IF&G has long focused on Henry's Fork and the South Fork of the Snake River with its fish management. But recently, more focus has been centered on the main channel of the Snake in SE Idaho.
IF&G has been electro-fishing the river near Osgood, in attempts to find out how many fish are there. This is the first survey they've taken in that locale, and because that portion of the river is under-utilized, they want to know numbers before they make management plans.
Turns out there's some pretty big fish there too. The above photo shows IF&G Biologist Greg Schoby showing off one of his catches - a 31", approximately 15 lb., brown trout.
But there's always other interests in mind in the process of making management plans. The area around Osgood is an important agricultural section of the state. Busch's Clydesdale mural reminds us of that every time we pass by. That malt barley grows so well because it's irrigated. Which means irrigation districts have a strong interest in what the IF&G has planned.
But for the time being, it appears that Idaho Irrigation District is welcoming of IF&G's studies of that section of the river. Hopefully, a we-can-all-work-together attitude is maintained.
One thing is for certain, this picture will spur more fisherman to be on that section of the river this coming year.
More here.
~ J. Bunch
