Small Streams, October 18th, 2022

Let’s take look at an Idaho Department of Fish and Game action that establishes more locations for fishing.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDF&G) ACCESS YES program reveals a tremendous effort to acquire legal trespass on private property for anglers and hunters alike. Several dozen properties around the state are in the program with many in eastern Idaho. There are several ACCESS YES properties allowing access to fishing waters in eastern Idaho. Some of these are “off the beaten path,” while others are on well-known waters.

Finding these is relatively easy. Go to the IDF&G’s ACCESS YES website section and open the Search Properties Guide.  Not only is the participating properties list in the Guide, but also locations, restrictions, travel directions, and, where permission to trespass is required, owner contact information. Also present for each is a map showing location and extent of each property.

You will see that currently there are properties on such area waters as the Blackfoot River, Camas Creek, Dan Creek, the Henry’s Fork, Teton River, Willow Creek and Henry’s Lake. If you visit any of these, accept restrictions given, livestock and structures. Help keeping these in a natural or undamaged state by minimizing your impact, and by picking up to remove any trash. The IDF&G is working to increase the number of participation properties and having a minimum impact on the already participating properties will help in bringing on new ones and in extending the tenure of those already on board.