Frequently Asked Questions

We get a lot of questions. We post here answers to questions we're being asked frequently. If you have a question not answered here, please contact us. Urgent questions should be directed to your nearest office. Some answers change over time; please take note of the "answered" date.

Displaying 76 - 100 of 3534 questions

A: 

Because Chinook Salmon return to so many places in the state, it’s hard to say there is a best place to fish.  Much of this has to do with an angler’s preference in how they like to fish and how far they are willing to travel. 

If you want to fish where the best catch rates occur consider fishing closer to where the fish are released.  Recognize that these locations are also the most crowded and it is not unusual to fish shoulder to shoulder in these areas.  You can learn where these release locations are by calling the Clearwater or Salmon Fish and Game offices. If you don’t like crowds, there are many places where one doesn’t have to fish right next to another person.  However, these places tend to have lower catch rates.  If one does enough searching, at times you can find good fishing with little competition from other anglers. 

Some people like to fish from boats whereas others like to fish from shore.  In general, the smaller rivers tend to provide the most shore fishing opportunities, and the larger rivers tend to provide more boat fishing opportunities.  If you like shore fishing consider the South Fork Clearwater, Little Salmon, South Fork Salmon, and upper Salmon rivers.  If you want to fish from a boat consider the Clearwater and lower Salmon rivers.

answered 4/29/2016

A: 

There are three different runs of Chinook Salmon that enter Idaho, each provide fishing opportunities at different times of the year.

Spring Chinook Salmon: Hatchery spring Chinook salmon tend to start entering Idaho around the end of April or Beginning of May with the peak of the run entering Idaho around early to mid-May. These fish are destined for the Clearwater River basin, the Snake River (up to Hells Canyon Dam), the lower Salmon River and the Little Salmon River. On most years the fishing season for spring Chinook salmon opens around the end of April and may last as short as a couple weeks or as long as four months depending on the number of fish returning.

The best time to fish can vary considerably depending on where you want to fish, the timing of the run, and weather and flow conditions. The general rule of thumb is the closer you are to the Idaho-Washington border, the earlier you will want to fish. If you want to fish in the lower Clearwater and the Snake rivers, consider fishing in May. If you want to fish near the town of Riggins, late May to mid-June tends to be the best times. If in doubt, feel free to call the Clearwater Fish and Game office.

Summer Chinook Salmon: Hatchery summer Chinook salmon tend to start entering Idaho around mid to late June with the peak of the run occurring around late June to early July. These fish are destined for the South Fork Salmon River, and the upper Salmon River. On most years the fishing season for summer Chinook salmon opens around the end of June and may last as short as a couple weeks or as long as three months depending on the number of fish returning. The best time to fish can vary considerably but often the best time to fish is in July. If in doubt, feel free to call the Clearwater Fish and Game office.

Fall Chinook Salmon: Hatchery fall Chinook Salmon tend to starting enter Idaho around late August to early September with the peak of the run occurring around mid to late September. These fish are destined for the Snake River and Clearwater River. On most years the fishing season for fall Chinook Salmon opens on September 1 and ends on October 31. The best time to fish can vary considerably, but often mid-September to early October are the times when most like to fish for fall Chinook Salmon.

answered 4/29/2016

Q: controlled hunt

When putting in for a group hunt of 4 people, do we have 4 chances to draw tags, or is it just one chance for all for people?

A: 

Each application is entered into the drawing one time regardless of group size.
answered 4/27/2016

A: 

Based on comments we have received from customers over the years, we have changed our process for mailing licenses when they are purchased on-line or through a mobile device. Licenses purchased on-line are to be printed at home and licenses purchased via a mobile device now download electronically to the mobile device used to make the purchase. If you did not print the license at the time you purchased it on-line, you will need to contact our license section at licenses@idfg.idaho.gov to request a duplicate affidavit be sent to you.
answered 4/27/2016

Q: Is it legal to feed small herd of white tail deer in Winchester Idaho on are property.

