The South Fork Snake River is one of the last major conservation strongholds for Idaho’s state fish – the cutthroat trout — but they are losing ground and only occupy 34% of their historical range in the lower Snake River drainage. Anglers willing to harvest rainbow trout can help change this trajectory.
Anglers can turn in the heads of legally harvested rainbow trout and hybrids from the South Fork Snake River for a chance to win cash. If your rainbow trout or hybrids have a tag, you win.
This program was created at the request of anglers so they could contribute to cutthroat trout conservation and manage the threats from rainbow trout by increasing harvest.
Each year, about 1,000 rainbow and hybrid trout are tagged and released back into the river. The microscopic tags (called “coded wire”) are placed safely in the snout of the fish and can be worth between $50 to $1,000 per fish. There is no limit to how many you can harvest or how much money you can win.
Turn in Your Catch Two Ways:
- Bring in the rainbow and hybrid trout heads to the Fish and Game regional office in Idaho Falls, during regular business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Winners will be notified and will receive money by mail. If anglers prefer to watch live as Fish and Game staff scan their fish for tags, bring fish heads to the office on the first Friday of each month during the live scan event.
- Turn in rainbow and hybrid trout heads to freezers set up at Conant and Byington boat ramps (May through September only). Anglers are advised to fill out a contact form, available at these locations, so Fish and Game can notify winners by phone and send their money by mail.
South Fork Snake River Daily Bag Limits
- Yellowstone cutthroat trout – zero or no harvest allowed.
- Brown trout – limit of two per day.
- Rainbow trout and Hybrids – no daily bag limit.
For additional information, visit the South Fork Harvest Incentive web page.