Idaho Admin. Code r. 24.35.01.259
For the express purpose of safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of the public, for the conservation of wildlife and range resources, and to enable the outfitted and non-outfitted public to enjoy the recreational value of Idaho's rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs and other natural resources, the Board has discretion to limit the number of outfitters licensed on waters that lie totally or partially within the State of Idaho. Pursuant to Section 36-2107(e), Idaho Code, the Board may cooperate with federal and state government to evaluate relevant factors in decisions related to setting outfitter licensure limits on navigable waterways. The following rivers and streams or sections that lie totally or partially within the state of Idaho are open to commercial boating operations by outfitters and guides.
River/Section | Maximum No. Power | Maximum No. Float |
(BL1) Blackfoot River - Blackfoot Reservoir/Government Dam to Trail Creek Bridge. For each license/permit issued, no more than two (2) boats per section/per day may be used by any outfitter at any one time in each of the following river sections: a) Blackfoot Reservoir/Government Dam to Sage Hen Flats/Cutthroat Campground b) Sage Hen Flats/Cutthroat Campground to Morgan Bridge c) Morgan Bridge to Trail Creek Bridge No outfitter may have more than six (6) boats on the BL1 in any one (1) day. OGLB licenses are for the entire BL1 segment; a section of BL1 cannot be separated from BL1 for the purposes of selling a portion of an outfitter's business. | none | 2 |
(BO1) Boise River, South Fork - Danskin Bridge to the Neal Bridge EXCEPT on weekends or holidays. Each outfitter may use only one (1) boat for fishing only with a maximum of two (2) fisherman. No overnight camping or walk-and-wade fishing allowed. | none | 2 |
(BO1A) Boise River - Eckert Road Bridge to Main Street Bridge. | none | |
(BO1B) Boise River - Main Street Bridge to West side of Garden City limits. | none | |
(BO2) Boise River - Downstream from the west side of the Garden City municipal limits to the east side of the Caldwell municipal limits. A maximum of two (2) outfitters may be licensed for fishing in addition to float boating. Each outfitter may use at any time a maximum of four (4) boats for boating activities. The Board may approve adjustments of these boat limitations to accommodate canoeing or kayaking activities that are part of an outfitters operating plan. | none | 4 |
(CF1) Clark Fork River - Entire river upstream of a straight line extending north of county boat dock (near mouth of Johnson Creek) to Bear Paw Point (southwest tip of Denton Slough). Each outfitter may use at any one time a maximum of two (2) boats prior to the Friday preceding Memorial Day of each year, there is no limit thereafter. | 2 outfitters for either power or float or combination thereof | |
(CF2) Clark Fork River - Entire river upstream of a straight line extending north of county boat dock (near mouth of Johnson Creek) to Bear Paw Point (southwest tip of Denton Slough) (boating limited to the Friday preceding Memorial Day through December 31) | 2 outfitters for either power or float or combination thereof | |
(CL1) Clearwater River - Lowell to the Lower Bridge at Kooskia. Each outfitter may use at any one time a maximum of (a) three (3) boats for fishing, and (b) five (5) boats for other boating activities. Fishing may not be conducted downstream from the Upper Bridge at Kooskia by CL1 outfitters. The Board may approve adjustments of these boat limitations to accommodate canoeing or kayaking activities that are part of an outfitter's operating plan. | none | 5 |
(CL2) Clearwater River - The Upper Bridge at Kooskia to the Orofino Bridge. Each outfitter may use at any one time a maximum of (a) three (3) boats for fishing, and (b) five (5) boats for other boating activities. The Board may approve adjustments of these boat limitations to accommodate canoeing or kayaking activities that are part of an outfitter's operating plan. | 6 | 10 |
(CL3) Clearwater River - The Orofino Bridge to the mouth of the Clearwater River with the Snake River at Lewiston. Each outfitter may use at any one time a maximum of (a) three (3) boats for fishing, and (b) five (5) boats for other boating activities. The Board may approve adjustments of these boat limitations to accommodate canoeing or kayaking activities that are part of an outfitters operating plan. | 10 | 10 |
* (NFCL) North Fork Clearwater River - Kelly Forks Bridge downstream to backwaters of Dworshak Reservoir | none | 4 |
(CDNF) Headwaters of North Fork Coeur d'Alene- Including tributaries (Independence and Tee Pee Creeks) upstream from Devils Elbow Campground. Three (3) walk and wade only licenses. Up to four (4) clients on the river at one time per license. | none | none |
