IDAPA 13.01.11
These rules apply to people who: fish in Idaho, possess, sell or buy fish taken from Idaho waters, release fish into Idaho waters, import and transport fish in Idaho, host fishing contests, and have private ponds. Fishing activities in Idaho generally require a license/permit from the Department.
These rules regulate the take of fish from Idaho waters and other fish-related activities so that Idaho continues to have fish populations to support fishing activities in the future. These rules also manage social aspects of fishing to provide a range of opportunities and balance different angler interests and preferences.
This rule implements the following statutes passed by the Idaho Legislature:
Fish and Game Commission:
License to Hunt, Fish and Trap:
Captive Wildlife:
Protection of Fish
State Boundary Waters — Reciprocal Agreements:
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
600 S. Walnut Street
Boise, ID 83712
Phone: (208) 334-3771
Fax: (208) 334-4885
P.O. Box 25
Boise, ID 83707
Email: Rules@idfg.idaho.gov
Webpage: http://idfg.idaho.gov
This rule chapter will be reviewed in compliance with Section 67-5292, Idaho Code, and in accordance with the 8-year rule review schedule linked here.
13.01.11 – Rules Governing Fish
000. Legal Authority. ... 4
001. Scope. ... 4
002. – 009. (Reserved) ... 4
010. Definitions – Fish. ... 4
011. Definitions – Conduct Of Fishing. ... 4
012. Definitions – Gear And Watercraft. ... 4
013. Definitions – Seasons And Limits. ... 5
014. Definitions – Locations. ... 5
015. Definitions – Fishing Contests. ... 5
016. – 100. (Reserved) ... 6
101. Release Of Fish While Fishing. ... 6
102. Sturgeon. ... 6
103. (Reserved) ... 6
104. Identification Of Species And Size In Possession And During Transportation Or Shipment. ... 6
105. Purchase, Barter, Or Sale Of Fish. ... 6
106. Live Fish – Possession, Transport, Import, And Release. ... 6
107. Live Fish And Eggs – Exceptions. ... 7
108. – 199. (Reserved) ... 7
200. Fishing Methods And Gear. ... 7
201. – 344. (Reserved) ... 8
345. Fishing In Boundary Waters. ... 8
346. Fish Salvage. ... 9
347. – 399. (Reserved) ... 9
400. Anadromous Game Fish Licenses, Tags, And Permits. ... 9
401. – 402. (Reserved) ... 9
403. Permit Validation. ... 9
404. Identification Of Species In Possession And During Transportation Or Shipment. ... 9
405. Anadromous Game Fish Methods Of Take. ... 9
406. – 407. (Reserved) ... 10
408. Steelhead Purchase Report. ... 10
409. – 599. (Reserved) ... 10
600. Fishing Contests – Permit Requirement And Application. ... 10
601. Fishing Contests Permit Issuance. ... 10
602. Fishing Contests – Requirements. ... 11
603. Fishing Contest Reports. ... 11
604. – 699. (Reserved) ... 11
700. Commercial Fishing Licenses, Tags, And Applications. ... 11
701. Commercial Fishing Authorization Issuance. ... 11
702. – 749. (Reserved) ... 12
750. Release Of Non-Target Fish And Crustacea. ... 12
751. Possession And Transportation Of Live Fish Or Crustacea. ... 12
752. – 779. (Reserved) ... 12
780. Size Limits. ... 12
781. – 799. (Reserved) ... 13
800. Commercial Gear And Methods Of Take For Fish Or Crustacea. ... 13
801. Untagged Gear. ... 13
802. – 859. (Reserved) ... 13
860. Commercial Seasons. ... 13
861. – 879. (Reserved) ... 13
880. Commercial Fishing Restrictions. ... 13
881. – 899. (Reserved) ... 13
900. Commercial Fishing Inspections And Reporting Requirements. ... 13
901. – 999. (Reserved) ... 13
Sections 36-103, 36-104, 36-406A, 36-407, 36-410, 36-701, 36-706, 36-901, 36-902, 36-1001, Idaho Code. (7-1-24)
