Snake River Zone with the tag you currently have. Elk zone tags are only valid for the zone they are purchased for.  The exceptions are for depredation hunts, extra antlerless elk hunts, or buying a discounted nonresident elk tag as a second tag, if available.  

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Please refer to pages 41 of this years upland game and furbearer rules at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/hunt/?getPage=141 to learn how to apply for the Controlled Hunt beaver permit.  You must apply by Sept. 15 for the trapping permit.  Check the rules for starting dates for beaver trapping in your region.

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Unless otherwise noted, all streams and lakes are open year-round in Idaho now.  The Kootenai River is open all winter, as is the Moyie.  Both have some very good trout fishing.  There are lots of lakes in the Kootenai drainage as well that offer trout fishing opportunities all year.  Smith, Bonner, Brush, and Robinson are all stocked with hatchery trout.