(CD1) Coeur d'Alene River - Devil's Elbow to South Fork confluence. Fishing limit is two (2) float boats per license with a maximum of two (2) clients at a time per boat. Two (2) additional walk and wade licenses can be issued. Walk and wade limited to a maximum of two (2) clients at a time per license. | none | 1 |
(CD2) Coeur d'Alene River - South Fork confluence downstream to Cataldo Mission Boat Ramp. Fishing limit is one (1) float boat per license with a maximum of two (2) clients or two walk and wade clients per license at a time. Walk and wade activities do not have to be initiated from a float boat. | none | 1 |
(CD3) Lateral (Coeur d'Alene chain) Lakes - Connected by the Coeur d'Alene River. Cataldo Mission Boat Ramp to Highway 97 Bridge. A limit of one (1) power boat per license with a maximum of two (2) clients at a time or a limit of one (1) guide per license and two (2) float tubes at a time or two (2) clients walking and wading. The walk and wade activities must be associated with the power boating. | 3 | none |
* (JB1) Jarbidge/Bruneau Rivers | none | 4 |
(KO1) Kootenai River - Montana state line to Canada boundary | 5 | 5 |
(LCL1) Little North Fork Clearwater River - Mouth of Canyon Creek to first bridge on the Little North Fork Clearwater River. Fishing only. Each outfitter may use only two (2) boats per day with a maximum of two (2) fishermen per boat. | none | 2 |
* (LO1) Lochsa River | none | 5 |
(MO1) Moyie River - Canada boundary to Bonners Ferry Municipal Dam (boating closing date July 20) | none | 5 |
* (OW1) Owyhee River - Nevada state line to Oregon state line or South Fork to confluence with Owyhee River and continuing on to a take-out point. | none | 6 |
(PN1) Payette River, North Fork - Payette Lakes Outlet to Hartsell Bridge. Four (4) boat or ten (10) canoe limit per trip, and only two (2) trips per day per outfitter. | none | 2 |
(PN1A) Payette River, North Fork - Cascade City Park, 1/4 mile south of Cascade on Highway 55 to Cabarton. Restrictions: Catch and release for TROUT ONLY, other species F & G rules apply. No stopping by commercial groups from 1/4 mile above to 1/4 mile below heron nesting trees. Four (4) boat or ten (10) canoe limit per trip, and only two (2) trips per day per outfitter. | none | 2 |
(PN2) Payette River, North Fork - Cabarton to Smiths Ferry Bridge | none | 5 |
(PS1) Payette River, South Fork - Grandjean to Deadwood River | none | 5 |
* (PS2) Payette River, South Fork - Deadwood River to Banks | none | 5 |
(PA1) Payette River - Banks to Black Canyon Dam | none | 5 |
(PO1) Pend Oreille River | 5 | 5 |
(PR1) Priest River - Dickensheet Campground to Priest River City | none | 2 |
River/Section | Maximum No. Power | Maximum No. Float |
*##(MF1) Salmon River, Middle Fork - Boundary Creek to Cache Bar on the Salmon River | none | 27 |
(SA1) Salmon River - First bridge across Salmon River above Redfish Lake Creek to Torrey's Bar | none | 6 |
(SA2) Salmon River - Torrey's Bar to first Highway 93 bridge above Challis. Each outfitter may use at any one time a maximum of (a) three (3) boats for fishing, and (b) five (5) boats for other boating activities. The Board may approve adjustments of these boat limitations to accommodate canoeing or kayaking activities that are a part of an outfitter's operating plan. | none | 5 |
(SA3) Salmon River - First Highway 93 bridge above Challis to Kilpatrick River access. Each outfitter may use at any one time a maximum of (a) three (3) boats for fishing, and (b) five (5) boats for other boating activities. The Board may approve adjustments of these boat limitations to accommodate canoeing or kayaking activities that are a part of an outfitter's operating plan. | none | 6 |
(SA4A) Salmon River - Kilpatrick River access to North Fork - License period from May 1 to September 30. Each outfitter may use at any one time a maximum of (a) three (3) boats for fishing and (b) five (5) boats for other boating activities. The Board may approve adjustments of these boat limitations to accommodate canoeing or kayaking activities that are part of an outfitter's operating plan. | 5 | 11 |
(SA4B) Salmon River - Kilpatrick River access to North Fork - License period from October 1 to April 30. Each power boat outfitter may use at any one time a maximum of one (1) boat and each float boat outfitter may use at any one time a maximum of three (3) boats. | 2 | 8 |
(SA5) Salmon River - North Fork to Corn Creek | 3 | 9 |
*##(SA6) Salmon River - Corn Creek to Spring Bar Boat Ramp with no outfitter fishing below Vinegar Creek from September 15 through March 31 except that on a case-by-case basis, outfitter fishing may occur when permitted by the BLM and with the notification to and concurrence of the Board Executive Officer. | 14 | 31 |
