Press Releases and Articles
F&G Commission sets migratory game bird seasons for 2025-26
| idfg-cliess
During its conference call on April 15, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission set the 2025-2026 migratory game bird seasons, including waterfowl, mourning dove, American crow, and sandhill crane. Because it was a special meeting of the Commission, no public comment or question opportunities were held during the meeting.… more
An Angler's Guide to Kokanee Management: How F&G manages cyclical populations (VIDEO)
| idfg-rphillips
If you ask kokanee anglers what they want, odds are good they will say more fish and bigger ones. That’s not being greedy, that’s just an honest answer about what they’d prefer. But there are tradeoffs, variables and unknowns that keep “more and bigger” from happening, which is the cold shower of reality when it comes… more
Idaho Fish and Game Commission rescinds Snake River hunting, fishing, and trapping closure due to quagga mussels
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
At their April 15, 2025 meeting, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission rescinded their Snake River closure to hunting, fishing and trapping below the high-water mark near Twin Falls that had been in place since September 29, 2023.
The closure was put into place in response to the detection of quagga mussels by the… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (04-15-2025)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for April 15, 2025. The data discussed in this report was collected between Monday, April 7 and Sunday, April 13, 2025.
Steelhead angler effort remained high last week upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19, while continuing… more
Introduction to Dutch Oven Cooking class to be hosted at the Farragut Shooting Range Center in May
| idfg-tjross
Get ready to impress your friends, family or neighbors at your next get together by learning the ins and outs of Dutch oven cooking! An Introduction to Dutch Oven Cooking class will be held at the Farragut Shooting Range Center on May 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Spearfishing opportunities could expand, F&G taking comment on proposals until April 28
| idfg-rphillips
Currently, spearfishing is only allowed for nongame fish species, however, in winter 2025, the Idaho Legislature approved an administrative rule proposed by the Fish and Game Commission allowing spearfishing as a legal method of take in waters prescribed by the Commission. The rule takes effect July 1, 2025, and it was… more
Deadline extended to April 24 for strategic plan web comments
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game is updating its strategic plan in 2025 and wants to hear from Idahoans who are interested in shaping future wildlife management in the state. Known as The Compass, Fish and Game’s Strategic Plan was last updated in 2015. Much has changed in Idaho since then, so it’s important for those who value… more
Bird boxes NOW available at Clearwater Region office in Lewiston
| idfg-jbruns
The steady sound of buzzing saws, whirling drills and pounding hammers filled the air at the Idaho Fish and Game office in Lewiston on Saturday, April 12th. Thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers, over 100 bluebird and chickadee/wren nest boxes were constructed and are now available at the Clearwater Regional office… more
F&G Commission will meet via special conference call on Tuesday, April 15 at 9 a.m. MST
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission is scheduled to hold a special conference call on Tuesday, April 15 at 9 a.m. MST. People can attend in person at Fish and Game’s Headquarters Office at 600 South Walnut in Boise or visit a regional office to listen in.
The special meeting will not include a public hearing, and… more
Kid's Fishing Day at Hordemann Pond in Moscow
| idfg-jbruns
To help families discover the joys of fishing, the annual Kiwanis Kid's Fishing Day will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Moscow's Hordemann Pond. Idaho Fish and Game's fishing trailer will be stocked with rods and reels available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis. If you're not… more
HAT Working Group final recommendations advance to negotiated rulemaking
| idfg-cliess
During the March Commission meeting (rewatch here), the Idaho Fish and Game Commission directed staff to include the final recommendations—of which 23 out of 23 members were in support—of the Hunting and Advanced Technology (HAT) Working Group in developing negotiated rulemaking proposals, public outreach, and policy… more
Road work on Craig Mountain's Wapshilla Ridge starting April 14
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game will be conducting road work along Wapshilla Creek on Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area. The road washed out two years ago and has needed significant repairs. For anyone planning on hunting in that area, work is slated to start April 14 and will continue until May 30. Contact the Clearwater… more
Gettin’ Lek-ky: A look at the unique and peculiar lives of SW Idaho’s sharp-tailed grouse
| idfg-cliess
Anyone who’s ever taken a drive along Idaho Highway 95 knows what sagebrush country looks like. It’s yellowish-brown, spans as far as the eye can see, and often appears completely void of life upon first glance. But have another look—pull out the binos if you need them—and after a while, a whole other world of fauna… more
Hunter Harvest Report: Idaho deer and elk hunters go 3 for 3 in 2024
| idfg-cliess
Here’s a story worth celebrating.
Big game hunters apparently got after it in the fall of 2024, accomplishing a statewide hat trick of harvest increases—the first time since 2020—of elk, mule deer, and white-tailed deer. Hunters are no strangers to swings in populations and harvests, and Idaho Fish and Game… more
Idaho Fish and Game’s Managed Hunt Program is looking to enroll properties for the 2025 hunting season
| idfg-jjackson
Since 2022, Idaho Fish and Game’s Southeast Region has been working with regional landowners to provide hunting opportunities on their properties for hunters through the Managed Hunt Program. This unique program forms partnerships among willing landowners, responsible hunters, and Idaho Fish and Game to… more
Springtime can bring conflicts with off-leash dogs and coyotes during breeding season
| idfg-tthompson
Coyote activity around the Magic Valley, especially in those areas where people are recreating, provides Idaho Fish and Game an opportunity to remind recreationists to take precautions with their pets to reduce the risk of conflicts with coyotes, especially during the denning season.
Fish and Game officials in… more
April trout stocking schedule for the Southeast Region
| idfg-jjackson
Spring has sprung! Grab your fishing pole, pack the cooler, and don’t forget your fishing license! Idaho Fish and Game hatchery personnel will be trucking over 42,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout to fisheries in the Southeast Region this month. Go get ‘em!
2025-26 Idaho Big Game Season and Rules available online
| idfg-rphillips
The 2025-26 Big Game Seasons and Rules booklet is now available online. The Fish and Game Commission set the new seasons and rules in March, and the public comment period garnered about 14,700 comments from hunters. The department altered many of the initial proposals based on that feedback.
"People who… more