Press Releases and Articles
Artificially created dams create barriers to fish passage
| idfg-wearl
On August 18, 2022 reports of a man-made dam on Lolo Creek were forwarded to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
The initial information stated a large man-made dam was located under the bridge that crosses Lolo Creek to Forest Road 5114 near Lolo Campground. Pictures from the Nez Perce Tribal Fisheries… more
Snorkel crew training to meet the challenges faced during wild salmon and steelhead trout surveys
| idfg-sputnam
Because wild Chinook salmon and steelhead trout spawn and are reared in natural environments, their status is not easily monitored. One method to monitor natural-reared Chinook salmon and steelhead trout is to use standardized snorkel survey protocols to collect juvenile salmonid data in their home streams. The data… more
This month’s 'Wildlife Express' newsletter dives deep into the lives of salmon
| idfg-cliess
Salmon are the marathon runners — well, swimmers — of the fish world, and for some, their finish line is the rivers and streams of Idaho.
There are three species that make Idaho their final destination: Chinook, sockeye and coho. (If you really want to split hairs, you could add in kokanee salmon as the fourth… more
Hayden Pond open for Labor Day weekend
| idfg-mdemick
Hayden Pond is once again open for anglers just in time for the Labor Day weekend.
Access to the popular fishing pond, located south of Salmon, was temporarily closed in early July after the dilapidated bridge spanning Hayden Creek was removed and replaced with a new, safer bridge.
“The pond… more
Thanks to sportsmen, Fish and Game is learning more each year about bobcats in the state
| idfg-mpfander
Bobcats are quite common throughout the state, and they are a popular quarry among fur harvesters.
Beginning in 2018, Idaho Fish and Game implemented a statewide effort to gather more information about bobcat populations through a voluntary bobcat jaw collection program. Since then, Fish and Game has… more
Before and after the day's snorkel surveys are completed
| idfg-sputnam
Wild salmon and steelhead trout snorkel survey crews typically work eight days in a row. This is because most of their work sites are in remote areas of Idaho and daily commutes are not practical. They also work ten-hour days. You might wonder, “How do the crews spend the rest of the 24 hours each day while in the… more
Chinook Salmon Spawning at MK Nature Center
| idfg-sfocht
Would you like to see Chinook salmon spawning up close? You can at MK Nature Center! For about the next 10 days, you can watch typical Chinook salmon spawning behavior three feet from your own two eyes! Males are fighting, biting, and chasing for access to the female. The female is digging her nest (redd) and choosing… more
Boise County residents can help avoid bear conflicts by storing food and garbage properly
| idfg-bpearson
In late August, Idaho Fish and Game staff in the Southwest Region received multiple reports about a black bear breaking into homes in Crouch, with conflicts centered around the Castle Mountain and Terrace Lakes neighborhoods.
"This bear in Crouch has actually broken into area residences seeking and obtaining… more
ADA accessibility and parking improvements currently underway at the Boundary-Smith Creek Wildlife Management Area in the Panhandle
| idfg-tjross
Work is currently underway on the Boundary-Smith Creek Wildlife Management Area to improve parking and access for the ADA-accessible waterfowl blind installed in 2021.
A parking lot is being built immediately across the road from the current location of the blind, which is located on the northernmost portion… more
Wild game tracking, trailing and scent class to be hosted in the Panhandle Region on Sept. 17
| idfg-tjross
Idaho Fish and Game staff and volunteers in the Panhandle Region will be hosting a wild game tracking, trailing and scent class on Sept. 17 at the Farragut Shooting Range Center in Athol.
Wild animals are wily and well-equipped to elude humans in the woods at all times. Ask any hunter and they will tell you… more
Hunters who donate wings help F&G manage forest grouse populations
| idfg-rberkley
As folks head out to look for forest grouse over the next few weeks, Fish and Game biologists would like to remind hunters to keep an eye out for "wing barrels.' These are trash cans with Fish and Game logos on them, located throughout the state at key access points, with instructions for depositing a single wing from… more
Henrys Lake Quarterly Newsletter - Summer 2022
| idfg-ntillotson
Each year, IDFG conducts a gillnet survey on Henrys Lake to assess the current state of the fishery. We begin the survey immediately after ice-out, which didn’t take place until mid-May this year! We set nets at six sites throughout the lake every night until we reach our goal of at least 50 net-nights of… more
September fish stocking schedule for the Salmon Region
| idfg-mdemick
It’s a great time to grab your fishing gear and go fishing.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game will stock over 4,600 catchable-sized (10 to 12-inch) rainbow trout for the Labor Day weekend at the following locations.
BODY OF WATER
WEEK TO BE STOCKED… more
Southwest Region rainbow trout stocking schedule - September
| idfg-bpearson
Fish and Game staff will be nearly 19,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout at the following locations across the Southwest Region in September.
All fish stocked are rainbow trout. Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns);… more
Steel Challenge
| idfg-bpearson
Steel Challenge
Sponsored by the non-profit shooting club, the EE-DA-HOW Long Rifle… more
September fish stocking schedule for the Upper Snake Region
| idfg-jbrower
Fall is a busy time of year but don't forget to add fishing to your checklist of things-to-do as the kids head back to school. Check out the list of family friendly fishing waters that will be stocked full of fish this September.
Fish and Game staff will be stocking a total… more
Hunters who use July Creek Road may see increased traffic from a timber harvest
| idfg-jbrower
The following is a joint press release from Idaho Department of Lands and Idaho Fish and Game
Hunters using July Creek Road may experience increased traffic as a timber harvest gets under way. This is a popular route used by those accessing the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and other areas. Hunters should… more
Here's what Idaho hunters should know about chronic wasting disease for 2022
| idfg-rphillips
CWD was detected for the first time in Idaho in 2021 after five total animals including mule deer, white-tailed deer and elk tested positive in hunting Unit 14 between Riggins and Grangeville. Having CWD in Idaho will require hunters to know more about this disease and new rules because of it.
Units 14 and 15… more