Press Releases and Articles
Hunter and bowhunter education classes scheduled in the Southeast Region
| idfg-jjackson
With archery season and other fall hunt opportunities just around the corner, now is the time to get your hunter or bowhunter education certification completed! Of course there is always the online option for earning those certifications; however students can also register for instructor-led classes if they prefer. In… more
Ain’t No Mountain (Stream) High Enough: A guide to finding the perfect backcountry creekside fishing camp
| idfg-cliess
The dog days of summer are upon us. As the mercury skyrockets and the sun broils us 15 hours a day, few things are more attractive than leaving town and heading into the mountains to dunk a line (and maybe some sweaty feet) into a newfound creek or stream.
For anglers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of… more
Fish salvage order issued for the Big Wood River below Magic Dam and Richfield Canal diversion
| idfg-tthompson
The Big Wood Canal Company recently notified Fish and Game that they would soon close the gates at Magic Dam leading to substantial flow reductions or cessation of flow which functionally de-waters the Big Wood River approximately 1.25 miles below the dam and the Richfield Canal. The gates are closing earlier than… more
Sneaker males: Not all male Chinook have the same life history and spawning habits
| idfg-vluzanau
The old cliche that you can't judge a book by its cover also applies to Chinook salmon. We think we know about them in general terms – they are born in Idaho's rivers, migrate to the ocean and then return as large adults to spawn. But there's more to the story with Idaho's Chinook salmon, and… more
Another state record falls with monster catfish from C.J. Strike Reservoir
| idfg-mkoenig
Paul Newman with his new Catch-and-Release State Record channel catfish.
Congratulations to Paul Newman of Fruitland on setting a new Catch-and-Release State Record for channel catfish. Newman set out on C.J. Strike Reservoir on July 20 hoping to catch a sturgeon. While he didn't land any… more
Shooting skills clinic planned in Blackfoot
| idfg-tatwood
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, in collaboration with Cedar Hills Gun Club, will be offering a range day for anyone who has graduated from a Hunter’s Education Course in Idaho or another state. Those who choose to register for the range day will be offered basic firearm handling and shooting instruction from… more
Crawling through Idaho’s rivers and streams, snorkelers provide valuable fisheries data
| idfg-scassinelli
When most people think of snorkeling, they picture a tropical setting where the water is a comfortable 80 degrees and the weather is always sunny. You’re wearing a swimsuit, goggles with a breathing tube, and swim fins as you flutter kick through comfortable water observing fish at the bottom of the sea.
For… more
Upper Salmon River Chinook Update: 7/20/2022
| idfg-gschoby
Hi all, it's been a busy week in the upper Salmon. I've been out in the field and came home to a new wildfire near Salmon. I hope all are safe and well. Below is the weekly upper Salmon River Chinook update courtesy of Brent Beller:
Angler effort upstream of the East Fork almost doubled compared to the… more
F&G biologists look into the effect of Utah chub on Yellowstone cutthroat in Henrys Lake
| idfg-dmccarrick
Henrys Lake is a renowned trophy trout fishery that is managed for rainbow trout and Yellowstone cutthroat trout hybrids, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, and brook trout. Yellowstone cutthroat trout is a popular sport fish and is native to Henrys Lake and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Unfortunately, Yellowstone… more
Weekly Salmon Fishing Update – July 20, 2022
| idfg-csullivan
Welcome to our weekly Chinook Salmon Fishing Update. During these updates we will provide information on changes to seasons and rules and share data from creel surveys and hatchery returns to help anglers plan their salmon fishing trips.
Chinook fishing is still ongoing in many areas of the state, however the… more
Video: How Idaho's alpine lakes got their fish
| idfg-mkoenig
High alpine lakes across Idaho’s backcountry provide some fantastic fishing opportunities in some beautiful scenery. Alpine lakes can offer a wide variety of trout fish, including cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, grayling, brook trout and even the occasional golden trout. This… more
Gov. Little announces appointments to Fish and Game Commission
| idfg-cliess
(Note: The following press release was issued by Gov. Brad Little's office on July 19, 2022)
Governor Brad Little announced today the reappointment of Timothy Murphy and the appointment of Jordan Cheirrett to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission.
Murphy is the current Fish and Game Region 3 commissioner… more
Aug. 1 deadline to buy controlled hunt tags is fast approaching
| idfg-cliess
The deadline to purchase controlled hunt tags is Aug. 1 at 11:59 p.m. MDT.
It is the applicant's responsibility to see if they drew a controlled hunt tag and to buy it by this deadline. All controlled hunt tags (except unlimited and January hunts) that are not purchased by the Aug. 1 deadline will be forfeited… more
F&G euthanizes sow black bear in Ketchum after second incident of an aggressive bear raiding garbage
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game personnel and local law enforcement responded to an aggressive bear in a Ketchum neighborhood, which resulted in a sow being euthanized and two cubs captured. The cubs will be taken to Snowdon Wildlife Sanctuary in McCall for rehabilitation.
Early morning on July 18, Fish and Game staff… more
Chinook fishing season will end on the South Fork of the Salmon River on July 21
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game will close Chinook salmon fishing on the South Fork of the Salmon River at the end of fishing hours on Thursday, July 21. The sport fishing share of the harvest will have been reached by that time. Anglers can see what areas remain open for fishing by checking the Chinook Salmon Seasons and Rules… more
Video: F&G Southwest Region staff rescue tangled-up heron at Wilson Springs Ponds
| idfg-bpearson
On Thursday, July 14, Idaho Fish and Game received a report of a heron that was tangled up in fishing line at Wilson Springs Ponds in Nampa. Regional Wildlife Manager Ryan Walrath and Conservation Officer Matt O'Connell responded and were able to free the bird and release it safely nearby.
River and Sky: A fish biologist’s perspective of counting salmon from the air
| idfg-cbaum
On a chilly morning, I’m awake and alert as I can be. I’m strapped into a helicopter seat, flight helmet on, doors off, safety checks done, GPS in one hand, radio in the other and a data sheet secured to my thigh. The excitement grows as the rotor blades pick up momentum and start humming loudly. We lift off… more
Food-conditioned black bear euthanized at Stoddard Creek Campground
| idfg-jbrower
On July 14, Fish and Game captured and euthanized a young male black bear at Stoddard Creek Campground after it had received multiple food rewards from garbage left out by careless campers. The food-conditioned bear showed no fear of humans and repeatedly ripped open coolers and pushed on tents in search of food,… more