ID Fishing Without a License — Penalties, Fines & Creel Limits (2026)

Idaho fishing penalties: $75–$1,000. Citizens Against Poaching (800) 632-5999. Steelhead 3/season, trout 6 daily.

Fishing without a valid ID fishing license carries IDFG conservation officer penalties.

ViolationFine RangeNotes
No fishing license$75 – $1,000Per offense
No salmon/steelhead permit$75 – $500Required for anadromous species
Over creel limit$100 – $1,000 per fishPer-fish penalty
Snagging$200 – $1,000Illegal method — serious offense

Key Creel Limits

SpeciesDaily LimitNotes
Trout (general)6Varies by water — some C&R only
Steelhead3 per seasonHatchery only — check river quotas
Chinook salmon2-6River-specific — strict quotas
Bass (smallmouth/large)6No min size many waters
Kokanee15-25Lake-dependent — generous limits

Call Citizens Against Poaching: (800) 632-5999 — cash rewards.

The ID fishing license is $35.50 total. Get yours. See costs.

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