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 1926 - 1950 of 3534 questionsA:
The most current Chinook salmon season information is posted on our website at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=110. Please check this information for the answer for your question about what is open or call the Salmon Hotline (Toll Free): 1-855-287-2702 for information.answered 6/11/2013
Q: Free fishing for men on Father's day weekend
My father told me that men fish free on father's day weekend. Is that still in effect?A:
No...that isn't correct!answered 6/11/2013
Q: Question on 2 pole permits in Idaho
Every year I purchase a 2 pole permit in Idaho for salmon, trout, and steelhead fishing. The question I have is very specific and pertains to getting close to limiting out on your daily limit.If an angler is 1 fish away from the daily limit, be is salmon, trout or steelhead can that angler still use 2 poles to catch the last fish. I have looked through the regulations and could not find any specific information on this. I was told by another angler over the weekend that if you are 1 fish away from your limit that you can only fish with one pole until you catch that fish. I was under the impression that once I purchased the two pole permit I could use two poles until I caught my daily limit. Could I get a clear clarification on this because if the law does state that you have to go to 1 pole in this situation I would like to know that in the future.. Thank you very much,A:
There are no rules that require you to stop legally using two-poles (with a two-pole permit) when you are within one fish of your bag limit. Yes, technically you may exceed your bag limit by hooking two fish at the same time, but, realistically your odds of that happening are extremely low. If by chance you do hook two fish at the same time while being within one fish of your bag limit, you have the option to keep one of the fish and release the other one or release both fish.answered 6/11/2013
Q: When I bring home trout I tend to fillet them leaving some waste. Can I use the head or any other part as catfish bait?
I know in some states, using any part of a game fish as bait is illegal. I also know that trout must be killed when removed from the water where they were harvested. I just hate wasting the head and tails of trout carcasses if I could be using them to catch catfish. Thank you.A:
Using dead fish and fish parts as bait is legal: Bait: Organic substances, other than rubber, wood feather, fiber, or plastic, attached to a hook to attract fish. Bait includes insects, insect larvae, worms, dead fish, fish parts, any other animal or vegetable matter, or scented synthetic materials. Note: Use of live fish , leeches, frogs, salamanders, waterdogs or shrimp as bait is prohibited in Idaho, except that live crayfish may be used if caught on the body of water being fished.answered 6/11/2013
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The most current Chinook salmon season information is posted on our website at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=110. Please check this information for the answer for your question about what is open or call the Salmon Hotline (Toll Free): 1-855-287-2702 for information.answered 6/11/2013
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Several years ago, evidence of sex rules were specific to the hunt. In other words, in an either-sex hunt there was no requirement for evidence of sex; while in sex-specific hunts there was the requirement. Depending on the year, and the hunting season, the evidence-of-sex requirement did or did not apply - even in the same unit. This created confusion among hunters. In an effort to simplify the regulation and make it easier to comply with, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission changed the rule to standardize it's application for all big game hunting. Fortunately, there are some very simple and uncomplicated ways of leaving evidence-of-sex. For females, leaving 1 teat attached to the carcass will suffice. For males, leaving a small section of the penil ligament (white cord entering the rectal canal) attached to 1 hind quarter is all that is needed.answered 6/10/2013
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The most current Chinook salmon season information is posted on our website at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=110. Please check this information for the answer for your question about what is open or call the Salmon Hotline (Toll Free): 1-855-287-2702 for information.answered 6/10/2013
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A Commerical Fishing license to set more than 5 traps and sell crayfish costs $111.75 for residents and $266.75 for nonresidents. You then must buy a tag for each trap that costs $3. Note: Commercial Fishing license are on a fiscal year rather than other IDFG licenses that are issued on a calendar year. Commercial licenses are good from July 1 through June 30 of the following year (e.g. a license purchased after July 1, 2013 is valid until June 30, 2014). F08answered 6/10/2013
Q: When will the south fork of the Salmon River open for fishing this year?
Hopefully soon, as this is my favorite river and is the only one i care to fish. All the details you can give please?A:
The most current Chinook salmon season information is posted on our website at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=110. Please check this information for the answer for your question about what is open or call the Salmon Hotline (Toll Free): 1-855-287-2702 for information.answered 6/8/2013
Q: Fishing with a 2 pole permit for trout, steelhead or salmon
I have a technical question on fishing for trout, steelhead and salmon with a two pole permit. I have always purchased a two pole permit and used 2 poles for trout and steelhead. I do have a specific question on daily limits and fishing with two poles. For example I was told that once I had harvested 4 trout out of 5 that I could only use 1 pole to catch my last fish of the day by another fisherman. I did not think that was correct but could not find anything in the regulations about it? Does it apply per species, is it different for salmon and steelhead? I was under the impression that when I purchase a two pole permit it allows me to use my 2 poles until my limit is reached? thank you for the clarification..A:
As long as you have the two-pole permit you can fish with two poles until your limit is reached. You don't have to stop using two poles when you only have one more fish left to make your limit. Two poles can be used for steelhead, Chinook and trout fishing.answered 6/7/2013
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July 10.answered 6/7/2013
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The 100-yard range at Farragut State Park reopened to the public on Saturday, June 1. The range is now open for public shooting the first and third Saturdays of each month through the summer on a first-come, first-served basis. Hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. There is a $5 range use fee in addition to the Farragut State Park entrance fee. Firearms are limited to rifles including .22 caliber, centerfire rifles less than .50 caliber, and muzzleloaders up to .54 caliber. For now, no handgun shooting is allowed. In the future, Fish and Game plans to complete work to open a 50-yard and a 200-yard shooting area of the range. The range has strict safety rules with on-site supervision by IDFG, high berms and sand pit backstops, noise and bullet containment baffles, perimeter fencing, and facilities for disposal of used targets and casings.answered 6/7/2013
Q: If I am on Indian Reservation land but on a State Highway, can I still collect the animal if it is killed accidentally?
