Idaho river access laws

[MackayGuy]

I really did try to stay out of this discussion, but I also feel I need to give a bit of the landowners perspective. A lot of what has been said here is absolutely correct. I agree with and abide by the law which allows access to and the use of the public waterways. I also pay taxes on the ground under the water. Yes, in the past myself and all my neighbors were very open about allowing access to the river through our properties.....some asked, some did not. Yes, there were some incidents of property abuse and distruction, but it was few and far between. Now there is much more public pressure on these resources, so the incidents have increased to the point of 'enough is enough'. I watched the majority of landowners in my area start posting no trespassing signs and locking gates. I held out till about a year ago then did the same. I got tired of repeated trespassing and property distruction by folks, who when confronted about the situation proudly quoted their rights to use my property to access what ever they wanted. Gets real old real fast. If your name is on the deed and you help pay the taxes then you have rights on my property. I have no issue with people who use pubic access to gain access to the waterways and I would never challenge anyone who abides by the laws. It seems like no one even has enough respect to ask permission anymore, they just have their interpretation of the law in their head and think they have rights. Government employees who use your property to access public lands are the worst because they think their position grants them power over your property rights. Yes, there are some property owners who think they own it all and can refuse waterway access to those who are legal and within the law. They're just b-holes.
[signature]