These rules govern commercial and non-commercial take, transport, and release of fish and crustacea, and fishing contests. (7-1-24)
01. Adipose Fin. Small fatty fin along the back between the dorsal fin and tail. (7-1-24)
02. Invasive Fish Species. Fish, amphibians, and crustacea designated as invasive species in IDAPA 02.06.09. (7-1-24)
03. Jack Salmon. Salmon of a length set by Commission proclamation. (7-1-24)
01. Catch-and-Release. Effort to catch fish, provided that any fish so caught is released immediately back to the water after landing and not reduced to possession. (7-1-24)
02. Commercial Fishing. Fishing or transporting fish or crayfish for the purpose of selling. (7-1-24)
03. Fly Fishing. Fishing with a fly rod, fly line, and artificial fly. (7-1-24)
04. Harvest. Reduce a fish to possession. (7-1-24)
05. Ice Fishing. Fishing through an opening broken or cut through the ice. (7-1-24)
06. Length. The length between the tip of the nose or jaw and the tip of the tail fin. (7-1-24)
07. Snagging. Taking fish by use of a hook or lure in any manner or method other than enticing or attracting a fish to strike with, and become hooked in, its mouth or jaw. (7-1-24)
08. Spearfishing. Taking of fish by a person while underwater, with the aid of a manually or mechanically propelled single- or multiple-pronged spear. (7-1-25)
09. Trolling. Taking a fish from a moving watercraft by dragging or pushing any fly, lure, bait, or hook using a motor, oars, or other forms of propulsion. (7-1-24)
10. Unattended Line. Line not under the immediate surveillance by the angler. (7-1-24)
01. Artificial Fly. Any fly made entirely of rubber, wood, metal, glass, feather, fiber, or plastic by the method known as fly tying. (7-1-24)
02. Artificial Lure. Any device made entirely of rubber, wood, metal, glass, feather, fiber, or plastic with hook or hooks attached. (7-1-24)
03. Bait. Organic substances, other than rubber, wood, feather, fiber, or plastic, attached to a hook to attract fish. Bait includes insects, insect larvae, worms, dead fish, fish parts, any other animal or vegetable matter, or scented synthetic materials. (7-1-24)
04. Barbless Hook. Hook without barbs or on which all barbs have been bent completely closed. (7-1-24)
05. Electric Motor. Watercraft propulsion system powered by electricity. (7-1-24)
06. Float Tube. Single occupant floating device not to exceed six (6) feet in any dimension that is not
propelled by oars, paddles, or motors. (7-1-24)
07. Hook. Bent wire device, for the catching of fish, to which one (1), two (2), or three (3) points may be attached to a single shank. (7-1-24)
08. Motor. Watercraft propulsion system powered by electricity or combustion of fuel. (7-1-24)
09. Single-Point Hook. Bent wire device, for catching fish, with one (1) shank and one (1) point. (7-1-24)
10. Sliding Sinker. Method of attaching a sinker to a device that slides freely on the main line. (7-1-24)
11. Watercraft. Device designed as a means of transportation on water. (7-1-24)
01. General Fishing Season. Season, bag limits, and possession as determined by proclamation on a regional basis. (7-1-24)
02. Season Limit. Maximum number of fish that may be lawfully harvested in any declared season. (7-1-24)
03. Special Rule Waters. Any water with a gear, motor, watercraft restriction, season, bag limits, or possession adopted by proclamation and different from the general fishing season. (7-1-24)
01. Confluence. Location where two (2) rivers or streams join. (7-1-24)
