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 1951 - 1975 of 3534 questionsQ: Can the hunting passport be a substitute for Hunters Education?
I am taking my first time hunter friend hunting with me this year with the Hunting Passport, and would like to know if he is still going to need to take Hunters Education before next season??A:
The hunting passport is a one-time only item. It DOES NOT substitute for hunter education. The person holding it must get their hunter education taken before they can hunt again.answered 6/1/2013
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The only exception to the requirement of having a "2-pole" permit for using an additional rod is on Lake Pend Oreille in north Idaho. On that lake you can use an unlimited number of rods while fishing from a boat, without a "2-pole" permit.answered 6/1/2013
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You can keep 6 rainbow trout from Lightening Creek but none of those can be cutthroat trout. That is from Memorial Day weekend to December 1. After December 1, there is a catch-and-release season. There is no limit on lake trout in the Lightening Creek system. You can also keep 6 kokanee. Typically, they are found in the creek during the fall and early winter when they run into tributaries to spawn. Fishing success varies by time of year. In the summer, fish deeper pockets and back eddys. I use bait or roostertails for the best success. If you fly fish, match the hatch in the spring and summer. Winter fishing is the biggest challenge.answered 5/31/2013
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You can now look up your Idaho Hunter Education (or Bowhunter Education) number and print out the information from our Website at: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/hed/public/duplicateprintcards.aspx.answered 5/31/2013
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Literature suggest that young birds ready to leave the nest consume 2.4 lbs of fish per day while breeding adults consume around 4 - 5 lbs of fish per day. F08answered 5/31/2013
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There is no limit on northern pike in the Panhandle Region - including Lake Coeur d'Alene and tributaries. F08answered 5/31/2013
Q: Bull Moose in Unit 65
Is there a conservation officer or biologist in Unit 65 to communicate with in regards to Moose populations? I finally pulled a Moose Tag for 2013 and I would like to research more into the habits of the Shiras Moose.A:
Contact the IDFG Upper Snake Region office at 208-525-7290.answered 5/30/2013
Q: Is it legal to breed Hedgehogs in Idaho ?
Have been told you can have up to 3 females and not be required to have a USDA license. Have also been told they are not legal in the state ?A:
Hedgehogs are not classified as wildlife in Idaho so Idaho Fish and Game does not have jurisdiction over them. Check with the Idaho Dept of Agriculture (http://www.agri.idaho.gov/) for more information.answered 5/29/2013
Q: Controlled hunt and Super Tag in the same year?
Can I put in for both a controlled hunt and a super tag in the same year?A:
Yes, you can put in for both...answered 5/29/2013
Q: Where can I get maps
I have drawn a sheep tag for hunt 27-1 and need all of the information I can get. Where can I get good maps that show my hunt area borders? I've seen maps somewhere on this site for sale, but I can't find them again.A:
There is a map order form in our Big Game rules book at https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/docs/rules/bgUnitMapDesc.pdf. You can also create maps using the Hunt Planner (http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntPlanner/).answered 5/29/2013
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Please check the News Releases on our Website for the latest information. The link is https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/media/?getPage=179. The most recent information, posted on May 29, 2013 is Salmon fishing to close on part of the lower salmon river Fishing for adult Chinook salmon in the lower Salmon River from the U.S. Highway 95 Time Zone Bridge upstream to the mouth of Shorts Creek will close at the end of fishing Sunday, June 2. No adult Chinook, 24 or more inches in total length, may be kept. But jacks less than 24 inches may be harvested. Weekly angler surveys indicate that the sport fishery in the Lower Salmon and Little Salmon rivers will have harvested a significant portion of nontribal fishery share of adult Chinook salmon returning to the Rapid River Hatchery by June 2. Fishing for Chinook will continue in the lower Salmon downstream of the Time Zone Bridge and in the Little Salmon from its mouth to the U.S. Highway 95 bridge near Smokey Boulder Road. In the section closed to harvest of adults, the daily limit is four jacks, and the possession limit is 12. The season remains open on jacks, and the daily and possession limits still apply, but season limits do not apply to jacks – Chinook salmon less than 24 inches long. In the lower Salmon, downstream of the Time Zone Bridge, and in the Little Salmon, the daily limit is four Chinook, only two may be adults, and the possession limit is 12 Chinook, only six of which may be adults.answered 5/29/2013
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Please contact the Panhandle Region office at 208-769-1414.answered 5/29/2013
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Biologists for unit 36 are based in the Salmon Region office. The phone number is 208-756-2271.answered 5/29/2013
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You can get a regular trapping license without taking a class first, but you CANNOT trap wolves until you have taken a wolf-trapping class.answered 5/28/2013
Q: bowfishing
could you possibly send me an e-mail that has all the places I can bow fish in southwest Idaho my email is thank youA:
You can bowfish in any body of water as long as it is open to fishing. Only nongame fish can be taken using a bow. You must have a fishing license.answered 5/28/2013
Q: When a group application is used, for the drawing does each individual in the group have a chance to draw the tag for the group?
