Idaho fishermen who fish outside three approved reservoirs We are receiving blunt instructions from State Fisheries Managers: Keep them, kill them, and eat them.
idaho fish and game They say That walleye is not suitable for most of the state’s waters. The agency manages walleye fishing at only three locations: Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir, Oneida Reservoir, and Oakley Reservoir. Outside those waters, biologists are telling fishermen to harvest any fish they catch and to never transport fish between bodies of water.
It is illegal to take a walleye in Idaho. Fish and Game says it could also harm existing fisheries, especially where walleye compete with or prey on fish species that Idaho fishermen already value.
editor’s Note: If I had to choose one fish to eat for the rest of my life, it would be walleye. Eat that fish. – R.S
Why idaho doesn’t want more walleye
Walleye is a popular fish in many places. They’re good to eat, they’re fun to catch, and they can support robust fisheries in the right waters. The concern of Idaho Fish and Game is that many of Idaho’s waters are not suitable waters.
Walleye are native to large Midwestern lakes that have abundant forage fish, including minnows, shiners, and other bait. Fish and Game says most Idaho waters don’t have the same bait base. When walleyes do not have enough bait fish, they turn to other game fish. This could put pressure on trout, kokanee, salmon, steelhead, and native fish.
Agency Said This problem is already visible in two of the three Idaho reservoirs where walleye are managed. Walleye are abundant in those waters, but many of them are small and thin because there is not enough prey available for them to grow large.
This creates a difficult management problem. Once walleyes are established, it can be difficult to get them back into balance. They are effective hunters, they breed well, and overcrowded populations can be difficult to reduce.
“We’re going to continue to try to improve some of these reservoirs where we manage walleye,” said Joe Kozfke, state fisheries manager. Said. “But if anyone wants a glimpse into a future where the population of illicitly stored wallets becomes established, this is probably what it will look like.”
Salmon and steelhead problem
Fish and Game’s bigger concern is what walleye could mean for Idaho’s salmon and steelhead waters. Walleye have long been present in the Columbia River and are moving upstream into the Snake, Clearwater and Salmon rivers, the agency said. Monitoring of the Lower Granite Dam near Lewiston has shown that even more rocks pass through the dam each year.
Walleye have also been caught in the upper part of the river like Riggins. This puts another predator in the way of juvenile salmon and steelhead.
“Salmon and steelhead did not co-evolve with these non-native predators, and salmon and steelhead may be particularly sensitive to predation,” Fish and Game anadromous fish biologist Marika Dobos. Said. “As walleye expand their range and abundance in Idaho’s rivers, more hungry ones will eat salmon, steelhead and other native species, especially young fish trying to grow big enough to move to the ocean.”
In 2025, Fish and Game asked fishermen who catch walleye in the Lower Snake, Clearwater and Salmon rivers to kill the fish, photograph and report the catch to the agency. Biologists use those reports to track where walleye are being seen, how often fishermen are catching them, and what size of fish fishermen find.
What should fishermen do?
Fish & Game’s message is simple. If you catch a walleye out of Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir, Oneida Reservoir, or Oakley Reservoir, don’t release it.
Keep it. kill him. eat it.
Fishermen should also report anyone moving fish in the water. Fish and Game says illegal stocking rarely helps fishermen and can cause long-term problems for existing fisheries.
