Frequently Asked Questions

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Tiger Muskie, as you would guess from their name, are agressive predatory fish.  They are effecient eating "machines" that survive well in Idaho lakes.   Sterile (unable to reproduce) Tiger Muskie have been introduced in mountain lakes to remove Brook Trout.  Brook Trout tend to over-populate and stunt (become short and skinny) which creates an undesirable fishing experience and impacts fish species like Rainbow and Cutthroat trout that are also competing for forage in the lakes.  In the case of Black Lake in the 7-Devils Mountains, we introduced Tiger Muskie several years ago.  They were so effective, after three years we could no longer detect Brook Trout in the lake.  We have now removed the few Tiger Muskie that remained and plan on restocking the mountain lake with Cutthroat, this fall.

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Thank you for your question.  You can haul your camping equipment to your camp as long as the trail you are riding on is open for travel.  Your camp can include your rifle or bow, but you can not hunt on the ride in or out.  Hunting includes stopping to glass, scouting, etc.  Once your camp is established, you can leave your ATV at your camp or you can ride out, but you can not use it to travel back and forth to your camp even though you are not hunting or you leave your rifle or bow in camp.  This would be an aid to your hunt because you are using the ATV to transport yourself to and from your hunting area and that is not one of the exceptions.  Hopefully this answers your questions, but if you would like to talk more about the MHR please feel free to contact me.  Scott Wright, Regional Conservation Officer, Pocatello. (208)236-1261.

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You will need to provide a statement from the social security administration on their letterhead explaining the individual(s) do not have a social security number. This documentation will need to be provided to an IDFG regional or headquarters office. We can then set up the individual(s) profile in the license system. Please contact us at 208-334-3700 if you have additional questions.  

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Yes they are, although some areas that allow access to the public have restricted them i.e. The Nature Conservancy's Silver Creek property. Remember, while legal in Idaho, it's always a good idea to be conscientious about spreading aquatic invasives. Clean, dry, and/or decontaminate if at all possible.  

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After completing the online bowhunter course, your certification card will pop on the screen to print and then use to purchase an archery permit. If you did not print your card, log back in using the Email you used to take the course. Go here to log in http://www.bowhunter-ed.com/idaho. If you cannot remember your E-mail or password follow the prompts OR contact our online course provider Kalkomey at 1-800-830-2268.

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No, catffish can not be trapped.  Catfish are classified as game fish and can not be trapped.  IDAPA 13.01.11.201.08, and the "Methods of Fishing and Equipment" section of the fishing rule book explains the trapping and seining rules for minnows and crayfish. Only minnows of unprotected nongame fish, minnows of yellow perch, and crayfish may be trapped.

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Wolf hunting tags can be used for either hunting or trapping, while wolf trapping tags can only be used for trapping. Thus, hunters may take up to 5 wolves, and trappers may take up to 10.

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In most instances, the removal or alteration of stream bank substrate is regulated by the Idaho Department of Water Resources (stream channel alteration) and the US Corps of Engineers, requiring a joint permit. Water quality certification of the activity by Idaho's DEQ is likely to be required also. Idaho Department of Fish and Game may be asked to comment on the proposed activity for potential affects on fish and wildlife.

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Hunts opening Saturday in the Owyhees unlikely to change With controlled deer and pronghorns hunts opening in Unit 40 in portions of Owyhee County Saturday, Aug. 15, Idaho Fish and Game is monitoring the Soda Fire, but not closing or altering hunts at this time, nor expecting to in the immediate future. Like all wildfires, situations with the Soda Fire in Owyhee County can change quickly, but the fire is burning mostly in the northwest portion of the unit, leaving much of the south and eastern portions open for hunting. There are road closures in Owyhee County affecting access into the unit, and updates on the fire and road situation are available on http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/13/# under “Soda Fire.” The Owyhee County Sheriff’s Office issued road closures on Aug. 13 for all roads leading into the Silver City area, except for fire-fighting activity and residents. The closure affects the Silver City, Trout Creek and Cow Creek roads. Upper Reynolds Creek Road is also closed, along with Jump Creek recreation sites and all trailheads from Silver City to Jump Creek. Trail closures are in effect on the Owyhee Front Range. As of Aug. 14, the following roads are open and provide access to the western, eastern and southern portions of Unit 40: Flint Creek/Triangle Road, Mud Flat Road, Poison Creek Road, Shoofly Road, Sinker Creek Road and Collett Road. Fish and Game has two hunts scheduled to open Saturday, Aug. 15. A mule deer hunt involving 50 hunters opens for all of Unit 40 and runs through Sept. 30. “There’s still a bunch of area available and really good deer country accessible that hasn’t burned,” said Scott Reinecker, Fish and Game’s Southwest Region supervisor. He also noted the fire could be out and roads reopened before the hunts ends on Sept. 30. An archery pronghorn hunt also opens Saturday and runs until Aug. 30 involving 200 hunters, but is open for units 40, 41 and 42 and only a small portion of that hunt is likely to be affected. Typically, Idaho Fish and Game does not close hunts or alter season dates in response to fire restrictions. Most fires are not large enough to affect an entire hunting unit. Hunters affected by a fire closure can either adjust their hunt plans (timing, location), or exchange controlled hunts for general tags in a different area. The exchange must take place before the season begins.

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Greetings,  When it comes to transporting fish, there are some specific (but often overlooked) rules to keep in mind. Your question is very good, as it addresses a gray area when interpreting the head/tail rule for transporting fish. The intention of the rule is for the fish to remain whole while in the field or transport. We recommend you keep the fish intact (gutting is OK) to avoid any law enforcement problems. This is intended to make it clear the number, species, and lengths of fish being kept.    The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has recognised the confusion over this rules and is proposing to make changes to make it easier for anglers to process fish in the field. If you would like to comment on the proposed changes to the "heads/tail rules", you can find our online public comment survey here: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/public-involvement   Page 53 of the current fishing regulations states the rule for transporting trout and bass: "Head and Tail Removal:  It is illegal to have in the field or in transit any trout, char, coho, kokanee, grayling, tiger musky, or bass from which the head or tail has been removed."   You can find the current 2013-2015 Fishing Rules at this link: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/rules/seasonsRules.pdf   Good luck fishing at Deadwood!

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Hello,  Thanks for your question about Pacific Press Pond. The pond is primarily a bass and bluegill pond, but may have other species of sunfish like pumpkinseed. IDFG does do not know if there are any crayfish in the pond. Soft plastic baits like senkos, worms, and creatures fished with a weedless Texas rig would be a good bet. This is a private pond owned by Pacific Press and is not managed by IDFG. Please contact Pacific Press for more information about their specific access and fishing rules. They can be reached at 208-465-2500.  Thanks