Idaho Opens Monthlong Fish Salvage in Dozens of Eastern Idaho Irrigation Canals

Idaho Fish and Game has issued a fish salvage order for irrigation canals in its Upper Snake and Southeast regions, running from Oct. 30 through Nov. 30, EastIdahoNews.com reports.

As the canals are shut off and drained for winter, thousands of fish can get stranded. The order lets licensed anglers keep fish that would otherwise die. Bag, possession and size limits are suspended, but a valid Idaho fishing license is still required.

Most methods are fair game, but firearms, explosives, chemicals and electric current are not, and fish can't be moved alive from where they're caught. Anglers need landowner permission where a canal crosses private land. Sturgeon can't be kept under any circumstances; release them alive right away and report the catch to the nearest Fish and Game office.

The order covers about three dozen Upper Snake canals, including the Egin, Fall River, Rexburg Irrigation and St. Anthony, plus Southeast Region canals such as Aberdeen Springfield, Blackfoot and Snake River Valley. The full list is in the source story.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: EastIdahoNews.com: Fish salvage order in effect for many east Idaho canals (Oct. 30, 2026).