New Year Means New Rules For Ririe Reservoir

Ever since 1995, the winter fishery at Ririe Reservoir has been restricted to fishing through the ice only, but all that is about to change thanks to rules that take effect on January 1, 2008. Often, anglers complain that Idaho Fish and Game never listens to them, but the recent streak of nearly iceless winters prompted Fish and Game to make a change. Starting with the New Year, Ririe Reservoir will be open to year-round fishing, as long as the water is free of ice. "Historically, the fishery was in effect closed for much of the winter because there was no ice," Regional Fish Manager Jim Fredericks said. "With the new changes, if there's no ice anglers will still have the opportunity to fish." As long as the water's open, angler can fish anywhere. Once it freezes, then it's back to the current regulations of only fishing through the ice within one mile of the dam. For the last dozen years, open water meant no fishing. The special season was created to ensure anglers didn't compromise this important winter range. "Because wintering wildlife does not appear to be impacted by angler in boats the same way that they are by anglers moving around on the ice by ATV or even foot, we were able to get these modifications approved," Fredericks said. According to original agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, the area at the upper end of the reservoir is closed to protect critical winter habitat for deer and elk. In addition no snow machines or ATV's are allowed within a quarter-mile buffer zone around the entire reservoir. To ensure angler safety, no snow machines are allowed on the frozen lake surface as well. The road that leads from State Highway 26 to the Juniper parking area is plowed to allow vehicle access. Anglers still need to walk or ski to their fishing spots once the reservoir freezes over. Because the new rules don't go into effect until January 1, 2008, the current rules still restrict fishing to through the ice only and one mile up from the dam. Because ice fishing doesn't allow much of a margin for error, anglers should make sure ice is thick enough for safe travel and should be prepared for whatever weather conditions could arise.