* (SA7A) Salmon River - Vinegar Creek to Hammer Creek - License period from March 15 to October 15. No power boating is allowed from the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10:30 a.m./Mountain Time to 5:00 p.m./Mountain Time daily between the Riggins City Boat Dock and Lucile. | 10 | 26 |
* (SA7B) Salmon River - Power boats from Vinegar Creek to Spring Bar Boat Ramp and float boats from Vinegar Creek to Island Bar Boat Ramp, open from September 15 to March 31 only. Each float boat outfitter may use at any one time a maximum of three (3) boats for fishing, or two (2) additional boats for fishing when permitted by the BLM and with the notification to and concurrence of the Board Executive Officer; and each power boat outfitter may use at any one time a maximum of two (2) boats for fishing, or one (1) additional boat for fishing when permitted by the BLM and with the notification to and concurrence of the Board Executive Officer. | 6 | 12 |
* (SA7C) Salmon River - Riggins City Park Boat Ramp to Hammer Creek. Three (3) designated outfitters may utilize float boats to fish from the Riggins City Boat Dock to Hammer Creek during the period from September 15 to March 31. | none | 3 |
*##(SA8) Salmon River - Hammer Creek to Heller Bar or Lewiston on the Snake River | 15 | 35 |
* (SE1) Selway River - Paradise Campground to Selway Falls | none | 4 |
(SE2) Selway River - Selway Falls to the mouth of the Selway River at Lowell. Each outfitter may use at any one time a maximum of (a) three (3) boats for fishing, and (b) five (5) boats for other boating activities. The Board may approve adjustments to these boat limitations to accommodate canoeing or kayaking activities that are part of an outfitter's operating plan. | none | 5 |
River/Section | Maximum No. Power | Maximum No. Float |
(SH1) Snake River, Henry's Fork - Henry's Lake Outlet to Hatchery Ford. (Each outfitter may use at any one time a maximum of (a) eight (8) boats for fishing No more than three (3) of these boats may be used at any one time on any of the following river reaches: Henry's Lake Outlet to Island Park Dam, Island Park Dam to Last Chance, Last Chance to Osborn Bridge, and Osborn Bridge to Hatchery Ford), and (b) five (5) boats for other boating activities. The Board may approve adjustments to these boat limitations to accommodate canoeing or kayaking activities that are part of an outfitter's operating plan. | none | 7 |
(SH2) Snake River, Henry's Fork - Mesa Falls to St. Anthony. Each outfitter may use at any one time a maximum of (a) eight (8) boats for fishing, no more than three (3) of these boats may be used at any one time on any one of the following river reaches: Mesa Falls to Stone Bridge, Stone Bridge to Ashton Dam, and Ashton Dam to Chester Dam, and Chester Dam to St. Anthony, and (b) five (5) boats for other boating activities. The Board may approve adjustments of these boat limitations to accommodate canoeing or kayaking activities that are part of an outfitter's operating plan. | none | 8 |
(SH3) Snake River, Henry's Fork - No more than three (3) boats for fishing may be used by an outfitter at any one (1) time in each of the following river sections: a) St. Anthony to Red Road Bridge Boat Access (i.e., Parker/Salem or Fort Henry) b) Red Road Bridge Boat Access to Warm Slough Boat Access c) Warm Slough Boat Access to Menan Boat Access No outfitter may have more than six (6) boats on the SH3 in any one (1) day. When permitted by the BLM and with the notification to and concurrence of the Board Executive Officer, each outfitter may be allowed adjustments to the maximum boat limits in order to accommodate non-fishing boating activities (e.g., canoeing, paddle boards, and kayaks) and hazardous excursions that are part of an outfitter's operating plan. These adjustments must be reviewed and approved annually. OGLB licenses are for the entire SH3 segment; a section of SH3 cannot be separated from SH3 for the purposes of selling a portion of an outfitter's business. | none | 4 |