02. Diversion. Man-made structure designed to divert water. (7-1-24)
03. Diversion Pond. Man-made basin holding diverted water, including basins connected by an open ditch or pipe. (7-1-24)
04. Drainage. All water flowing into a common river or stream system, either above or below ground, due to area geography. (7-1-24)
05. Fish Trap. Any man-made structure designed to capture fish. (7-1-24)
06. Fish Weir. Any man-made structure placed in a water body to delay or divert migrating fish. (7-1-24)
07. Mouth. Place where a river or stream enters a larger body of water. (7-1-24)
08. Reservoir. Portion of a dammed waterbody in which there is no observable direction of flow. Unless noted otherwise, a stream flowing through the drawdown portion of a reservoir is not considered part of the reservoir. (7-1-24)
09. Section. An area of a river, stream, or reservoir between specific boundary locations. (7-1-24)
10. Tributary. A stream flowing into a larger water. (7-1-24)
11. Upstream. Moving from a lower elevation towards a higher elevation point in the same stream. (7-1-24)
01. Fishing Contest. Any organized fishing event that: (7-1-24) a. Has a live-fish weigh-in; or (7-1-24) b. Awards cash or prizes of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more based on number, size, or species of fish captured; or (7-1-24) c. Is expected to draw or have more than twenty (20) participants. (7-1-24) 02. Catch-and-Release Contest. Any fishing contest with specific procedures to keep target fish species alive and healthy and to release all fish caught back into the contest water on the same day. (7-1-24) 03. Harvest Contest. Any fishing contest that allows participants to harvest fish. (7-1-24)
016. – 100. (RESERVED)
101. RELEASE OF FISH WHILE FISHING.
Any fish caught that is unlawful to possess must be immediately released back to the water. (7-1-24)
102. STURGEON.
No person may remove a sturgeon that is unlawful to possess from the water. (7-1-24)
01. Barbed Hook Restrictions. No person may fish for sturgeon with barbed hooks. (7-1-24)
02. Sinker for Sturgeon. When fishing for sturgeon, a person must use a sliding sinker and lighter test line to attach the weight to the main line (the line attached to the reel). (7-1-24)
103. (RESERVED)
104. IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES AND SIZE IN POSSESSION AND DURING TRANSPORTATION OR SHIPMENT.
01. Restrictions. No person may have in the field or in transit any trout, tiger muskie, or bass from which the head or tail has been removed unless: (7-1-24)
a. The angler is ashore and done fishing for the day; (7-1-24) b. The fish is processed or packaged with the skin naturally attached to the flesh; (7-1-24) c. The fish is processed or packaged in a manner that the number of fish harvested can be readily determined; and (7-1-24) d. The processed fish is not transported by watercraft. (7-1-24)
02. Transport or Gift. No person may transport for another or accept as a gift any game fish, unless a statement signed by taker accompanies the fish, showing the number and kinds, the date taken, the taker's name, address, and fishing license number. No person may claim ownership of more fish than allowed by the possession limit. (7-1-24)
105. PURCHASE, BARTER, OR SALE OF FISH.
No person may purchase, barter, or sell the edible flesh of fish, crayfish, or bullfrog harvested from the wild, except as provided in Section 36-501, Idaho Code, and Title 36, Chapter 8, Idaho Code, and these rules promulgated. (7-1-24)