When a group application is used, for the drawing does each individual in the group have a chance to draw the tag for the group? For example: If three people apply for an elk special permit with a group application do all three individuals names go "in the hat" or is just one individual used to draw for the group? Thank you for your time.A:
Each application is given a number; if that number is drawn, each person on it is given a tag.answered 5/28/2013
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We've removed the minimum length limits from bass in Magic in an attempt to keep them from over-populating and stunting. Fish rocky shore areas in the spring for best results. The reservoir will be very low in the summer of 2013. I would fish down by the dam for best results. F08answered 5/28/2013
Q: does lake cascade or payette lake have pike or muskie?
been hearing that there in thoughs lakesA:
Muskie have been found in Cascade Reservoir and Little Payette Lake. Pike are generally found in Idaho's big Panhandle lakes.answered 5/28/2013
Q: Are there sturgeon in Lucky Peak Reservoir Boise ID?
I've been hearing that there are sturgeon in lucky peak and I've seen one in the boise river and was curious if theres amy in the lakeA:
There aren't any sturgeon in Lucky Peak.answered 5/28/2013
Q: Why is it necessary to keep trout with the head and tail while transporting?
Many spots have nice fish cleaning stations for use. It is much easier for transport and storage to fillet the fish on the spot. After all, they are not like bass which have a minimum legal length.A:
The requirement that rainbow trout must have heads and tails attached while in transit is due to the fact that there are some fisheries with length restrictions on harvested fish. Examples would be lake trout from Payette Lake (none over 30"); So. Fork Snake River brown trout harvest (2 over 16"); Henrys Lake tributaries (2 brook trout over 16"), Twenty-four Mile Reservoir (2 trout, none under 20"), etc.. The other reason for requiring heads and tails be attached is because in waters with anadromous fish (steelhead) a rainbow trout over 24" in length is classified as a "steelhead" whether it migrates to the ocean or not. If you remove the head and/or tail, we can't verify the length. We also need to have the tail attached so we can verify whether the rainbow/steelhead was produced in a hatchery.answered 5/27/2013
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A fishing license is required for anglers 14 and older. A hunting license is available for youth at 10 years old (they can hunt for varmints, turkeys, small game and waterfowl). At 12 a hunter can hunt for big game. They must be able to provide that they have passed hunter education.answered 5/27/2013
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No, IDFG does not require a permit to float the Box Canyon. Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation does require that a boater have an invasive sticker permit before floating. For motor boats, this is covered in the registration of the boat. For non-motorized boats, this sticker will have to be obtained from a Parks and Rec office, or at this website: https://idpr.idaho.gov/Renewal/Default.aspx#answered 5/27/2013
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It is June 8, 2013.answered 5/26/2013
Q: Yellow Catfish at Swan Falls
What is the size limit for yellow catfish at swan falls.A:
There is no size, bag or possession limit for catfish in Swan Falls Reservoir.answered 5/26/2013
Q: Can I safely launch a 20ft pontoon boat at Lower Twin Lakes on Rose Lane ?
We are new to the area and would love to fish Twin Lakes and Spirit Lake. Can we safely launch a 20ft. pontoon boat at these lakes and if so, what lauch site would you advise using. thank you,A:
Please contact the Panhandle Region office at 208-769-1414. They are familiar with that area and can help you.answered 5/25/2013