BOISE, Idaho — As you prepare to head out to the lake or river to catch some fish, Idaho Fish and Game is reminding anglers that it is illegal to transport live fish without a permit.
Spring is a great time to harvest one of a number of fish species in Idaho. While most anglers know the bag limits, some might be unaware you can't catch and keep live fish.
Live wells, minnow buckets, and coolers can be a source of trouble for anglers who aren’t aware of the rules about moving live fish.
Idaho Fish and Game offers these tips about transporting live fish:
Fish must be killed or released before leaving: Using your boat’s live well, a bucket, cooler or other containers to store live fish while on the water, is legal. However, transporting live fish away from the lake, reservoir, or other bodies of water when you leave is illegal. If you plan to take fish home, you must kill them first.
Fish that don’t meet the minimum length or are not in season or otherwise cannot be possessed and cannot be kept in a live well.
