Richfield Canal System To Go On Fish Salvage

JEROME - The Big Wood Canal Company will stop releasing water from Magic Dam Aug. 8. This will dewater the Big Wood River below Magic Dam as well as the Richfield canal. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has opened the canal to salvage of fish the same day. "We would rather have people harvest these fish than let them go to waste when the canal is dewatered," said Doug Megargle, Regional Fisheries Manager. Salvage, bag, possession, and size limits will be removed on the Big Wood River from Magic Dam to the Richfield canal, the Richfield Canal downstream to the Gooding County line, and on the Richfield and Lincoln Canal systems. Licensed anglers may take the fish by any methods, except firearms, explosives, chemicals, or electric current, until Nov. 30. "We hate to see this happen, but because of the dry year it was inevitable," Megargle said. "We expect to see the fishery rebound in the next few years if we get adequate winter precipitation. There has always been some survival of young rainbow trout in the deep pools and areas with springs in the canal even during these dewatering periods."