Idaho Fishing Regulations will stay the same in 2010

The Idaho Fish and Game will use the same regulations in 2010 that were used in 2009. You can download the regulations here. This means that for most Idaho streams and rivers, fishing will open on May 29, 2010 (Memorial Day weekend). The Blackfoot River in Idaho will open July 1, 2010 to protect the spawning cutthroats.

Upper Snake River Reservoir Status

Currently reservoirs on the Upper Snake River are holding 76% of their capacity. So far this is the best news for water this coming year, but only for tailwater fishing. The storms over the last week have increased snow pack in Southeastern Idaho but we are still in need of significant snow over the next two months for normal water flow in rivers and streams.

Here's the graph, which does not include any information on the Blackfoot Reservoir on the Blackfoot River:

Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Fishery Plan

Back in 2007 the Idaho Fish and Game developed a plan for the management and conservation of Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Of specific note,the Blackfoot River had 4,747 fish run upriver to spawn in 2001. In 2005 and 2006 there were 20 spawners each year. The pelican situation definitely does not help - their population has doubled since 2001. 2009 seemed a better year as the fish size and quantity of larger fish was higher in the upper Blackfoot River, but the river has a long way to go to get back to the peak runs in the 50's (10-15,000). Cutthroat trout populations have been impacted in many other streams and rivers in Eastern Idaho.

Make sure to carry a net with you to land and release larger cutthroat trout as soon as possible to help prevent mortality rates!

The entire management plan can be found at the Idaho Fish and Game site here: Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout.

Blackfoot River Water Outlook

Here is the current precipitation information for Somsen Ranch measuring station which is fairly representative of the Blackfoot River drainage:

SOMSEN RANCH SNOTEL Data Report - Daily Readings

Basin: Blackfoot (HUC 17040207)    Elevation: 6800.00

(As of: Thu Jan 21 12:58:54 PST 2010)

Date	Time (PST)	Snow Water Equivalent (inches)	Snow Depth (inches)	Year-to-Date Precipitation (inches)	Current Temp (degrees F)	Previous Day's Temp (degrees F)
						Max	Min	Avg
01/15/2010	0000	3.8	19.0	6.7	18.7	32.4	17.6	27.3
01/16/2010	0000	3.8	19.0	6.7	23.9	38.1	8.8	22.8
01/17/2010	0000	3.8	19.0	6.7	30.9	42.4	18.1	29.8
01/18/2010	0000	3.8	19.0	6.7	29.1	43.9	18.7	29.1
01/19/2010	0000	4.0	20.0	6.9	32.5	35.2	25.7	30.2
01/20/2010	0000	4.3	23.0	7.1	19.9	35.8	18.5	28.8
01/21/2010	0000	4.3	23.0	7.1	21.7	33.3	17.2	24.3
Date	Time (PST)	Snow Water Equivalent (inches)	Snow Depth (inches)	Year-to-Date Precipitation (inches)	Current Temp (degrees F)	Max	Min	Avg
						Previous Day's Temp (degrees F)

Current Snow Water Equivalent for Southeast Idaho

More bad news for Southeast Idaho Fishing this coming year: snow water equivalent is extremely low. Snow water equivalent is essential for good spring runoff and long term water conditions. Without a much higher snow water equivalent, Southeastern Idaho streams and rivers are going to suffer this summer as will the fly fishing. The Blackfoot River drainage is only at 45% which is not a good sign for summer fishing. Hopefully the next three months can bring a significant increase in snow pack.

Here is the current snow water equivalent information (courtesy of Idaho Snow Survey):

Basin	Snow Water Equivalent Percent of Average
LITTLE LOST, BIRCH BASINS	71%
MEDICINE LODGE, BEAVER, CAMAS BASINS	56%
HENRYS FORK, TETON BASINS	57%
SNAKE BASIN ABOVE PALISADES	54%
WILLOW, BLACKFOOT, PORTNEUF BASINS	45%
SNAKE BASIN ABOVE AMERICAN FALLS	54%
BEAR RIVER BASIN	48%

Legend:

<70%

70-90%

91-110%

111-130%

>130%

More Bull Trout protections coming for Idaho streams and rivers

It looks like that Bull Trout in Idaho may get some additional protection which will be a huge step in protecting Idaho's trout species. Bull trout habitat preservation will benefit other native fish: steelhead, salmon, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout. Any habitat protection is great for Idaho Fly Fishing.

"In another reversal of Bush administration Endangered Species Act policy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to expand habitat protections for the bull trout, a fish that stands in the way of logging, mining and grazing on federal lands.The agency Wednesday formally proposed designating 23,000 miles of streams and 533,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Nevada as critical habitat."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010781395_aporbulltrouthabitat.html?syndication=rss

Stump Creek Idaho - Sunset

Here's a picture of the sun setting on Stump Creek in Eastern Idaho. Stump peak is in the distant background.

Idaho Water Conditions for Spring

So far this winter has been a major disappointment in regards to precipitation and snow pack. If something doesn't turn around soon, there will be little runoff and water flow will be really low. This is especially bad news for the Blackfoot River which needs significant snow pack and runoff to help the spawning cutthroat. Without a strong water flow the larger trout won't hold in the river making fishing on the upper Blackfoot questionable at best.

Here are the current precipitation totals for Eastern and Southeastern Idaho (credit to the Idaho Snow Survey):

As of THURSDAY: JANUARY 14 , 2010

Basin	Year-to-Date Precipitation Percent of Average
HENRYS FORK, TETON BASINS	66%
SNAKE BASIN ABOVE PALISADES	63%
WILLOW, BLACKFOOT, PORTNEUF BASINS	61%
SNAKE BASIN ABOVE AMERICAN FALLS	64%
BEAR RIVER BASIN	62%

Legend:

<70%

70-90%

91-110%

111-130%

>130%