We have several Apple trees on are property and deer have bin eating them for long time we like to watch them and take pics and stuff . My ? Is can I put feeders out there and help keep them heathy wen trees arnt making apples and Cherry's and plums. Thanks Shawn w hammond

A: 

The deer do not need supplemental feed to survive.  Typically when deer are fed they concentrate in the area of feeding denuding the vegetation close by and passing disease through contact at the feeders.  Also, deer when being fed tend to keep the youngest from the feeders and frequently cause them to starve or become injured.  Supplemental feeding no matter the time of year is not something we recommend.  Is it legal?  So long as you aren't hunting off them yes.  Is it a good thing to do?  No.
answered 4/26/2016

Q: Bobcat

Why isn't there a limit on harvesting bobcat, like other game animals?

A: 

Bobcats are classified as a furbearing animal.  Furbearers include bobcat, fox, marten, mink, muskrat, beaver, otter, lynx, fisher, and badger.  Of these, lynx and fisher are fully protected with no legal harvest, and otters have a quota.  Lynx are listed as threatened and wolverine are listed as protected non game.   None of the other furbearers have quotas or limits except a few controlled hunts for beaver.  Fur trapping effort fluctuates with fur prices as much as anything.  When fur prices are up, people tend to trap more.  When they are down, people trap less.  License sale fluctuates with fur prices as well.  Bobcat harvest fluctuates with fur prices and they have gone through several cycles over the last few decades and so have bobcat populations.  Recent high harvest has declined likely a result of fur prices declining and reduced trapping pressure.  We continue to monitor annual harvest and survey trappers to identify any concerns for bobcat and other furbearer populations.
answered 4/26/2016

A: 

Hello, The Riverstone Pond is owned by the City of Coeur d'Alene.  Unfortunately, they do not allow public fishing.  We have approached the City to let them know we are willing to stock the pond in exchange for it being opened up to fishing, but they have had concerns about doing this.  We'll continue to work with the City in the future to see if something can be arranged, but for now it is not open to fishing. Thanks for the question. Andy Dux Regional Fishery Manager
answered 4/25/2016

Q: Trophy Species waiting period

My friend drew a tag for a bighorn sheep in 2014 and harvested a ram. Can he apply for a moose tag in 2016, or does he have to wait until 2017 to apply? When does the 2 year waiting period for trophy species start?

A: 

Those who draw a trophy species must wait two years before applying for a trophy hunt again. Based on the information you provided, the individual must sit out the first application period in 2015 and 2016. They may apply for a moose hunt in first application period in 2017. They may also submit an application in the second application period in 2016 if any moose tags go unfilled during the drawing.
answered 4/25/2016

Q: Moose hair request

I received a letter/request for hair from a moose I shot years ago for a study . My Question is 2-fold . Will I ever get a report on the report ?, and is this study to try and show that wolfs are not the cause for the disappearance of the moose from central Idaho ? Thank you , Bruce Chaffee .

A: 

Thanks for the questions.  Question 1) will I ever get the report?  We will make an interim and final report available online on our website when they are completed.  It takes a long time to organize the hair, send to UI lab for analysis, anlyze the data, and write a final report.  However, we are sincerely thankful for all the assistance people have provided in sending the hair to us.  We have had much greater response than anticipated which will increase our abilities to understand historical conditions of moose. Question 2.  Is this a study to show that wolves are not the cause of moose disappearance in central Idaho?  The idea of science and research is to look at causes based on data and the scientific method, not what we think is going on based on a hunch.  We have lots of ideas of what is going on with moose but we have little research to prove anything.  This hair research will not prove anything but will give us a needed piece of the puzzle and provide us a glimpse into what micronutrient condition the moose were in when they were increasing in numbers compared to condition they were in when declining.  Catttle producers have known forever that certain micronutrients are critical in pregnancy and calf survival and health, and the ability of animals to put on weigh, avoid diseases and succumbing to parasites, and thrive.  That is why they supplement with mineral blocks.  We have little research on what micronutrient levels are necessary for health, pregancy, and calf survival in our wild ungulate populations.  We assume they are getting what they need in the wild.  However, their bodies do crave salt and minerals and when they are available, they use them.  We have areas of Idaho where moose are declining and there are no wolves.  We have moose and elk increasing where there are wolves.   And we have moose and elk decreasing where there are wolves.  If I were to put it in human terms, if you are weak from disease or sick from an infection, you would be much easier for someone to knock off your feet and beat up right?  Same with predators taking down prey.  If a moose is weak from malnutrition, has a few parasites or diseases, it cannot defend itself as well from a wolf or predator and will become easier prey when if it was healthy it would have survived.  All that said, we believe wolves can and do have impacts in some areas on some ungulate populations.  Thanks to 100s of radio collars on elk this year we discovered that twice as many elk are killed by cougars as are killed by wolves, and as many are dying of malnutrition as are being killed by wolves.  The wolf question is important but claiming every decline is caused by wolves would be denying all the fluctuations in ungulate populations we had prior to having wolves or where we don't have wolves, and missing on the root causes of many declines.  We want to look at the entire picture including wolves but not just the impacts wolves have.  Also, we are interested in looking at the history of minerals in vegetation and soils that resulted from the Mt. Saint Helens eruption in 1980.  We are curious to see if the influx of minerals in the ash plume may have benefited ungulate populations during the 1980s and 1990s.  We might be able to see differences in these minerals over time and within the plume areas.  We are trying to keep an open mind and put more information together.  We are assuming and history shows that there are a multiple of causes that regulate and limit populations.  I hope that answers your questions.
answered 4/23/2016

