Idaho Fish and Game has identified several errors in the 2011-2012 Fishing Seasons and Rules for the Panhandle, Magic Valley and Upper Snake regions.
The highest profile errors are missing Chase Lake in the Panhandle Region and the closed season on Silver Creek tributaries.
Panhandle Region
Chase Lake was omitted. It should have been included in the list of Special Rule Waters on Page 7. The following rules apply to:
- Chase Lake:
- Electric motors only.
- Bass limit is 6, only two may be largemouth bass, no largemouth bass under 16 inches.
The section for lower reach of the Coeur d'Alene River (to the confluence of the North Fork and South Fork) on Page 7 is incorrect; there are no special gear restrictions on this section. The rule should read:
- Coeur d'Alene River and Tributaries (to the confluence of the North Fork and South Fork)
- Trout limit is 6, no harvest of cutthroat trout.
Magic Valley Region
Under Silver Creek tributaries on Page 22, the posted sections of Loving and Butte creeks on Hayspur Fish Hatchery property omitted two seasonal restrictions: the trout limit of two, none under 20 inches, runs from Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30; and the section is closed to fishing from December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekend.
The rule should read:
- Section: The posted sections of Loving and Butte Creeks on Hayspur Fish Hatchery property.
- No motors.
- All diversion ponds have the same rules as the connected stream.
- Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30 - trout limit is 2, none under 20 inches.
- December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekend - closed to fishing.
Upper Snake Region
Under the section on Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area on Page 31, the third bullet point is incorrect. It should say: Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30 - motorized watercraft prohibited.
The section should read:
- Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area
- December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekend - closed to fishing.
- Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through July 15 - no boats, rafts or float tubes.
- Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30 - motorized watercraft prohibited.
The section on South Fork Snake River tributaries on Page 31 should say that it does not include Palisades Reservoir Tributaries. The rule should read:
- South Fork Snake River tributaries (except Palisades Reservoir tributaries)
- July 1 through March 31 - trout limit is 6, no harvest of cutthroat trout.
- April 1 through June 30 - closed to fishing.