Are there any other requirements if an animal is killed on Indian Reservation property?A:
Please contact Tribal Authorities about that.answered 6/5/2013
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Results will be out by July 10.answered 6/5/2013
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Due to Idaho Privacy Laws, we cannot release the names of license holders. No license is required to purchase a superhunt entry so there isn't any way for entrants to look up their status. Here is information that we released about the first superhunt drawing of 2013: After the first Super Hunt drawing of 2013, 26 lucky hunters won the hunt of their dreams. Winners of Super Hunt tags for a deer, elk, pronghorn or moose can participate in any open hunt in addition to any general season or controlled hunt tags they also hold. All other rules of individual hunts apply. The results are in from the June drawing: Deer tags went to two hunters from Idaho, two from Washington, and one each from Wyoming, Wisconsin, Texas and Nevada. Elk tags went to five hunters from Idaho, two from Washington and one from Minnesota. Pronghorn tags went to four hunters from Idaho, two from California and one each from Washington and Minnesota. A moose tag went to a hunter from California. And the Super Combo went to an Idaho hunter. The number of entries increased by about 17.5 percent over 2012. This year Fish and Game received 41,722 entries for the June drawing. In 2012, there were 35,499 entries. The special drawings began in 2004 as a way to raise money for the Access Yes! program, which helps assure hunter and angler access to and across private lands by compensating willing landowners. For information about this program contact local Fish and Game officials or visit the website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/accessyesguide.aspx.answered 6/4/2013
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The winner must purchase their own hunting license but there is no charge for the tag.answered 6/4/2013
Q: Regulations state "No fishing from boats or rafts, float tubes allowed". Would the new inflatable, pontoon style, single person fishing boats that are slowly replacing float tubes be legal under this description.
Provide as many specifics as you can to help better answer your question. Please omit personal information in this area.A:
IDAPA rule 13.01.11.004.16 defines a float tube as: " Float Tube. A floating device that suspends a single occupant, from the seat down, in the water, and is not propelled by oars, paddles, or motors. (4-6-05). Not sure which new pontoon boat you are referring to, but if the operator isn't in the water from the waist down or is using paddles, oars or motor for propulsion - then it doesn't meet the definition of a "float tube." F08answered 6/4/2013
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Yes, we sell those tags over the counter. The season is Deer Seasons General Archery Regular Tag Unlimited permits 8/30/13-9/30/13 Either-sex Mule and White-tailed Deer Archery Unit 78 You must purchase an Idaho hunting license, a regular deer tag and an archery validation.answered 6/3/2013
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Several years ago, evidence of sex rules were specific to the hunt. In other words, in an either-sex hunt there was no requirement for evidence of sex; while in sex-specific hunts there was the requirement. Depending on the year, and the hunting season, the evidence-of-sex requirement did or did not apply - even in the same unit. This created confusion among hunters. In an effort to simplify the regulation and make it easier to comply with, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission changed the rule to standardize it's application for all big game hunting. Fortunately, there are some very simple and uncomplicated ways of leaving evidence-of-sex. For females, leaving 1 teat attached to the carcass will suffice. For males, leaving a small section of the penil ligament (white cord entering the rectal canal) attached to 1 hind quarter is all that is needed.answered 6/3/2013
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Vehicles parking on the roadway were impeding traffic for the canal employees and others. To alleviate this issue, we've cooperatively restricted access to discourage anglers from parking on the dam. F08answered 6/3/2013
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Our guess would be a small parasite - possibly a copepod. They cause ulcerations on fish that lead to what appear to be pustules and open sores. There is no risk to human heath if the fish is cooked properly. Many times, as the sores heal, there will be scar which look like grains of sand.answered 6/3/2013
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Yes, we do allow the use of game fish for cut bait when fishing for sturgeon. F08answered 6/3/2013
Q: Is the salmon fishing still open in the snake river bolow hells can. dam ?
There is no mention of this area about closures or limit changes in the latest info.A:
The most current Chinook salmon season information is posted on our website at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=110. Please check this information for the answer for your question about what is open or call the Salmon Hotline (Toll Free): 1-855-287-2702 for information.answered 6/2/2013
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We currently are unaware of any feral pigs or wild hogs in Bruneau. We had some localized activity a few years ago but have not had any reported after one was removed. If you are aware of feral pigs in the Bruneau or any area in Idaho and have evidence to support it, please contact the regional office with the information. We do not want any feral hogs anywhere in Idaho and are doing what we can to eliminate them. Thank you.answered 6/1/2013
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In a permitted private pond, the landowner sets the rules and bag limits. If you're leaving a private ponds with more than the legal bag limit from a public water, make sure you have a receipt for the fish in your possession - in the event an officer checks you while in transit. F08answered 6/1/2013