106. LIVE FISH – POSSESSION, TRANSPORT, IMPORT, AND RELEASE.
01. Permit. No person may possess, transport, import, or release any live fish, crayfish, or bullfrog, or viable eggs thereof, without having first obtained a permit from the Department or the Department of Agriculture. (7-1-24)
02. Marking Fish. No person may mark live fish by any means, including removing fins or injuring, without first obtaining a Scientific Collecting Permit from the Department. (7-1-24)
03. Import Inspection and Examination Requirements. The Department may require a disease-free certification for live fish import or transport, as evidenced by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection by a licensed veterinarian, (b) CFR Title 50 certification, (c) American Fisheries Society certified fish health inspector's certification, or (d) other certification by the Department of Agriculture. (7-1-24)
04. Unpermitted Fish Species Released. Any fish unauthorized for import, possession, transport or release that is released by a person or escapes from that person's control must be captured or destroyed by that person, and may be captured or destroyed by the Department at the person's expense. (7-1-24)
No permit is required to: (7-1-24)
01. Fish. Keep fish that can legally be reduced to possession (except for anadromous game fish), alive and in possession in a live well, while on the body of water from which they were taken. (7-1-24)
02. Crayfish. Possess and transport live crayfish for personal consumption that are not designated as invasive species in IDAPA 02.06.09. (7-1-24)
03. Private Ponds or Commercial Fish Facility. Possess fish from a private pond or commercial fish facility when accompanied by sales receipt and written permission from the Department, as provided in Title 36, Chapter 7, Idaho Code or from the Department of Agriculture as provided in Title 22, Chapter 46, Idaho Code. (7-1-24)
04. Fish Eggs. Possess, sell, purchase or transport nonviable fish eggs used for bait or personal consumption. (7-1-24)
01. General Restrictions. Unless modified by rule (such as exceptions in the following subsections), order, or proclamation, it is unlawful to: (7-1-24)
a. Fish in any waters of Idaho with more than one (1) handline or pole with a line attached, unless in possession of a valid two-pole permit. (7-1-24)
b. Leave an unattended line. (7-1-24)
c. Have more than five (5) hooks attached per line. (7-1-24)
d. Use more than five (5) lines while ice fishing. (7-1-24)
e. Fish by archery, spearfishing, snagging, hands, trapping, seining, or netting. (7-1-24)
f. Use live fish, leeches, frogs, salamanders, waterdogs, or shrimp as bait. (7-1-24)
g. Land any fish with a gaff hook. (7-1-24)
h. Molest any fish by shooting at it with a firearm or pellet gun, striking at it with a club, hands, rocks, or other objects, building obstructions for catching fish, or chasing fish up or downstream in any manner. (7-1-24)
i. Fish from a watercraft with a motor attached in waters listed in proclamation as “no motors.” (7-1-24)
a. Unprotected fish may be taken by use of snagging, bow and arrow, crossbow, spear or mechanical device, excluding firearms, provided there is an open season for game fish. (7-1-25)
b. Game fish may be taken by spearfishing as authorized by Commission proclamation. (7-1-25)
03. Gaff Hook Exceptions. The use of a gaff hook is permitted while ice fishing in waters which have no length restrictions or harvest closures for that species, or when landing unprotected fish species taken with archery equipment. (7-1-24)
04. Trapping and Seining Exceptions. It is lawful to take unprotected fish, crayfish, and yellow perch with a minnow net, seine, or up to five (5) traps, unless there is an open season for game fish, and provided the following conditions are met: (7-1-24)
a. The seine or net does not exceed ten (10) feet in length or width, and the seine has three-eighths (3/8) inch square or smaller mesh; and the minnow or crayfish trap does not exceed two (2) feet in length, width or height. If the trap is of irregular dimension, but its volume does not exceed the volume of an eight (8) cubic foot trap, it is lawful to use. (7-1-24)
b. Nets and seines are not left unattended. (7-1-24)
c. Traps are checked at least every forty-eight (48) hours. (7-1-24)
d. All game fish and protected nongame fish incidentally captured while trapping or seining are immediately released alive. (7-1-24)
e. All traps have a tag attached bearing the owner's name and address, license number, or sportsman identification number. (7-1-24)
05. Use of Bait Exceptions. Live crayfish and bullfrog may be used for bait if caught on the body of water being fished. (7-1-24)
06. Use of Hands Exceptions. Bullfrog and crayfish may be taken with the hands. (7-1-24)
