Report tagged fish to Fish and Game

Whether fishing at an urban pond, a wild river or an alpine lake, the next fish on the line might have an orange tag, and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game needs help reporting them.

Fishery biologists attach orange-colored “t-bar anchor tags” to various species throughout the state to learn more about them. When anglers report tagged fish, biologists can learn how many fish in a specific area or population are caught by anglers.

“We’ve had some fish get caught the same day after we tagged them, while some fish might not get caught and reported until years later,” research biologist Kevin Meyer said.

Tags can also describe fish migrations and are used to compare survival and catch rates of hatchery-raised fish. Each reported tag provides valuable information about angler catch, survival and abundance of certain species, which helps biologists manage fish populations for better fishing.

“Tags are a crucial component of our research and management, aimed at making fishing better for Idaho’s anglers,” Meyer said.

How to report a tagged fish

Each tag is labeled with a unique number that identifies the fish and how to report it online. If the tag is not a reward tag, either remove it from the fish or leave it and release the fish for the next angler to report another catch.

To leave the tag, record the tag number or take a clear picture. To clip the tag, use scissors or clippers to avoid yanking it out of the fish. Report the tag online at tag.idaho.gov or call 866-258-0338.

How to redeem a reward tag

Some fish have reward tags and carry a reward value of $25, $50, $100 or $200. Anglers will see REWARD printed on the tag and a dollar amount.

Reward tags must be removed from the fish, as detailed above, and sent to the research office in Nampa at Fish Tag Returns, 1414 E. Locust Lane, Nampa, ID 83686.

Sara Cassinelli is an IDFG digital content strategist.