(SS1) Snake River - South Fork - No more than four (4) boats per section/per day may be used by an outfitter at any one (1) time in each of the following river sections: a) Palisades Dam Boat Access to the Spring Creek Boat Access (Swan Valley Bridge) or Conant Boat Access. Exception: Not more than eight boats would be permitted between Spring Creek Boat Access and Conant Boat Access to allow for the flexibility to launch/take-out boats. b) Spring Creek or Conant Boat Access to Fullmer Boat Access. Exception: Not more than eight (8) boats would be permitted in Section (b) on the same day, provided that no more than four (4) of said boats are in this Section after 11:00 a.m. due to overnight use at designated outfitter camps. c) Fullmer Boat Access to Byington Boat Access. d) Byington Boat Access to Lorenzo Boat Access. e) Lorenzo Boat Access to Menan Boat Access. Additionally, no outfitter may have more than twelve (12) boats on the SS1 in any one day. A one-time per year exception after July 15 may be granted from Conant Boat Access to Byington Boat Access that would allow two (2) additional boats per section to accommodate large client groups. During this one-time exception, if the two (2) additional boats do not accommodate the large client group, additional boats must come from slots allocated to other outfitters. The maximum daily boat limit for SS1 may not be exceeded. This would require written concurrence from the BLM/USFS and the Board Executive Officer. Float boats may use motors (5HP or less) for downstream steerage only within the entire SS1 reach. Downstream steerage would not include holding or upstream travel of watercraft with a motor. OGLB licenses are for the entire SS1 segment; a section of SS1 cannot be separated from SS1 for the purposes of selling a portion of an outfitter's business. | None* | 8** |
* Each licensed float boat outfitter may use one (1) supply boat (float or power) that does not carry clients. During periods of preparing overnight camps (i.e., setting up tents and portable toilet facilities, boating in grills and other cooking supplies) for the season, usually May or June of each year; and removing the same items listed above from overnight camps at the end of the season, usually October or November; multiple supply boats may be used. * * One (1) license additional for waterfowl hunting covering both BLM and USFS managed lands and waters for the South Fork (Palisades Dam to Wolf Flats Boat Access may be issued. This license opportunity is in addition to the eight (8) float licenses and is limited to providing waterfowl hunting during waterfowl hunting season as defined by Idaho Fish and Game Rules and where no more than two (2) float or power boat boats per day per section a and b only can be used by the outfitter at any one time for that purpose. Fishing may not be provided or conducted unless the outfitter is also licensed and permitted as one (1) of the eight (8) outfitters addressed in this rule who may not provide hunting activities. This business opportunity may be sold separately. | ||
(SN1) Snake River - For each license/permit issued, no more than four (4) boats per section/per day may be used by an outfitter at any one time in each of the following river sections: a) Menan Boat Access to Mike Walker Boat Access (includes Federally managed lands). b) Mike Walker Boat Access to Gem State Power Plant (includes non-Federal lands). Float boats may use motors (5HP or less) for downstream steerage only within the entire SS1 reach. Downstream steerage would not include holding or upstream travel of watercraft with a motor. OGLB licenses are for the entire SN1 segment; a section of SN1 cannot be separated from SN1 for the purposes of selling a portion of an outfitter's business. | 3 outfitters either float or power or combination thereof | |
(SN2) Snake River - Gem State Power Plant. Idaho Falls, downstream to headwaters of American Falls Reservoir. For each license/permit issued, no more than four (4) boats per section/per day may be used by any outfitter at any one time in each of the following river sections: a) Gem State Power Plant to Shelley/Firth b) Shelley/Firth to Porterville c) Porterville to Blackfoot (Boating limited, walk-wade if there is access) d) Blackfoot to Tilden Bridge e) Tilden Bridge to the headwaters of American Falls Reservoir No outfitter may have more than twelve (12) boats on the SN2 in any one day. OGLB licenses are for the entire SN2 segment; a section of SN2 cannot be separated from SN2 for the purposes of selling a portion of an outfitter's business. | 3 outfitters either float or power or combination thereof | |
(SN3) Snake River - American Falls Dam to Massacre Rocks State Park. For each license/permit issued, no more than five (5) boats per section/per day may be used by any outfitter at any one time in each of the following river sections: a) American Falls Dam to Pipeline (includes federally and non-federally managed lands) b) Pipeline to Vista (includes federally and non-federally managed lands) c) Vista to Eagle Rock (includes non-federally managed lands) d) Eagle Rock to Massacre Rocks (includes non-federally managed lands) No outfitter may have more than ten (10) boats on the SN3 in any one day. Float boats may use motors (5HP or less) for downstream steerage only. Downstream steerage does not include holding or upstream travel of watercraft with a motor. Sturgeon Fishing: Pipeline to Massacre Rocks, no more than five (5) boats per section/per day may be used by any outfitter at any one time in each of the river sections between Pipeline to Massacre Rocks. American Falls Dam to Pipeline, one (1) boat within this section/two (2) weekdays per week/two (2) weekend days per month. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Southeast Region (Pocatello) needs to be notified prior to Sturgeon Fishing. OGLB licenses are for the entire SN3 segment; a section of SN3 cannot be separated from SN3 for the purposes of selling a portion of an outfitter's business. | 3 outfitters either float or power or combination thereof | |