Q: Turkey tags?

I drew a unit 38 turkey tag April 15-30 was the dates I believe, I harvested a bird on the 16th. Am I able to buy another turkey tag and go hunt in a general unit for another bird?

A: 

Yes, you can purchase one extra turkey tag for the spring general season hunt. You may purchase a second extra turkey tag for a fall general season hunt as well.
answered 4/23/2016

Q: Can I buy a resident controlled mule-deer-ONLY tag (e.g. Unit 18) AND a resident over-the-counter whitetail tag since these are different species?

I am considering putting in for a resident controlled deer hunt in Unit 18 this year, which is a Mule Deer Only controlled hunt. Would I still be able to purchase a resident over-the-counter Whitetail tag this year, since these are different species? The Idaho F&G Controlled Hunt regs say: Any person whose name is drawn in a controlled hunt for deer or elk is prohibited from hunting in any other hunt for the same species (archery, muzzleloader or general), except when the hunter has drawn an extra controlled hunt tag or depredation hunt, or has purchased a leftover nonresident general season tag for that species at the nonresident price. Since Whitetail and Mule Deer are separate species, would I be able to get both tags (one controlled, one over-the-counter) at resident prices? Or are you lumping Mule Deer and Whitetail deer together and treating them as a single “species”? Thank you for your help!

A: 

You cannot purchase a resident limited deer controlled hunt tag and a resident general season deer tag in the same season. However, if you draw the limited deer controlled hunt tag in unit 18 and purchase the resident deer controlled hunt tag, the only other general season deer tag you may purchase would the Res-Nonres general season deer tag, at the nonresident price provided the quota has not been sold out. The Res-Nonres general season deer tag could be the regular deer tag or the white-tail deer tag.
answered 4/21/2016

Q: Poisoning Squirrels

Is it legal to put rat poison outside for the purpose of killing squirrels in Boise?

A: 

Rat poison is very lethal and there are restrictions and guidelines for its use.  Rat poison does not only kill rats but everything that injests it including dogs, cats, squirrels, birds that eat squirrels, raccoons, skunks, deer, songbirds, and anything else that might injest the pellets.  Your best bet for killing unwanted squirrels would be to live trap them and euthanize, then properly dispose of them.  Fox squirrels are the big reddish ones found in town and they are not protected.  However, placing rat poison anywhere that is not closely monitored and restricted will lead to unwanted mortality of protected species and neighbors pets, and that is illegal.
answered 4/20/2016

Q: Spring turkey draw

When is the draw time for spring turkey for controlled hunts?

A: 

The drawing was done several weeks ago. Look up your results at the link below. Thanks Spring Turkey Drawing Results
answered 4/20/2016

Q: state record crappie out of crane creek reservoir

i want to go to crane creek and try for state record crappie . i can use all the help i can get. when should we go for crappie at crane creek? thank you.

A: 

If you are going for a big crappie, the best time will be in the spring time right before spawning. Crappie typically approach shallow water in spring to spawn when water temperatures are in the low to mid 60-degree range. Depending on the weather, that might be mid-April to late May. The best fishing in spring is usually during periods of warm stable weather. Finding crappie is the hardest part, since they can move daily and often bunch up in tight schools. Explore different types of lake structure near spawning flats such as lake points, creek channels, brush piles and ledges.  As water warms up, crappie will move up from deeper structure onto these shallow flats. Try a variety of lures, but small tube jigs tipped with scent or bait are a favorite for Idaho crappie. Rember, if you go for a Certified Weight Record, you'll need to weigh the fish on a certified scale and get a receipt. You can find complete information about the state record fish program and how to apply on the IDFG website here: https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/record Good luck!   Martin Koenig Sportfishing Program Coordinator  
answered 4/19/2016

Q: Group Controlled hunt moose

If I put in as a group and am drawn but there is only 1 tag left, does the whole group get passed up? Are my odds better to draw if I put in as an individual?

