Fisheries Management Plan 2019-2024 A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Idaho’s Fisheries Resources This document was adopted by the IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME COMMISSION June 2019 Recommended Citation: Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). 2019. Fisheries Management Plan 2019 – 2024. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise, USA. Cover Photo: Kokanee spawning, underwater photo. CCBY Idaho Fish and Game. Additional copies: Additional copies can be downloaded from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website at: idfg.idaho.gov/fish/plan Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) adheres to all applicable state and federal laws and regulations related to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, gender, disability or veteran’s status. If you feel you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility of IDFG, or if you desire further information, please write to: Idaho Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Federal Assistance, Mailstop: MBSP-4020, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203, Telephone: (703) 358-2156. This publication will be made available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for assistance. Costs associated with this publication are available from IDFG in accordance with Section 60-202, Idaho Code. Fisheries Management Plan 2019-2024, Printed 8/23/2019/ PCA 31804. MKJ Idaho Department of Fish & Game iii Acknowledgments CARSON WATKINS WITH A NORTHERN PIKE WHILE DOING NET SURVEYS IN THE PANHANDLE REGION. CCBY ROGER PHILLIPS FOR IDFG DFG wishes to thank the many dedicated Iemployees of the Fisheries Bureau statewide who participated in developing this document. Additionally, we are thankful for the contributions made by the bureaus of Communication, Wildlife, Enforcement, and Administration. This management plan would not have been possible without their hard work. In addition, we acknowledge and appreciate the support of the Environmental Staff Biologists and the Directors Office staff in protecting fisheries habitat. We appreciate the direction and support provided by the Director and the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. Finally, we thank all those anglers who buy fishing licenses and support Department management programs, those who fill out and returned the angler opinion survey, and the many folks and entities that provided comments on this JAMIE CARPENTER FROM THE NAMPA FISH HATCHERY RELEASES TROUT INTO management plan. A POND CCBY ROGER PHILLIPS FOR IDFG iv Idaho Department of Fish & Game Table of Contents Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................................................i Suggested Citation ..................................................................................................................................................i Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................................................ii List of Tables ..........................................................................................................................................................vii List of Figures ...................................................................................................................................................... viii Fisheries Management Plan 2019-2024 ............................................................................................................ 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................. 1 How To Use This Document ................................................................................................................................. 1 Part 1—Statewide Management ...........................................................................................................................2 Funding of Programs .........................................................................................................................2 Accomplishments from 2013-2018 .................................................................................................2 Idaho Fish Species ..............................................................................................................................2 Fishing Economics in Idaho ........................................................................................................... 12 Fisheries Management in Idaho .................................................................................................... 13 The Idaho Department of Fish and Game Mission ................................................................... 14 Our Vision .......................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Our Core Values ................................................................................................................................ 14 Public Service .................................................................................................................................................................. 14 Science ............................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Sustainability .................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Ecosystem Management ............................................................................................................................................. 14 Credibility .......................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Statewide Fisheries Management Principles ............................................................................. 15 Management......................................................................................................................................................................15 Public Involvement .........................................................................................................................................................15 Rules .....................................................................................................................................................................................15 Access ..................................................................................................................................................................................15 Importations and Introductions .................................................................................................................................16 Cooperation with other Agencies .............................................................................................................................16 Idaho Department of Fish & Game v Table of Contents cont. Native American Tribes .................................................................................................................................................16 Outfitting and Guiding ..................................................................................................................................................16 Habitat Restoration and Protection .........................................................................................................................17 Mitigation ............................................................................................................................................................................17 Statewide Fisheries Programs ....................................................................................................... 18 Resident Fisheries Management ................................................................................................... 19 Idaho’s Native Fish and Fisheries ..............................................................................................................................19 Native Trout and Salmon ..............................................................................................................................................19 Cutthroat Trout ................................................................................................................................................................21 Redband Trout ..................................................................................................................................................................21 Bull Trout ...........................................................................................................................................................................23 Mountain Whitefish ........................................................................................................................................................24 White Sturgeon (Snake and Kootenai Rivers) ....................................................................................................24 Non-native Sport Fish...................................................................................................................................................29