Press Releases and Articles
Fish salvage order issued for two southeast Idaho reservoirs
| idfg-jjackson
Idaho Fish and Game has issued a salvage order for two southeast Idaho water bodies: Lamont and Johnson Reservoirs in Franklin County. This salvage order is effective from Sept. 8 through Dec. 31, 2026.
During the salvage order timeline at Lamont and Johnson Reservoirs:
Fish may be taken by any method… more
Drought and natural food scarcity push bears into places they don’t normally go
| idfg-cliess
For most Idahoans, seeing a bear in the wild is an exciting reminder that we live in a state rich with wild charm. But seeing one up in a tree in a Nampa neighborhood, roaming a Pocatello backyard, or searching for food around homes in the Wood River Valley is a much different story.
Black bears are generally… more
Salmon Region helicopter flights treating invasive cheatgrass and noxious weeds begin Sept. 14
| idfg-tschrempp
The Salmon-Challis National Forest, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and Idaho Fish and Game, is leading the charge to prevent invasive plants from becoming established after the Hayden Fire burned over 24,000 acres of important deer and elk habitat in 2023. Treatments will help combat the spread of… more
Register now for upcoming instructor-led hunter education class in Rupert
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
For those looking to hunt in Idaho this fall and still needing their hunter education certification, the Magic Valley Region will be offering an instructor-led hunter education class in Rupert coming up in October.
Instructor-led Hunter Education CoursesAnyone born after January 1, 1975, is required to… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for September 2026 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 33,050 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in September. The stocking date and numbers of fish are approximate.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns);… more
IDFG continues working with landowners to reduce big game depredations in the Magic Valley
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Idaho Fish and Game staff in the Magic Valley Region continue to work with landowners to reduce big game depredation on agricultural crops as the growing season progresses.
Consistent use of prevention measures has helped reduce or prevent chronic depredation in some areas of the region. However, new and ongoing… more
2026 Upland Game Bird Forecast
| idfg-cliess
Co-authored by Upland Game and Migratory Gamebird Coordinator Jeff Knetter & Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess
Idaho, with one of the most rugged landscapes in the union, offers a ton of upland game bird hunting opportunities. Whether you find yourself in the high-mountain timber or the lowland-… more
New access easement opens route to public lands in Kelsaw Canyon
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Hunters and recreationists will now have access into Kelsaw Canyon in game management unit 57 this falls thanks to a partnership between Arimo Corporation, the U.S. Forest Service, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
The access provides a route into public lands in Kelsaw Canyon.
However, hunters… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for September 2026 in the Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
Fish and Game staff will be stocking over 6,500 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout at the following locations across the Clearwater Region in September!
September fish stocking schedule for the Upper Snake Region
| idfg-jbrower
Stocking Logo for the Upper Snake
IDFG removes young black bear from a Pocatello neighborhood
| idfg-jjackson
On the morning of Aug. 31, Idaho Fish and Game received a report of a young black bear in the backyard of a residence in a south valley neighborhood of Pocatello. David Dressel and Jon Dixon, both regional wildlife biologists with Fish and Game, responded to find a young bear climbing a fence and foraging on berries.… more
Statewide trout stocking highlights for September 2026
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 110,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this September. Wondering if the stocking trucks are going to be backing up to your favorite fishing hole? We asked our Fish and Game hatchery staff to boil down some of the most… more
2026 Deer and Elk Hunting Outlook
| idfg-cliess
OVERVIEWDeer and elk hunters, you know the drill.
Each year, Idaho Fish and Game brings you the annual Deer and Elk Hunting Outlook, a must-read, handy guide that lays out everything — and I mean everything — hunters need and should want to know about deer and elk trends leading up to the fall opener.
… more
What hunters need to know about CWD requirements for 2026
| idfg-cliess
Hunters in 2026 will have a mandatory testing requirement for chronic wasting disease for deer in seven hunting units, including the addition of Units 64 and 69 near Idaho Falls.
After two consecutive years of no CWD detections, Units 24 and 32A were removed from mandatory testing requirements. Testing is… more
IDFG completes elk depredation reduction effort in Big Willow drainage
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game recently completed the depredation reduction project in the Big Willow Creek drainage, located northwest of Emmett within Unit 32. The effort was undertaken to reduce a year-round, nonmigratory elk herd that has caused sustained agricultural damage on private land and was carried out in coordination… more
Rocky Point wildlife underpasses near completion, promising safer drive on US-30
| idfg-jjackson
The following is a joint press release from Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Idaho Fish and Game, and Idaho Transportation Department.
Construction of three wildlife underpasses on U.S. Highway 30 south of Montpelier will be completed this fall, improving safety for people while protecting migrating… more
Edson Fichter Nature Talks returning to Pocatello in September
| idfg-jjackson
The popular Edson Fichter Nature Talks series is returning to Pocatello for its sixth year this September. Take this opportunity to learn more about wildlife, habitats, and fossil history connected to this area through this free lecture series co-sponsored by Friends of Edson Fichter Nature Area and Idaho Fish and Game… more
Important dates to help plan your September
| idfg-cliess
From tags sales to general season openers, there’s a lot happening in Idaho during September that you should be aware of. Staying in the loop can be the difference between applying for that coveted controlled hunt tag and watching from the sidelines.
Be sure to stay up to date on all Fish and Game… more