(SN4) Snake River - Massacre Rocks State Park to Milner Dam | 3 | 3 |
* (SN5) Snake River - Milner Dam to Star Falls | none | 3 |
* (SN6) Snake River - Star Falls to Twin Falls | none | 5 |
(SN7) Snake River - Twin Falls to Lower Salmon Falls Dam | 3 | 3 |
(SN8) Snake River - Lower Salmon Falls Dam to Bliss Dam | 3 | 5 |
(SN9) Snake River - Bliss Dam to headwaters of C.J. Strike Reservoir | 5 | 5 |
(SN10) Snake River - C.J. Strike Dam to Walter's Ferry | 5 outfitters for either power or float or combination thereof | |
(SN11) Snake River - Walter's Ferry to headwaters of Brownlee Reservoir | 5 | none |
* (SN12) Snake River - Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing | 18 | 15 |
* (SN13) Snake River - Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing, two (2) one-day float trips only | none | 2 |
(SN14) Snake River - Pittsburg Landing to Heller Bar or Lewiston | 19 | 15 |
(SN15) Snake River - Washington/Oregon state line to Lewiston | Limitations pending. (This section is set aside for future rules of fishing only outfitters.) | |
(SJ1) St. Joe River - St. Joe River Headwaters to Red Ives. No outfitted boating. One (1) walk and wade only fishing outfitter. | none 2 | none |
(SJ2) St. Joe River - Red Ives to Avery. In addition to one (1) float boat license, three (3) walk and wade only outfitters. No fishing from float boats, boat clients may fish via walk and wade. | none | 1 |
(SJ3) St. Joe River - Avery to St. Joe City Bridge | none | 2 |
(SJ4) St. Joe River - St. Joe City Bridge to Lake Coeur d'Alene | 2 | none |
(SM1) St. Maries River | 5 | 5 |
(TE1) Teton River - Upper put-in to Cache Bridge, motors not to exceed 10 hp | 5 outfitters for either power or float or combination thereof | |
(TE2) Teton River - Cache Bridge to Harrop Bridge, motors not to exceed 10 hp | 6 outfitters for either power or float or combination thereof | |
(TE3) Teton River - No more than two (2) boats per section/per day may be used by an outfitter at any one time in each of the following river sections: a), b), d), e) and f). No more than four (4) boats per section/per day may be used by an outfitter at any one time on river section c) and where two (2) boats from same outfitter must be spaced at three-hour (3) intervals: a) Harrop Bridge Boat Access to Felt Dam Boat Access. b) Felt Dam Boat Access to Spring Hollow Boat Access. c) Spring Hollow Boat Access to Teton Dam Site Boat Access. d) Teton Dam Site Boat Access to Hog Hollow Bridge Boat Access. e) Hog Hollow Bridge Boat Access to Teton Highway. f) Teton Highway to confluence with the Henry's Fork of the Snake River. Note: No boat access exists at the confluence with the Henry's Fork of the Snake River. Outfitters would utilize Hibbard Bridge or Warm Slough Access on SH3. No fishing on SH3. No outfitter may have more than eight (8) boats on the TE3 in any one day. Float boats may use motors not to exceed 10 hp in section a) (Harrop Bridge to Felt Dam Access) only. Float boats may use motors (5HP or less) for downstream steerage only in sections d), e) and f). Motors are not allowed in other sections. Downstream steerage does not include holding or upstream travel of watercraft with a motor. OGLB licenses are for the entire TE3 segment; a section of TE3 cannot be separated from TE3 for the purposes of selling a portion of an outfitter's business. | none | 5 |
* Classified rivers
## Floatboat and powerboat outfitters on these sections are considered within their area of operations when hiking from the river or fishing in tributaries away from the river but does not include overnight activities. Conflicts with land-based outfitters will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Lake or Reservoir | Maximum No. of Operators | Maximum No. Boats per Operator per Lake or Reservoir |
Lake Coeur d'Alene | 8 | 1 |
Dworshak Reservoir | 7 | 2 |
Henry's Lake | 8 | 2 |
Island Park Reservoir | 7 | 2 |
Magic Reservoir | 3 | 2 |
Palisades Reservoir | 10 | 2 |
Lake Pend Oreille | 11 | 1 |
Priest Lake | 5 | 1 |
American Falls Reservoir | 3 | 2 |
C.J. Strike Reservoir | 4 | 2 |
Brownlee Reservoir | 5 | 2 |
Oxbow Reservoir | 3 | 2 |
Hells Canyon Reservoir | 3 | 2 |
Idaho Admin. Code r. 24.35.01.259