Fishing In Idaho

Otter spars with feds over control of Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge | The ...

BOISE, Idaho — State water law takes precedence over wildlife habitat at the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge where federal officials are proposing changes that would limit some longtime recreational uses to protect wildlife, Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter says.

"As a Bureau of Reclamation project, preservation of wildlife habitat is secondary to the water rights owned by irrigators," Otter wrote in a letter to refuge manager Jennifer Brown-Scott dated July 29.

"What's more, State water law supersedes wildlife habitat at Deer Flat Refuge — particularly in the Lake Lowell unit — and the Board of Control of Reclamation manage the appropriation and distribution of the water for the benefit of the surrounding area."

Otter also said the responsibility and jurisdiction to manage wildlife belong to the state.

"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must recognize that all Idaho wildlife is the property of the State of Idaho ... and must not create a competing management regime," he wrote in the letter obtained by The Spokesman-Review.

Refuge officials say the area is governed by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, which doesn't allow unfettered recreation at the expense of wildlife.

The 9,000-acre Lake Lowell in southwest Idaho is one of the largest off-stream reservoirs in the American West, built between 1906 and 1909 to capture water from a diversion dam on the Boise River to help local farmers transform the desert surrounding Nampa and Caldwell into an agricultural heartland.

President Theodore Roosevelt in 1909 added it to the nation's list of national wildlife refuges. Besides conserving wildlife, the refuges are also managed, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for six wildlife-dependent recreational uses. Those uses are hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education and interpretation.

Currently, a number of alternatives have been proposed and are being considered for allowed activities on the lake. Local leaders say the only acceptable alternative is one that leaves things as they are now. Otter said the same thing in his letter.

"The State of Idaho strongly prefers that the existing management strategy at the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge remain in place," he wrote.

But refuge managers said that's not a viable alternative. Their preferred alternative allows personal watercraft, water skiing and motorized boating on about a third of the lake. Dog-walking, horseback riding and most bicycle use — currently allowed — would be banned.

Idaho Travel Information: hiking, skiing, biking, golf, fishing ...

In Idaho, majestic mountains compete for attention with turquoise blue lakes. Farmland is found just outside major city limits. And all across the state you can find ways to have fun: hiking, skiing, biking, golf, fishing, and boating.

Boise is the capital of Idaho. When visiting the capital, make sure to see the marble statue of Nike of Samothrace. The statue was a gift from France to the United States after the end of World War II. Visitors should also look for the bronze and black stone statue of the head of Terry Shadduck. Visitors are also amazed at the detail in the Golden Statue of George Washington carved from white pine.

If it is skiing you like, then the Bogus Basin is for you. This area is less than an hour drive from Boise. Bogus Basin has been a favorite since 1942. They offer traditional cross country skiing or, for the adventurous, snowboarding and snow tubing. Since this area does get a traditional winter with lots of snow, it is great for skiing.

Idaho is blessed with a variety of lakes. Two of the better known lakes are Lake Coeur d’Alene and Redfish Lake. Lake Coeur d’Alene is located in northern Idaho and is well known as an international resort destination offering a number of hotels and resorts with beautiful lakefront accommodations; dining options featuring five star meals and lakeside views; world class golf courses and spas; and a variety of activities such as fishing, parasailing and seaplane rides. Redfish Lake, located in Central Idaho in the Sawtooth Recreational Area, gets its name from the sockeye salmon that migrated there. Visitors here can take guided fly fishing trips, or just do some fly fishing or spin casting on their own.

Another stunning sight in Idaho is Shoshone Falls, along the Snake River. The falls are 212 feet high, which makes them higher than Niagara Falls. They are often called the “Niagara Falls of the West.” The best time to view the falls is in the spring and summer, after the snow melt.

Still, others love to head to the Palouse region. The area is great for hiking and biking across the silt dunes. The area is known for its wheat and legumes production. Fascinating tours of these farms can be arranged. The Palouse grasslands have been largely destroyed, but what remains of them is fascinating.

Hikers and bikers can sign up for fully-outfitted trips where organizers take care of all the details. Or, for a small fee, they can stay in yurts provided by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. The yurts contain everything needed for cooking meals, so all you need to bring is sleeping bags, food and water.

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