IDAHO AQUACULTURE HISTORY
SIGNIFICANT DOCUMENTS
A snapshot of some important documents influencing early aquaculture establishment in Idaho
EARLY PRIVATEÂ ENTERPRISES
1883
This newspaper article, published on August 4th 1883 describes the expansion of an existing private hatchery operation on Silver Creek, in the Wood River Valley, to procure new fish species like carp and salmon.
MORE PRIVATE VENTURES
1884
This newspaper article published August 12th, 1884 describes the creation of earthen ponds for private trout culture near Ketchum, ID.
APPOINTMENT OF STATE GAME WARDEN
1899
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is established as Governor Frank Steunenberg appoints Charles H. Arbuckle to the Office of State Game Warden.Â
The Warden’s salary was $1,200 per year with a budget of $300 for operating expenses. The first State Game Warden would recommend an annual license fee to hunt and fish in Idaho, a fish hatchery system, screening of irrigation ditches, and called for the protection of song and insectivorous birds.
THE 1907 HOUSE BILL NO. 190 (P. 1 OF 4)
1907
House Bill No. 190 was introduced in the 9th Session of the Idaho Legislature on February 19, 1907, signed by the Governor March 12, 1907. This bill gave the direction and provided the resources to construct the first state fish hatchery. The various sections outline the authority and direction for the state game warden to erect a facility for the purpose of artificial propagation, rearing and distribution of fish and game bird species.
THE 1907 HOUSE BILL NO. 190 (P. 2 OF 4)
1907
The sections outlined in this page of the bill establish the land and water appropriations for the first state fish hatchery. It also defines the supervision and ability to obtain fish from various sources.
THE 1907 HOUSE BILL NO. 190 (P. 3 OF 4)
1907
The sections outlined in this page of the bill reference how the State Game Warden will report information to the governor, the ability to assess water bodies for stocking suitability, and maybe most importantly funding for the state fish hatchery.
THE 1907 HOUSE BILL NO. 190 (P. 4 OF 4)
1907
The sections outlined in this page of the bill reference the appointment of the first State Hatchery Superintendent by the State Game Warden. It also defines the pay for this individual and any hatchery assistance.
EARLIESTÂ COMMERCIAL HATCHERIES
1909
G.W. Klontz and J.G. King describe the early commercial hatcheries in the state in their 1974 publication: AQUACULTURE IN IDAHO and Nationwide. The first acknowledged commercial hatchery in the state was the Devil's Corral Spring facility near Shoshone Falls. established in 1909.
CRYSTAL SPRINGS TROUT HATCHERY
1912
This article, published in the Idaho Republican on January 19th, 1912, describes the purchase of a large plot of land near Aberdeen, ID that will be used for a commercial trout farm.
FEDERAL HATCHERY IN SALMON, ID
1921
This article, published March 18th, 1921 in The Idaho Recorder, describes a federal facility used to produce and distribute trout. This facility was transferred to the BLM in 1946.
STATE PUBLICATIONS
1928
First Idaho Fish and Game publication to aid the Idaho angler in identifying his catch.
IDFG HISTORY OF RESIDENT HATCHERY RESEARCH 1957-2011
July 2011
Research and artificial propagation are integrally bound together in the science aquaculture. This IDFG publication summarizes a more contemporary list of the extensive hatchery focused research projects taken by the department since WWII.