Trout Plate on Sale Now

The new Idaho license plate featuring Idaho's official state fish, a native cutthroat trout, is now available statewide at your local county assessor's auto license office. More than 37,000 Idahoans have chosen wildlife plates since the program began in 1993. The cutthroat license plate joins the popular bluebird and bull elk plates on Idaho vehicles. Revenue derived from plate sales funds wildlife programs that are not covered by hunting and fishing license sales. Proceeds from the wildlife plates support the nongame watchable wildlife fund administered by Fish and Game. A small portion from the cutthroat and elk plates also supports programs in the departments of Agriculture and Parks and Recreation. An initial program fee of $35 is charged when the plate is first purchased with each subsequent renewal costing $25. These program fees are in addition to all other applicable annual registration fees. The plates can be personalized. John Sandy, former Idaho Legislative Assistant Majority Leader from Hagerman, was instrumental in helping pass the legislation for the new cutthroat plate. John reported, "The cutthroat plate is a beautiful edition in finalizing the three-plate wildlife series. I'm confident that sales from this plate will greatly enhance the efforts in protecting the status of nongame wildlife in the state of Idaho." Sandy, the new Chairman of Idaho's Republican party, expressed delight with the reactions he received from people regarding his new cutthroat plate. He commented, "Everywhere I go people want to know where to buy one. Some folks have even driven immediately to their motor vehicle office and purchased one that day!"