Frequently Asked Questions

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In most years, the dates you selected would align with a peak in steelhead movement up the South Fork Clearwater River.  However, the warmer weather we are experiencing this winter has got the steelhead moving early.  In fact, based on the number of PIT tagged steelhead we are detecting moving up the South Fork Clearwater, I would say that the peak in movement is probably occurring right now.  Fishing should still be good in mid-March, but the steelhead should be distributed more throughout the drainage.  

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No, a hunting license is not required to target shoot on public lands.  However, a hunting license is required when in the act of hunting, which is defined as the following: chasing, hunting, driving, flushing, attracting, pursuing, worrying, following after or on the trail of, shooting at, stalking, or lying in wait for, any wildlife whether or not such wildlife is then or subsequently captured, killed, taken, or wounded.

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This answer would be better suited for the Idaho Geological Survey. However, generally any specific rock in the bottom of any river really could be any age from the source rocks that "feed" that river. The Boise River flows through a variety of rock formations feeding the river. 

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It is legal to operate a bow or gun mounted camera while hunting rabbits or waterfowl in Idaho.  However, it is not legal to do this while hunting big game.

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Outfitters for fishing and hunting are confined to specific locations and often specific species. Without knowing where and what species you want to catch - we can't give you a good answer. What we can tell you is to visit the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Boards webpage http://oglb.idaho.gov/ . There you will find the best, most qualified people who can make your fishing trip a quality event. Good luck!

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I'm not sure what document you're referring to, but let me give you some background on bull trout/Dolly varden in Idaho and how the name has changed over time - at least in Idaho. "Bull trout/Dolly varden" are members of the Salmonidae family.  They are native to Idaho and have actually been cultured, reared and stocked at various times from our State fish hatcheries.  They are aggressive fish eaters, almost exclusively, when they reach between 8 - 12" in length.  For this reason, they are extremely vulnerable to angling.  Any plug or lure that mimics a fish will attract bull trout. The American Fisheries Society is the professionally recognized entity that names fish throughout the world.  Prior to the early 1970's the names "bull trout" and "dolly varden" referred to the same species of fish.  In early 1970, the American Fisheries Society split the species and began referring to fish that migrated to the ocean (anadromous) as "dolly varden" and the resident form that spent their entire life in freshwater as "bull trout."  Because none of our Idaho fish migrate to the ocean, we now call all Idaho species "bull trout" and "dolly varden" are the coastal run group of fish found in western Washington, Oregon, California, Canada and Alaska.  "Bull trout" are now recognized to inhabit Idaho and parts of northern Nevada, Montana and other areas cut-off from the ocean by barriers.    

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If you plan to release birds for the purpose of dog training, you would first need to obtain a Sport Dog And Falconry Training Permit. Applications for this permit can be obtained from your locale Fish and Game Office or you can download them from the IDFG website. The form can be found under Licenses/Applications and Forms/SPORT DOG AND FALCONRY TRAINING PERMIT APPLICATION.

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Short answer is you will have to pay for the new tag. Per the Idaho Fish and Game Commission rules. Fees for resident and nonresident adult control hunt tags that are subsequently designated to their minor child or grandchild are not refundable. When you purchase the controlled hunt tag and then designate the tag to the youth, the fees you paid for the controlled hunt tag are passed to the youth and they do not pay additional fees for the transferred tag. The adult must then pay for their general season tag.

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Daily bag limits can be found on page 45 of our 2013 - 2015 Fishing Rules booklet. In 2014, we did an emergency bag limit reduction be cause we were going to be short of brood fish returning to Dworshak and Clearwater Fish Hatcheries. That's probably where the confusion started. 2015 will be a better return year and the daily bag limit reverted back to those in the rule booklet - 3 per day and 9 in possession in the Clearwater River drainage open to fishing.

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Thank you for your questions.  The minutes of the January Commission meeting have been posted today and can be found on the website under the About Us section.  The reason that posting of these minutes is delayed has to do with meeting procedures.  The minutes of a previous meeting must be approved by the commission at their next meeting before they can be posted.  Your second question about providing video streaming of commission meetings is starting to be asked more frequently.  With new technology, meeting streaming is becoming easier.  However, while the technology is available, the current employee resources to make this happen are simply not available right now.  Providing video streaming of commission meetings is on the list of desired projects and the agency hopes to be able to provide this service in the not-too-distant future.    

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Nonresidents may purchase a short term small game license (3 consecutive days $35.50 ea), a nongame hunting license ($35.50), a season small game license ($97.75)  or a big game hunting($154.75) license to hunt jack rabbits. For information about where to hunt you can contact our regional offices. Here is a link to our regional office contact information http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/about/offices/.

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If you'd like to discuss this further with, and since I do not have a contact to reach you, please contact the webmaster@idfg.idaho.gov to be put in touch with someone so that we can better answer and hear your concerns. We respect your disagreement with the action and your disagreement with our response to it. However, I, the moderator of this Ask Fish and Game forum, feel that we're unable to answer your question through this forum. I look forward to hearing from you and sincerely thank you for your participation.