Frequently Asked Questions

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This is a difficult question to answer because there are way too many variables that need to be considered.  Let me start by listing my recommendations by season. 1.  Winter - If you want to catch trout in the winter, there are several ice fishing and stream options.  The Boise River is one of my favorite winter stream angling locations because of it's mix of wild and hatchery rainbow trout.  The best fishing is from Lucky Peak Dam to Eagle, Idaho.  If you want to catch-and-release fish for rainbow, the South Fork Boise and Big Wood River are both exceptional winter fisheries for rainbow trout.  Both of these systems have gear restrictions (no bait, etc.).  2. Spring - When the ice goes off Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir anglers catch 15"+ rainbow trout from the bank.  Bait or lures seem to be just as effective.  Salmon Falls is located along the Nevada/Idaho border. 3.  Summer - You can't beat our mountain lake fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout.  Fishing lakes in the Sawtooth Mountains yields breath-taking scenery with great fishing.  You can hike for a day or week into this high elevation location. 4.  Fall - Fall yields the most options for trout fishing.  If you want to fish "flat water" consider C.J. Strike Reservoir on the Snake River.  If you want stream fishing, the Upper Snake area north of Idaho Falls, Idaho is some of the most scenic country in the state and fantastic fishing.  I'd also suggest the St. Joe River in the northern part of Idaho.  Fall colors and an abundance of cutthroat make for fast action.

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East of McCall and Cascade, Idaho.  If you are going from Boise, take Highway 55 north.  Just out of Cascade, turn east (right) on the Warm Lake Highway.  It will take you to the upper end of the South Fork Salmon River.  There is a road that parallels the South Fork Salmon River and runs downstream. To access the lower end of the South Fork Salmon River, take the road that runs east out of McCall towards Yellow Pine.   F08

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A taxidermy license is not required for buying and selling antlers if you are not mounting them.

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You can only apply for unlimited controlled hunts during the May 1-June 5 application period; they are not part of the second drawing.

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No.  Controlled hunt tags can only be transferred to a child or grandchild.  More information about this from our website:  Any resident [or nonresident] adult person who possesses any controlled hunt tag may designate the controlled hunt tag to their resident [or nonresident] child or grandchild under the age of eighteen (18) who is qualified to participate in the hunt.  Rules for use of controlled hunt tags in Sections 260 and 261 and rules for eligibility in Subsection 260.03 apply to any adult person who possesses and designates a control hunt tag to their  child or grandchild. Mandatory school (hunter education) as provided in Section 270 shall apply to the designated  child or grandchild.  Designation of the controlled hunt tag shall be made on a form prescribed by the Department and may be submitted either in person to any Idaho Department of Fish and Game Office or by mail to the License Supervisor at P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707.   The form is online at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/licenses/huntCHtagPermitDesignation.pdf. 

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The objective of the Super Hunt is to raise funds to help pay for the Access Yes! program.  Access Yes! compensates landowners across the state to open up their private property to hunting, fishing and wildlife dependent recreation. The Super Hunt is a raffle and is open to anybody wishing to participate.  People interested in participating can purchase as many opportunities as they wish. It has often been stated that the majority of winners are out-of-state hunters.  But this is incorrect, the majority of tags each year have been going to Idaho residents.  In 2012 62% of the tags went to resident hunters and in 2010, 74% of the tags went to Idaho residents.

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By notifying the Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game within 24 hours and completing reporting requirements within 72 hours (to obtain a free permit), Idaho residents and nonresidents can now recover and keep wildlife species classified as upland birds, upland game animals, big game, furbearers, unprotected wildlife, and predators that may be lawfully hunted or trapped that have been killed by accidental vehicle-collisions.  A list of wildlife species that can be salvaged can be viewed by going online at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/roadkill.   Protected non-game wildlife, Threatened or Endangered species, migratory birds (which are federally protected), and other wildlife species not lawfully hunted or trapped may not be recovered, possessed, or salvaged.   The language of this rule is specific to “accidental kills caused by wildlife vehicle-collisions”, and does not include other man-caused mortalities such as crippling loss, train collisions, fence kills, and others.  

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If you were born after January 1, 1975, you must take hunter education or show proof you have held a hunting license that is valid in another state.  You must purchase an Idaho hunting license to hunt in Idaho.  Then, if you want to hunt big game with archery equipment instead of a rifle, you must add an archery validation to your license.  To add the archery validation, you must show proof that you have hunted with archery in Idaho or another state. If you have hunted with archery but no longer have proof of it, you can fill out a bowhunter affidavit, available online or at a vendor.

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Yes, you can use parts of gamefish as bait in crayfish traps.  To be safe, I'd recommend using the inedible parts of the fish so there is no question about potential waste of a gamefish. Better yet, use canned tuna or catfood as bait.  Take a small can and punch several holes through the top and bottom.  That way they can't eat all the bait and it can be used for multiple sets. F08

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  We have not changed the law--there is no minimum caliber as long as you are NOT using a rimfire weapon.  (See muzzleloading equipment exception below). In any hunt, including any-weapon seasons, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals: • By any means other than approved firearms, muzzleloaders and archery methods. • With any electronic device attached to, or incorporated on, the firearm or scope; except scopes containing battery powered or tritium lighted reticles are allowed. • With any firearm that, in combination with a scope, sling and/or any attachments, weighs more than 16 pounds. • With any fully automatic firearm. • With any shotgun using shot smaller than #00 buck. • With any rimfire rifle, rimfire handgun, or muzzle-loading handgun, except for mountain lions or legally-trapped gray wolves. PLEASE NOTE THE RESTRICTION BELOW WHEN USING MUZZLELOADING EQUIPMENT: Muzzleloader Caliber Requirements In any hunt, including general any-weapon seasons and shortrange hunts, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals with any muzzleloading rifle or musket that is less than .45 caliber for deer, pronghorn, mountain lion or gray wolf; or is less than .50 caliber for elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat or black bear.  

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All Fish and Game offices will be open Friday, July 5 from 8:00 to 5:00 local time.  They will, of course, be closed July 4.

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There are no prohibitions in Fish and Game Code preventing you from carrying a firearm while archery hunting. Idaho does not require the wearing of hunter orange to hunt game, except: all upland game bird and upland game animal hunters are required to wear visible hunter orange (a minimum of 36 square inches) above the waist during the pheasant season when hunting on WMA's where pheasants are stocked (see upland game brochure).