A: 

Thank you for your question. If you are part of a group application and the application is selected during the draw process but there are fewer tags remaining in the hunt you entered, the draw system will not award any tags to the group application and move on to the next application with an individual or group size equal to or less than the number of tags remaining in the hunt. You may contact us at 208-334-3700 if you have additional questions about the controlled hunt draw process.
answered 4/18/2016

Q: Unit 38

My question is unit 38 is short range weapons only and Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge Lake Lowell, Unit 38-1b, 38-1xb is all that is closed in unit 38 because it is controlled hunt only?

A: 

For general deer season in Unit 38 you can hunt the short-range weapon season and/or the archery only season.  Both the Regular Deer Tag and the White-tailed Deer Tag are available to be used in Unit 38; but make sure your tag matches the season and method, and species your are hunting.  The Regular Deer Tag can be used to harvest a mule deer or white-tailed deer in Unit 38 in the season for that tag. The White-tailed deer tag is only valid for a white-tailed deer during the season for that tag.  There is no any weapon (rifle) season for Unit 38. You are correct that the Lake Lowell section of the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is closed during the Unit 38 general deer hunts.  You can only hunt on the Lake Lowell section of the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge if you draw the antlered or antlerless controlled hunt(s) that are available for that area.  There are other portions of the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge that are not contiguous with the Lake Lowell section that are not part of the controlled hunt but would be part of the regular season hunt. In addition you should be aware that any State Park in Idaho is closed with a few exceptions.  To see these exceptions you can look them up on page 96 (left hand column) of the 2015-2016 Big Game Regulations.    Also remember that most cities/towns have a regulation against discharging a firearm within city/town limits and this usually includes bow/arrows.
answered 4/18/2016

Q: How long do bass in Southwest Idaho take to grow? What is the deal with no one keeping bass?

I am curious about a few things: 1) In southwest Idaho (Airport pond in Emmett, CJ Strike, Lake Lowell, etc) how long do small and large mouth bass take to grow? I have heard a 5lb bass is over 15 years old? 2) Why is it that everyone says to never keep bass? Does this negatively impact growth and population? Is this only in small ponds vs large reservoirs? What is the science behind this? Should people not be keeping bass to eat?

A: 

Both species of bass in most of the waters you list grow slowly. A 5 lb bass could certainly be 15 years old; however, no matter where you are talking about bass from the same year class show a range of growth rates with some growing slow, others near average, and others growing more quickly. This may be influenced by water temps, sex, feeding habits, and age at maturity. We recently estimated the ages of bass at Lake Lowell. Many bass in the 14-16 range ranged from 6-12 yrs of age.  Bass at other waters grow at a similar rate, but probably not quite as slow as Lake Lowell.   There are several reason why people encourage others not to keep bass. One is people think it is a highly-prized sportfish and they have some interest in seeing high release rates, so they have the opportunity to catch trophy individuals. A second reason is that bass have consumption advisories throughout Idaho due to mercurcy bioaccumulation. All anglers should ensure that they are following these advisories which encourage only a certain numbers of meals per time period and to selectively harvest smaller fish. Lastly, you discuss science/biology, this is a very water specific question. We estimate harvest rates through tagging studies. We see a range of harvest rates from these studies. Most of the larger water bodies (Brownlee and CJ) have moderate harvest rates (20-35%) which have shown to be sustainable and capable of providing some trophy class fish too.  Smaller ponds and reservoirs may be over-harvested if they receive intense pressure, but not all receive intense pressure.  If you have additional questions, please call the Southwest Regional Office in Nampa.    
answered 4/18/2016

Q: hunter education number

I had an hunter ed number that was my social security number. I requested and have received a new hunter education card from my issuing state that has a number instead of so. sec #. I would like to change my non-resident ID profile so my social security does not show up on every license I get form Idaho. How do I change the hunter education number from my social sec # (previous) to the new number I have now? Thanks, ad

A: 

Idaho Fish and Game issues hunter education numbers at the time of certification, and are generated from the database and are not linked to the social security number and cannot be changed.  The Idaho Fish and Game license system generates a sportsman's identification number from the database, not the social security number. However, for purchase you need to give your social security number - it is required by the State of Idaho. Your social security number will not print on the license.  
answered 4/17/2016

Q: How can I find prev. years trapping lic purcase? Was a trapping licence required in the early 80's?

