Press Releases and Articles
IDFG reminds sportsmen and women to secure attractants in Unit 1 to prevent bear conflicts
| idfg-cliess
A reminder that hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists on Idaho state endowment lands are required to securely store food, garbage, and other attractants to help prevent conflicts between the Panhandle Region’s people and bears, including grizzly bears.
All overnight visitors (including lessees) on Idaho… more
Careful…that may not be the trophy bull you think it is
| idfg-cliess
You pull the binoculars up to your eyes and, lo and behold, that blurry brown object just off the side of the road appears to be a moose. And not just any moose — a very respectable bull. Or so it seems.
Taking a shot on that suspiciously still bull might seem tempting, but it could also be a very costly mistake… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (10-21-2026)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River (USR) steelhead fishing report for October 20, 2026, and the data discussed in this report were collected from October 14 through October 18.
Angler effort and catch both began to increase slightly last week, especially over the weekend. Angler effort remained below… more
Late fall and winter can be productive for stream fishing
| idfg-cliess
Folks may witness an angler wading out into a stream during frigid weather and wonder "what the heck are they doing?"
The short answer? Probably catching fish.
Late-fall and winter fishing are often overlooked on Idaho's rivers and streams because many people don't want to deal… more
IDFG closes steelhead harvest in the Clearwater River basin due to low returns
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game is closing all steelhead harvest in the Clearwater River basin, effective at the end of fishing hours on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Anglers will still be able to fish for steelhead in the Clearwater River basin under catch-and-release regulations, but harvest of steelhead will be closed for the remainder… more
Portion of Fort Boise WMA to close on Oct. 20 for aerial herbicide application
| idfg-tarchibald
On Oct. 20, the Gold Island segment of the Fort Boise Wildlife Management Area will be closed to public access for an aerial herbicide application.
Herbicides will target cheatgrass, whitetop, and Russian knapweed in an effort to improve wildlife habitat and lower wildfire risk.
Though the plan is to… more
Bear River produces new Idaho catch-and-release state record brown trout
| idfg-mkoenig
This summer’s hot streak of record fish continues to churn out some impressive catches. Congratulations to Benjamin Smith of Thatcher, Idaho, who made fishing history on Aug. 28 when he caught a new Idaho catch-and-release state record brown trout from the Bear River in Franklin County.
Smith’s 31-inch trout… more
What will steelhead fishing look like on the Boise River this fall?
| idfg-cliess
With the 2026 fall steelhead return shaping up to be one of the lowest returns on record, this fall’s outlook has not been promising. In mid-September, Fish and Game reduced statewide steelhead bag limits as a conservation measure to reduce impacts to natural-origin spawners and ensure hatchery broodstock objectives… more
IDFG seeks public comment on proposed rules for electronic tagging, CWD management
| idfg-scassinelli
Idaho Fish and Game is accepting public comment on proposed rules that would explore expanding electronic tagging to certain game birds and allow the department to manage Chronic Wasting Disease zones by individual game management unit. The comment period runs through Oct. 28.
Department staff… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (10-14-2026)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the first weekly Upper Salmon River (USR) steelhead fishing report for the fall 2026 season.
IDFG began interviewing steelhead anglers along the Upper Salmon River last Thursday, October 8. Angler effort was low throughout the week, with most anglers observed in river location code 15… more
Helicopter herbicide treatments and seeding to begin Oct. 25 in portion of Unit 76
| idfg-tatwood
Low-level helicopter flights will apply herbicide and seed to designated areas near Mahogany Ridge and Bear Lake in Game Management Unit 76 starting Oct. 25 through Oct. 31, weather and wind conditions permitting.
The Bureau of Land Management, in partnership with Idaho Fish and Game, will reseed private and… more
Upcoming trapper and wolf trapper education courses in Salmon
| idfg-tschrempp
Interested in trapping? Trapper and wolf trapper education courses will be held in Salmon this November. Register now to reserve your spot.
Not sure which courses you need? Idaho Fish and Game has got the answers to your questions.
Trapper Education Course
Trapper education covers… more
Hunters must sign up in advance for Winchester Lake waterfowl hunting
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game and Winchester Lake State Park are offering another year of limited waterfowl hunting at Winchester Lake. The opportunity provides additional waterfowl hunting access in the Clearwater Region while limiting the number of hunters and designating specific locations for hunting.
Hunters must… more
How has the Big Grass Fire affected mule deer and elk?
| idfg-rcurtis
The Big Grass Fire started from a lightning strike on July 23, 2026 and burned 578,637 acres in Idaho and Oregon. The fire affected an enormous area, and recovery will take time and effort to restore valuable wildlife habitat. While these efforts are ongoing, hunters can explore alternative places to hunt deer and elk… more
UPDATE: Low-level aerial spraying flights to continue in late October to complete project in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Those looking to recreate in the South Hills, Soldier, and Smoky Mountains may see a low-flying helicopter applying pre-emergent herbicide to hillsides in game management units 43, 44, 48, and 54. The flights are a continuation of the the spraying project that occurred in September.
The remaining aerial… more
New In 2026: Pheasant season opens Oct. 15 statewide
| idfg-cliess
Pheasant hunters, listen up. New this year, pheasant hunting season for residents will open on Oct. 15, statewide. So, whether you call north Idaho or south Idaho home, this year’s season opener will be the same across the board. Additionally, the pheasant season for nonresidents opens Oct. 20.
Also new this… more
Lake Cascade angler sets new catch-and-release state record for bullhead catfish
| idfg-mkoenig
Josh Delong of Idaho made a little fishing history Sept. 5 when he landed a 17-inch bullhead catfish at Lake Cascade, establishing a new Idaho catch-and-release state record for the species.
Delong’s fish narrowly edged out the previous record of 16.25 inches, caught by Chris Webber in June 2025. That means the… more
Life, Death, and Data: The story of a salmon run in the Middle Fork Salmon River basin
| idfg-Maddie.Myers
After spending years growing in the Pacific Ocean, Chinook salmon return to the very streams where they began their lives. Their journey takes them hundreds of miles inland, through multiple dams, strong currents, and countless obstacles before reaching the cold mountain streams of central Idaho.
Each fall,… more