Angler Etiquette

We need your help to reduce conflicts during Idaho’s popular fishing seasons.

Idaho’s rivers offer amazing opportunities; however, crowded fishing areas can create angler conflicts. Some anglers have asked Idaho Fish and Game to add rules to reduce conflict, but more rules result in less fishing opportunities.

We believe anglers can reduce conflict with these three simple steps:

1. Talk to one another about how to best fish together.
2. Be tolerant of other people’s mistakes and ignorance of generally accepted
   fishing practices by taking a moment to help educate them.
3. Remember that everyone wants to enjoy themselves while fishing, so treat others with respect and think about
   how you’d like to be treated.

Angling Practices to Reduce River Conflict

• Someone fishing a spot first has priority. If someone is already there, respect their space, or ask that person if they mind if you join them. Don’t overreact if they say no.
• Demand will dictate angler density. The more popular an area, the closer you can expect to fish with others, even if you were there first. If fishing shoulder-to-shoulder with others bothers you, seek a less-popular spot.
• Try to fish the same way as others around you. Boat or shore anglers should NOT anchor or plunk in areas where drift fishing is the common fishing strategy.
• Avoid “low holing” another angler. Don’t fish immediately downstream of an angler fishing in a downstream manner, whether on shore or in a boat, without asking first. It’s called low holing, and it’s widely frowned upon. The correct thing to do is to start fishing upstream of this angler.
• When a boat angler encounters a bank angler, give the bank angler room to cast and fish, especially if anchoring or slowly trolling nearby.
• In popular areas where both boat and shore anglers drift fish, boaters should maintain enough spacing so that shore anglers can fish between each boat. Additionally, shore anglers should not cast over a boater’s line.
• When a nearby angler, whether on shore or in a boat, hooks a fish, reel in your line and wait until the hooked fish is landed or out of the way before you recast.
• Be a mentor. Experienced anglers should share their knowledge about how to best fish together.
  Done properly and with courtesy, everyone wins!

Boat Wakes

• Boat wakes can be a source of conflict and a safety concern. Every boater must be aware of their wakes, and other anglers need to know how to be safe around boat wakes.
• If your boat wake might put somebody in danger, significantly disrupt someone’s fishing, or cause damage to another boat or fishing gear, slow down and don’t leave a wake. In crowded conditions, boaters should idle through when possible.
• In areas where there is strong current or shallow water, boaters may have to stay on plane to safely pass by. If you are fishing an area like this, you will need to be more tolerant of boat wakes.
• All anglers should know where the boating lanes are, and stay clear of these areas when you hear boats coming. Conversely, boaters should give other anglers time to clear out of the boating lane before driving through.
• Know how to reduce your wake when passing others. A boat traveling faster “up on step” leaves a smaller wake than a boat traveling slower, plowing through the water. When passing an angler or boat, throw your wake away by turning the stern away from the angler or other boat.

Keep Our Rivers Clean

When you’re on the river, don’t leave fishing line, bait containers, and trash on our riverbanks. If you see someone else’s trash, it’s easy to pick it up. Be one who helps keep our rivers clean.