During February and March, Fish and Game’s fisheries managers will work with the public to shape three fishing proposals: 2018 Chinook salmon seasons, upcoming statewide fishing seasons and rules through 2021, and updating Idaho’s long-term fisheries management plan.
Chinook salmon seasons are set annually, so fish managers are collecting public comments to help them form rules for the spring season.
The statewide fishing rules are set on a three-year cycle with the current ones expiring Dec. 31. In November, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission will adopt regulations that will be in effect until 2021.
Public input is also needed to update the statewide Fisheries Management Plan, which lasts from 2019 to 2024. It helps guide fisheries managers to set program priorities and also establish sport fishing and conservation goals.
Here are links to the current Fishing Regulations and the 358-page Fisheries Management Plan.
Fish and Game will host meetings to share information and get comments from anglers and other interested people. You can also provide comments directly to regional fish managers (contacts listed below) or through this Public Comment Form.
Comments from public feedback will help fisheries staff develop proposed changes, which will also go through another round of public review before the Fish and Game commission adopts new rules in November.
Meeting schedule
Feb.12: 5:30 p.m., Orofino, Clearwater Fish Hatchery, 118 Hatchery Roe Drive.
Feb.13: 5:30 p.m., Riggins, Salmon Rapids Lodge, 1010 S. Main Street.
Feb. 13: 5:30 p.m., Moscow, Fairgrounds, 1021 Harold Street.
Feb. 13: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Pocatello, IDFG Southeast Region Office, 1345 Barton Road.
Feb. 15: 5:30 p.m., Lewiston, IDFG Clearwater Region Office, 3316 16th Street.
Feb. 20: 4 p.m., Nampa, IDFG Southwest Region Office, 3101 S. Powerline Road.
Feb. 20: 7 p.m., Ashton, Henrys Fork Foundation Community Campus, 801 Main Street.
Feb. 20: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., McCall, IDFG McCall Office, 555 Deinhard Lane.
Feb. 21: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Jerome, Magic Valley Regional Office, 324 South 417 East.
Feb. 21: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Boise, MK Nature Center, 600 S. Walnut Street.
Feb: 21: 7 p.m., Driggs, County Courthouse, 150 Courthouse Drive.
Feb. 22: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Hailey, Blaine County Community Campus (Queen of the Hills Room), 1050 Fox Acres Rd.
Feb. 22: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Emmett, Black Canyon High School, 400 S. Pine St.
Feb. 23: 7 p.m., Idaho Falls, IDFG Upper Snake Regional Office , 4279 Commerce Circle.
March 5: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Salmon, IDFG Salmon Regional Office, 99 Hwy 93 North.
March 6: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Challis, Challis Community Event Center, 411 Clinic Road.
March 6: 6:30 p.m., Ponderay, Ponderay Events Center, 401 Bonner Mall Way.
March 7: 6:30 p.m., Coeur d’Alene, IDFG Panhandle Regional Office, 2885 W. Kathleen Ave.
Fish and Game regional fish managers contacts
Panhandle Region
Andy Dux
208-769-1414
Clearwater Region
Joe Dupont
208-799-5010
Southwest Region – McCall
Dale Allen
208-634-8137
Southwest Region – Nampa
Joe Kozfkay
208-465-8465
Magic Valley Region
Doug Megargle
208-324-4359
Upper Snake Region
Dan Garren
208-525-7290
Southeast Region
David Teuscher
208-332-4703
Salmon Region
Greg Schoby
208-756-2271