07. Fishing Shelters. Any enclosure or shelter left unattended overnight on the ice of any waters of the state shall have the owner's name, telephone numbers, and current address, or sportsman identification number legibly marked on two (2) opposing sides of the enclosure or shelter. (7-1-24)
01. Bear Lake. The holder of a valid Idaho or Utah fishing license may fish all of Bear Lake, subject to the rules or regulations of the state in which they are fishing, including any closure. (7-1-24)
02. Limit for One License Only. Any angler who fishes on the Snake River or any other water forming an Idaho boundary is entitled to have in possession only the limit allowed by one (1) license regardless of the number of licenses they may possess. (7-1-24)
No person may salvage fish from public waters without specific authorization of the Department. Authorization for salvage may allow holders of valid fishing licenses to harvest fish without regard to usual possession limits and may allow snagging, spearing, archery, dipnet, seines, or with the hands. (7-1-24)
01. Licenses. Any person fishing for anadromous game fish, except those expressly exempt, must have in possession a valid fishing license. (7-1-24)
02. Permits. No person may fish for, or reduce to possession, anadromous game fish without a valid permit in possession for the targeted species. Permits are only valid for the specified river sections and species, as well as mark types (adipose clipped or unclipped) as set by Commission proclamation. Permits may either be paper copies or electronic permits which anglers will determine at time of purchase. Electronic permits require use of the Department’s official mobile app. (7-1-24)
a. Salmon Permit. Allows for fishing, retention, and possession of Chinook or Coho salmon as authorized by Commission proclamation. (7-1-24)
b. Steelhead Permit. Allows for fishing, retention, and possession of steelhead as authorized by Commission proclamation. (7-1-24)
For each anadromous game fish hooked, landed, and reduced to possession, the angler hooking the fish must immediately validate their salmon or steelhead permit with the appropriate species, month, day, and river location code (listed by Commission proclamation). Paper validation requires entering in permanent ink. Electronic validation requires submission via the Department’s official mobile app. (7-1-24)
01. Provisions for Processing and Transporting Anadromous Game Fish. All processing and transportation provisions and restrictions from IDAPA 13.01.11.104 are applicable to anadromous game fish. In addition: (7-1-24)
a. The processed and packaged fish must include a portion with a healed, clipped, adipose fin scar or adipose fin. (7-1-24)
b. No jack salmon may be processed while in the field or in transit. (7-1-24)
c. Each processed anadromous game fish counts towards an angler’s possession limit while in the field or in transit. (7-1-24)
In addition to take restrictions for all game fish, the following apply to anadromous game fish: (7-1-24)
01. Hooks. Anadromous game fish may be taken only with barbless hooks in the Salmon, Clearwater, and Snake River drainages downstream of Hells Canyon Dam. (7-1-24)
02. Retention. Any anadromous game fish caught must be released or, provided it is legal to possess, killed immediately. (7-1-24)
03. Cease Fishing. Once an angler has attained their bag, possession or season limit on those waters
with anadromous game fish limits, they must cease fishing for anadromous game fish, including catch-and-release fishing. (7-1-24)
04. Adipose Fin. Only anadromous game fish with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept during an open season. Retention of unclipped anadromous game fishes may be authorized by Commission proclamation. (7-1-24)
05. Fish Counted in Limit. Each fish that is hooked, landed, and reduced to possession counts towards the limit of the person hooking the fish. (7-1-24)
406. – 407. (RESERVED)
408. STEELHEAD PURCHASE REPORT.
01. Filing Purchase Report. Any person holding a wholesale or retail steelhead trout buyer's license must report all sales and purchases of steelhead on a form provided by the Department on or before December 31 of each year. (7-1-24)
02. Inaccurate Reporting. Failure to provide complete and accurate information on the report or failure to file the report on time are grounds for revocation of the wholesale or retail license. (7-1-24)
409. – 599. (RESERVED)
600. FISHING CONTESTS – PERMIT REQUIREMENT AND APPLICATION.
01. Permit Requirement. No person or other entity may conduct a fishing contest without having first obtained a fishing contest permit from the Department. Events organized wholly for youth under the age of fourteen (14) do not require a fishing contest permit. (7-1-24)
02. Permit Application. Application for fishing contest permits must be made using a form provided by the Department. (7-1-24)
