Fish up for grabs amid salvage order at 2 eastern Idaho reservoirs
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PRESTON – A salvage order is in effect for Lamont and Johnson Reservoirs in Franklin County.
Idaho Fish and Game made the announcement in a Thursday afternoon news release. The salvage order is in effect from Sept. 8 through Dec. 31.
The Consolidated Irrigation Company in Preston, which offers a range of services and products to optimize water usage and enhance crop yield, is draining the reservoirs to serve irrigation needs. Amid a statewide drought, the reservoirs’ water levels are decreasing rapidly and are anticipated to be fully drained by Sept. 20. Fish will not survive when water levels in the reservoirs become unsuitable.
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“An order of salvage is warranted to maximize public use of these fish,” Fish and Game says in the news release.
Any dead fish are up for grabs during this time and bag, possession, size, and other restrictions are suspended. A valid Idaho fishing license is still required and live fish cannot be removed. The removal of dead fish through firearms, explosives, chemicals, or electric current is not allowed.
“Watercraft use is limited to fishing vessels only. All watercraft must have been inspected for aquatic invasive species within the previous five days by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and present proof of their recent inspection in their vehicle window or upon request,” says Fish and Game officials.
A separate salvage order went into effect for Winder Reservoir, also in Franklin County, last month. It expires on October 31.
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The reservoirs will begin filling again on Jan. 1, 2027.
Call the Fish and Game’s Southeast Regional Office in Pocatello for more information. The number is (208) 232-4703.