With the new trapping course possibly being put on trappers I was wondering when I purchased my first trapping lic. I used to trap back in the early 80"s then joined the service but when retired I started trapping again.

A: 

Thank you for your question. Trapping licenses were required in the 1980's. Unfortunately we do not have license purchase history for the 1980's.
answered 4/17/2016

Q: Mirror Lake

Is there a public access (free) on Mirror Lake. If so, where is it located. Thanks.

A: 

Hello.  Yes, there is a public access to launch a boat on Mirror Lake.  It is located at the north end of the lake at the small resort/campground.  You'll turn off the main road about 0.5 miles before reaching the lake.  I believe there is a sign for the campground and resort.  The campground and resort are privately owned, but Idaho Fish and Game has an easement that allows for public access.  You can launch a small boat at the dirt boat ramp and then must park in one of the designated IDFG access site parking spaces. These parking spaces are clearly marked and are located just west of the resort office.  The dock is privately owned, so you cannot use it.  There is not public shoreline access to fish from, so you'll need to plan to have a small boat to fish from.  Note that only electric motors are allowed. I hope this helps and good luck fishing! Andy Dux
answered 4/15/2016

Q: Harvest Statistics for moose

Is the panahandle region going to have there stats figured out before the deadline to apply for moose

A: 

These results are now available online in full: 2015 Moose harvest statistics 2015 Sheep harvest statistics 2015 Mountain goat harvest statistics
answered 4/14/2016

Q: If I find a winter kill, am I allowed to take the skull?

Like if it's a kill from coyotes or starvation?

A: 

Yes, any naturally killed big game animal parts except big horn sheep (need to be properly pinned) may be kept, bartered, or sold.  See page 97 of the big game regulations for more details.
answered 4/14/2016

Q: Unit 55 bear

I was looking at what unit I can hunt bear in. And I seen unit 55 has a bear hunt. Kinda confused I have been all over that unit and never seen one. Or here of any one seeing one. Maybe it's a small population. Any information would be nice

A: 

Thanks for the question but it was a typo in the Big Game Seasons and Rules brochure; Unit 55 does not have any bears in it. Sorry for the confusion.
answered 4/12/2016

A: 

Thanks for the question, The short answer is no.  Years ago, the Kokanee fishery in Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir (SFCR) was integral to the fishing experience in the reservoir.  In the late 90's we started to see a decline in angler catch rates.  This decline continued to worsen over the next 5-7 years to the point where, despite stocking the same number and with the same stock of Kokanee, we saw no improvement in angler catch rates.  We didn't want to give up, but we believed the predator load (Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Northen Pike Minnow) simply ovewhelmed the stocked kokanee.  So, we doubled stocking densities (at considerable costs) for 2 years and then monitored the fishery.  No luck.  They dissappeared, and the double stocking densities ocurred at considerable cost to the anglers (license dollars). At that point, we did not see the sense in spending license dollars feeding predators in SFCR, so we discontinued the program. We have not revisited the hatchery stocking program since then, and have no reason to believe conditions have improved to where a hatchery kokanee based fishery would prosper. We wish we could make it happen, but at this point in time, the precious hatchery kokanee are being used in fisheries known to produce kokanee fishing opportunities. Please contact the region directly if you have additional questions or would like clarifications.  208-324-4359.  
answered 4/12/2016

Q: Wild turkey range

I thought I saw a wild turkey on the the river between Garden City and Eagle along the Greenbelt by Eagle Island. It was near the heron nesting area. Is that possible?

A: 

Yes, it is possible. There is a fairly healthy population of wild turkeys along the Boise River corridor from Eagle to where the Boise River joins the Snake River. It is fairly common for Fish and Game to receive sightings from the Eagle area. Occasionally, Fish and Game even receives observations from Boise.
answered 4/11/2016