601. FISHING CONTESTS PERMIT ISSUANCE.
01. General. The issuance of a fishing permit is at the Department's discretion. Among the factors the Department will consider are: (7-1-24)
a. Effects of the contest on fish populations. (7-1-24) b. Compatibility of the contest with fish population management and fishery goals. (7-1-24) c. Potential conflict with other recreational users or other permitted contests. (7-1-24) d. Previous compliance with submitting fishing contest reports. (7-1-24)
02. Limit on Contest. The Department will not issue a permit for a harvest contest for wild native trout or sturgeon in rivers or streams. (7-1-24)
03. Conditions. The Department has discretion to specify conditions in the permit to minimize adverse effects on fish populations, management programs and goals, other recreational users, or other permitted contests, including: (7-1-24)
a. The time of start and check-in; (7-1-24) b. Limitations on the contest area; (7-1-24) c. Handling protocols and the method and location of release of fish; (7-1-24)
d. More restrictive bag or size limits than would otherwise apply. (7-1-24) e. Allowing overland transport of live fish to facilitate fish redistribution within the contest area. (7-1-24) f. Requiring mandatory kill of fish species deemed incompatible with water body management objectives. (7-1-24)
602. FISHING CONTESTS – REQUIREMENTS.
01. Rules. Any fishing contest participant must comply with seasons, limits, and rules pertaining to the taking of fish and any additional conditions of the fishing contest permit. For special rule waters, the Department may authorize seasons, limits, and rules exemptions. (7-1-24)
02. Culling. No fishing contest participant may release back to the water (cull) any fish that is not capable of swimming free. (7-1-24)
603. FISHING CONTEST REPORTS.
Each fishing contest sponsor shall, within thirty (30) days after the last day of a fishing contest, submit a report to the Fisheries Bureau at the Department's main office using the form provided by the Department. (7-1-24)
604. – 699. (RESERVED)
700. COMMERCIAL FISHING LICENSES, TAGS, AND APPLICATIONS.
01. Commercial Fishing Licenses Requirements. No person shall set, operate, or fish with commercial gear unless they possess a valid commercial fishing license or are assisting in the presence of a licensee. (7-1-24)
a. Commercial Fishing Species. The holder of a valid commercial fishing license may engage in commercial fishing for Bullfrog, Crayfish, or unprotected species from the Minnow or Sucker families. (7-1-24)
b. Commercial Fishing Locations. Commercial harvest is allowed only in the Snake River and its main stem impoundments from Hells Canyon Dam upstream to the confluence of the North and South Forks, Palisades Reservoir, Lake Lowell, Black Canyon Reservoir, Blackfoot Reservoir, and the Bear River and its main stem impoundments from Utah state line upstream to and including Alexander Reservoir. (7-1-24)
02. Commercial Fishing License Application. Application for a commercial fishing license may occur using a form provided by the Department. Should the license be approved, or conditionally approved, commercial fishing may occur after licenses and tags are secured. (7-1-24)
03. Commercial Gear Tags. No person may set, operate, lift, or fish commercial gear unless such gear has attached thereto a valid commercial gear tag from the Department, except that no tag needs to be attached to conventional rod and reel fishing tackle used for commercial fishing. (7-1-24)
701. COMMERCIAL FISHING AUTHORIZATION ISSUANCE.
01. General. The Department may consider commercial fishing operations not listed in IDAPA 13.01.11.700.01 by special authorization. The issuance of a special authorization is at the Department's discretion. Such authorizations will be valid for a period not to exceed one (1) year. Among the factors the department will consider are: (7-1-24)
a. Impacts of commercial fishing on fish or wildlife populations. (7-1-24) b. Post-release mortality of non-target species. (7-1-24)
c. Compatibility of commercial fishing with fish population management and fishery goals. (7-1-24) d. Potential conflict with other recreational users or commercial fishing activities. (7-1-24) e. Transmission of invasive species. (7-1-24) f. Compliance with reporting requirements. (7-1-24)
02. Commercial Fishing Conditions. The Department has discretion to specify conditions to minimize adverse effects on fish or wildlife populations, management programs and goals, other recreational users, or other licensees, including: (7-1-24)
a. Limitations of fishing seasons and times. (7-1-24) b. Limitations on fishing areas. (7-1-24) c. Limitations on gear type, specifications, and quantity. (7-1-24) d. Handling protocols, as well as methods and locations for release of non-target fish. (7-1-24) e. Maximum allowable catch. (7-1-24)
03. Revocation of Commercial Licenses and Special Authorizations. The Department is authorized to suspend, for a period not to exceed one (1) year, or revoke entirely, any commercial license or authorization for violation of Title 36, Idaho Code by the licensee or persons acting under the licensee's direction and control. (7-1-24)
702. – 749. (RESERVED)
