Fisheries Management Plans and Programs

2019-2024 Fisheries Management Plan

Statewide, multi-year Fisheries Management Plan provides guidance and policy direction to fishery biologists for each major river basin in Idaho:

2019-2024 Fisheries Management Plan 388 pages — [2018: PDF, 18.6 MB]

Aquatic Nuisance Plan

Plans to prevent the illegal or inadvertent introduction of non-native aquatic species:

Idaho Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan — [2007: PDF, 3.4 MB]

Native Sport Fish Management Plans:

Redband Trout -- [2016: PDF, 7.4 KB]
Westslope Cutthroat Trout — [2013: PDF, 5.3 MB]
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout — [2007: PDF, 2.4 MB]
Big Lost River Mountain Whitefish — [2007: PDF, 397 KB]
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout — [2022: PDF, 10.4 MB]
Snake River White Sturgeon — [2024: PDF, 5 MB]

Fish screen

Idaho Fish Screen Program

Migrating juvenile salmon and steelhead (smolts) are often diverted into irrigation ditches. Fish screens are located in ditches to keep fish out of irrigated fields. When fish encounter a screen (revolving drum) they are guided back to the river through a plastic pipe. Paddle wheels provide power to rotate the drum screen. The rotation of the drum screen allows the water to wash debris off the drum.

Fish screens are built through a cooperative program funded by National Marine Fisheries Service and Bonneville Power Administration. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game constructs and maintains the screens in cooperation with local water users.