Press Releases and Articles
Draw results available for spring turkey controlled hunts
| idfg-cliess
Spring turkey controlled hunt draw results are available now.
The results have been posted through Fish and Game’s licensing system, GoOutdoorsIdaho.com. Hunters can check their GoOutdoorsIdaho account to view their controlled hunt tags draw results for spring turkey. Email notifications will be sent to… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (03-04-2025)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for March 4, 2025. The data discussed in this report was collected between Wednesday, February 26th and Sunday, March 2nd.
The first thing I wanted to mention in this week’s report is that the Deadwater ice jam opened up on Monday, March… more
Statewide trout stocking highlights for March 2025
| 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 March. 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
Deadwater ice jam is out
| idfg-bbeller
The Deadwater ice jam on the Upper Salmon River broke free as of Monday, March 3, 2025. Anglers can expect the river to remain turbid in the downstream areas for a few days before improving. Weather conditions may also impact river visibility, and there is still potential for cold weather to cause areas to re-freeze.… more
Attention steelhead anglers: Camping is not allowed in pull offs along S.F. Clearwater
| idfg-jbruns
As anglers make plans to fish the South Fork Clearwater River for steelhead should be aware of an Idaho law that prohibits camping on certain state-owned property. This law applies to Idaho Transportation Department property, including many of the pull offs along the South Fork Clearwater River.
This means… more
March trout stocking schedule for the Southeast Region
| idfg-jjackson
In spite of the fact that there’s probably a spring snowstorm or two in our future (it is Idaho after all), let’s get excited about spring fishing fun! Idaho Fish and Game hatchery personnel will be trucking over 23,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout to fisheries in the Southeast Region this month. Go get ‘em… more
Draw results available for spring black bear controlled hunts
| idfg-cliess
Spring black bear controlled hunt draw results are now available at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com.
Email notifications will be sent to those who provided an email address on their profile, others can check results at any license vendor or Fish and Game regional office. It is the applicant's responsibility to see if they… more
Summer 2025 Learn to Hunt and Fish Camp and Hunting and Shooting Skills Field Days in the Panhandle Region
| idfg-tjross
If hands-on learning is your thing, look no further than our Learn to Hunt and Fish Camp in the Panhandle Region! Not only do participants leave hunter education certified, but they also leave with more specialized hunting and fishing know-how compared to a standard hunter education class.… more
Stonebraker Access Yes! Parking Area Closed Until Temperature Drops
| idfg-jmessner
Once again, due to warm temperatures, rain, and muddy conditions, the Stonebraker Lane Access Yes! Parking area at Lake Cascade is closed until further notice.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game staff have decided to close the Stonebraker parking lot to reduce the risk of damage to private property while… more
Area residents should be aware that they may see helicopters flying low over areas within Game Management Unit 14 in the near future
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game will be conducting elk captures between February 27th and March 2nd and residents may observe low flying helicopters in the area. This effort will be conducted in areas between Grangeville and Riggins for the purpose of radio collaring elk to monitor movement patterns and survival to better… more
Thinking about spring steelheading? Here's 100K reasons to do it this year
| idfg-rphillips
Anglers looking to get an early start on their fishing season and catch one of Idaho's most prized fish should take advantage of spring steelhead fishing. It’s an exciting time because we’re seeing the best steelhead return since 2015 with more than 100,000 fish crossing Lower Granite Dam in 2024.
… more
Attention bear hunters, a bear ID course is required to hunt in 2025
| idfg-cliess
Effective Jan. 1, anyone hunting black bears in Idaho must show proof that they have passed a bear identification test to help them differentiate between grizzly bears and black bears. Both grizzly bears and black bears reside in portions of Idaho, so it is important to know their physical differences. Grizzlies are… more
Deer and bull elk illegally shot and killed near Wallace in the Panhandle Region
| idfg-tjross
Idaho Fish and Game has received information about two recent incidents of illegal take of a white-tailed deer and bull elk near Wallace. Fish and Game is requesting the public to report any information about the incident.
The first incident is believed to have occurred in the nighttime hours of Jan. 9 and 10. A… more
Feb. 18 S.F. Clearwater steelhead broodstock update: First week starts off hot!
| idfg-staff
As of the weekend of February 7-9th, we broke the 70 fish mark for steelhead brought back to Dworshak as broodstock! Since much of the river has been inconveniently locked up with ice, most of the fishing effort and success has been confined to a few miles upstream of Stites, Idaho. Despite the challenges, anglers rose… more
Deadline approaching! Comment period for big game season proposals closes Feb. 23
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game will be setting new big game seasons for deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, wolf, and mountain lion in March, and hunters can comment on season proposals Feb. 8–23.
Hunters can easily check out the proposals on the big game season setting webpage at idfg.idaho.gov/comment. … more
Upper Salmon River - Deadwater Ice Jam Update (02/18/2025)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone,
Warmer weather has returned, and the Upper Salmon River has started to thaw. Not surprisingly, we’ve also seen an increase in the number of calls from anglers asking about the status of the Deadwater ice jam, so we thought now would be a good time to issue a brief update.
The ice jam… more
These instructor-led hunter education courses are coming up in Southwest Idaho
| idfg-bpearson
A total of 19 courses with open seats are slated to start before the end of April. If you or someone you know hasn't completed Hunter Education but plan to hunt for turkey or bear in the spring, or to put in for a big game controlled hunt during the application period (May 1 - June 5), now is the time to enroll!
… more
F&G Citizens Shooting Range Advisory Committee to meet Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. MST in Boise and virtually
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Citizens Shooting Range Advisory Committee will hold its fourth meeting on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. MST at Fish and Game's headquarters building at 600 S. Walnut Street in Boise. The meeting will be streamed live via Zoom. However, members of the public in attendance or online can observe the meeting,… more