750. RELEASE OF NON-TARGET FISH AND CRUSTACEA.
Any person capturing with commercial gear any species of fish or crustacea not a commercial species or listed on a special permit shall immediately release it unharmed back to the water. (7-1-24)
01. Female Crayfish. Any person capturing any female crayfish carrying eggs or young shall release it unharmed back to the water at the time the crayfish are sorted. (7-1-24)
751. POSSESSION AND TRANSPORTATION OF LIVE FISH OR CRUSTACEA.
01. Live Fish. No person may transport live fish without Department authorization. (7-1-24)
02. Live Crustacea. Commercial fishers may possess and transport live commercial species of crustacea between the water areas where harvested and the point of sale or holding. Live crustacea may be held only in the waters where harvested, in ponds for which a private pond permit listing crustacea has been issued or in licensed commercial facilities. (7-1-24)
752. – 779. (RESERVED)
780. SIZE LIMITS.
01. Fish. Commercial fish species of any size may be taken commercially. (7-1-24)
02. Crayfish. (7-1-24)
a. Only crayfish three and five-eighths (3 5/8) inches or greater in length from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, measured in a straight line ventral side up, may be taken commercially. (7-1-24)
b. Crayfish shall be sorted, and any undersized crayfish returned to the water at the place of capture immediately following the emptying of any single trap or a trap line. However, an allowable sorting error percentage
of undersized crayfish, not to exceed five percent (5%), is allowed in any load or lot. The percentage of undersized crayfish will be the mean of combined counts of samples measured and counted from various portions of the load or lot. Samples will be taken in containers of not less than one (1) gallon size approximately full of crayfish, with at least three (3) such samples taken from any load or lot. (7-1-24)
No person may commercially harvest fish or crustacea except as follows: (7-1-24)
01. Seine Nets. Seine net mesh size may not exceed one and one half (1 1/2) inch bar measurement and under constant attendance by the licensee or someone working under the supervision of the licensee; or if being used to hold fish, clearly marked with buoys that are at least twelve (12) inches in diameter. (7-1-24)
02. Traps. With a trap not exceeding three (3) feet in any dimension, and provided all traps are lifted and emptied of catch at least once every ninety-six (96) hours, except during periods of weather that pose a threat to human life, health, or safety. (7-1-24)
03. By Hand. For crayfish only. (7-1-24)
Untagged gear, or unattended seine nets, or traps left unattended more than ninety-six (96) hours are considered unlawful or abandoned and may be confiscated by Department personnel. (7-1-24)
01. Commercial Fish. Year-round. (7-1-24)
02. Commercial Crustacea. April 1 through October 31 of each year. (7-1-24)
01. Operation Limitations. No commercial gear may be set, operated, or lifted within one hundred (100) yards of any public boat ramp or dock. (7-1-24)
02. Storage Limitation. No commercial gear, watercraft, or other equipment or materials used in conjunction with a commercial fishing operation may be stored or left unattended at any public fishing access area in any manner that restricts angling or angler access. (7-1-24)
01. Inspections. Department personnel may inspect: (7-1-24)
a. Commercial gear at any time the gear is being used. (7-1-24)
b. Catches and catch records at any time. (7-1-24)
02. Reporting Requirements. All licensees shall submit a monthly report on a form prescribed by the Department, with all requested information including daily landings and effort, such that it is received by the Department not later than the fifteenth day of the month following the fishing activities. (7-1-24)