Press Releases and Articles
Magic Valley Winter Feeding Advisory Committee to meet Nov. 17
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Magic Valley Winter Feeding Advisory Meeting
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, 6 p.m. MST
Address: Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Magic Valley Regional Office, 324 South 417 East Jerome, ID 83338
Winter Feeding Advisory Committees assist the Department with assessing winter conditions and make… more
Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report (Nov. 10, 2026)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River (USR) steelhead fishing report for Nov. 10, 2026, and the data discussed in this report was collected from Nov. 2 through Nov. 8.
Angler effort on the USR increased considerably during the last week of October and remained at similar levels through the first week of… more
Statewide trout stocking highlights for November 2026
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 60,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this November. 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
IDFG Commission meeting Nov. 17-18 in Lewiston
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will hold the public hearing and business meeting at Idaho Fish and Game’s Clearwater Regional Office at 3316 16th St. in Lewiston. A public hearing will begin on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. PST at the same location. Those wishing to speak to the Commission during the public hearing will have a… more
MK Nature Center will host its 20th annual bird seed sale on Dec. 4 and 5
| idfg-cliess
The MK Nature Center will host its 20th annual bird seed sale on Dec. 4 and 5. Come and stock up on food for your favorite backyard birds! Proceeds from this event benefit educational programs and day-to-day operations at the nature center.
High-quality bird seed — including black-oil sunflower, sunflower chips… more
Here’s how to navigate (and successfully apply for) Idaho’s second annual nonresident tag draw
| idfg-cliess
You’re a nonresident and want to hunt in Idaho in 2027 — you’ve come to the right place.
As Idaho Fish and Game prepares for its second nonresident deer and elk tag draw, hunters too should be taking notes and getting equipped to participate during this 10-day application period that will be here before we… more
Public’s help sought in wasted bull elk case in Unit 21
| idfg-tschrempp
Conservation officers are seeking information on a bull elk that was shot and left to waste in Unit 21. The elk was killed sometime between Oct. 15 and Oct. 17 at the head of Cabin Creek near Ulysses Mountain. Only the front quarters, one backstrap, and the head were taken. Both hind quarters, tenderloins, and the… more
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