Fish and Game reopens Snake River
The portion of the Snake River that was closed for treatment of a quagga mussel contamination is hatched in red on this map of the surrounding area.
Photo courtesy of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission met via conference call and voted to reopen fishing, hunting and trapping Oct. 19 within the high water mark from Highway 46 Bridge upstream to and including the partial bridge structure on the Snake River at the bottom of Yingst Grade (known as “the Broken Bridge,” “Yingst Grade Bridge,” the “Old Interstate Bridge”), which is approximately one-half mile upstream of Auger Falls.
"We appreciate the public's cooperation in staying out of this section of the river while it was being treated to kill quagga mussels," Magic Valley Regional Supervisor Craig White said. "Now, we're able to reopen a section of it for hunters, anglers and trappers, but please remember the importance of cleaning, draining and drying all your boats and gear that come in contact with the water."
Lifting the hunting, fishing and trapping closure is in conjunction with Idaho State Department of Agriculture lifting its access closure into the same area. Portions of the river upstream remain closed to all public entry, as well as for hunting, fishing and trapping.
All watercraft that enter the reopened area should be taken to the wash station at Twin Falls Visitors Center for decontamination after exiting the river.
In late September, the Commission closed a portion of the Snake River to hunting, fishing and trapping after quagga mussel larvae were detected near Twin Falls on Sept. 18. The commission's closure was in conjunction with an overall closure put in place by ISDA.
Department of Agriculture, along with several other agencies, treated a section of the river with copper in early October to eliminate the mussels, and the treatment of a 6-mile section of the Snake River concluded on Oct. 13.