Press Releases and Articles
Spring, summer, or fall – what’s the difference for Idaho’s salmon?
| idfg-tcopeland
Salmon swimming back to Idaho rivers are often named by season. Chinook salmon in Idaho may fall into one of three common “runs” called spring, summer, or fall. How are these names assigned? Idaho’s salmon must travel a long way after leaving the ocean before they reach their spawning grounds, so it might not be clear… more
Handguns 101: A Fundamentals Workshop to be offered at Farragut Public Shooting Range
| idfg-kcampbell
Under the direction of NRA certified instructors, most of whom served as law enforcement officers, participants will learn several handgun basics. Participants must be age 18 or older and pre-registration is required.
Topics include:
handgun types common terms and definitions related to handguns and… more
F&G Commission amends wolf hunting and trapping seasons to align with new state law
| idfg-rphillips
During a conference call on Thursday, June 17, Idaho Fish and Game Commissioners amended current wolf trapping and hunting seasons in response to recent legislative direction.
The amended seasons take effect on July 1, consistent with the effective date of Senate Bill 1211. Changes will not be reflected in… more
Smolt Monitoring Project Week 12: Stepping Stones
| idfg-sputnam
Another successful season has concluded for the Snake and Salmon river smolt traps. As the crews wrap up the season by moving the Snake River trap to its off-season storage site, they reflect on their experiences during the past three months. Some technicians returned for another trapping season to gain additional… more
Weekly Salmon Fishing Update – June 16, 2021
| idfg-csullivan
Welcome to our weekly Chinook Salmon Fishing Update. Each week, we will provide updates on seasons and rules and share data from creel surveys, hatchery returns, and fish passage through the Columbia and Snake rivers to help anglers plan their salmon fishing trips.
Chinook salmon fishing started April 24, and… more
Spring Chinook Salmon Fishing Update 6/15/2021
| idfg-jbruns
Hi folks, below you can find our latest weekly update for spring Chinook Salmon fishing. The table below shows the current estimates at Bonneville Dam which have only changed slightly from last week’s update. The Clearwater River slightly increased to an estimated adult harvest share of 262, the total Rapid River… more
Two conflicts with deer and dogs in Pocatello's Johnny Creek reported to Idaho Fish and Game
| idfg-jjackson
For the second time in a week, a deer-dog altercation in the Johnny Creek area has been reported to the Idaho Fish and Game office in Pocatello.
In both incidents, homeowners reported encounters between mule deer does and pet dogs that have resulted in the pets requiring veterinary attention.
Deer will… more
Wildlife Express: Let’s explore Idaho’s mountains!
| idfg-scassinelli
We are lucky to have some of the most beautiful places in the world to explore. All we have to do is head to the mountains, strap on a pack and lace up a pair of boots.
In this issue of Wildlife Express, we take you to Idaho’s higher elevations for some high mountain lake fishing and unique wildlife watching… more
Chinook Fishing Updates - 6/15/21
| idfg-jmessner
Little Salmon River (Rapid River Run)
Over the last 4-day fishing interval on the Little Salmon River (June 10 – 13), catch rates were the best we’ve seen so far this season. We estimated 3,300 hours of angling effort during the 4-day period, and 220 adult Chinook Salmon harvested, for an average catch rate of… more
Panhandle Waterlife Discovery Center now open for the summer
| idfg-kcampbell
The WaterLife Discovery Center is now open for the summer! The center is a habitat education and interpretive area on the shores of the Pend Oreille River near Sandpoint, Idaho.
Naturalists on Duty, or NODS are available during certain days and hours, to show… more
Check out Idaho's warmwater fishing destinations
| idfg-bpearson
In Idaho, those waters that support trout, steelhead and salmon might get most of the attention, but the those that support warmwater fish are no slouches. While many anglers enjoy fishing for warmwater species, they’re overlooked by others, who are missing out on many exciting fishing opportunities.
… more
Chinook fishing on Little Salmon River to close June 18
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game is closing salmon fishing on the Little Salmon River, effective at the end of fishing hours on Friday, June 18, as Chinook salmon harvest is approaching current harvest objectives.
Seasons will remain open on the Snake River and Clearwater River basin. The fishery in the Snake River will… more
F&G Commission meeting by conference call June 17
| idfg-bpearson
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet via conference call Thursday, June 17 at 9 a.m. MDT. The Commission will consider changes to the 2021-2022 wolf season proclamation related to Idaho legislative action that will take effect July 1, 2021. See the agenda.
The conference call will be hosted at the… more
Salmon area fishing ponds to be stocked with lunker trout
| idfg-gschoby
Anglers in the Salmon and Challis areas will see some giant trout lurking in local fishing ponds after Clear Springs Foods donated over 300 hatchery broodstock rainbow trout to Idaho Fish and Game.
The trophy-sized trout, which average nearly 9 pounds, were stocked earlier this week at Blue… 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 will be closing the gates in Magic Dam on June 10, 2021 leading to substantial flow reductions or cessation of flow which functionally de-waters the Big Wood River below the dam and the Richfield Canal. The gates are closing significantly earlier… more
Lake Pend Oreille acoustic-tagged walleye locations
| idfg-kcampbell
Walleye continue to concentrate in the Western basin of Lake Pend Oreille and near the Sandpoint bridges.
Tracking walleye allows fishery biologists to learn more about walleye distribution and movement. It also provides information to help anglers better target walleye and participate in the … more
Wapshilla Ridge road work on Craig Mountain WMA will result in closure until June 24
| idfg-jbruns
On Monday June 14, an excavation crew will begin regrading approximately 5 miles of roadway commonly known as the Wapshilla Ridge road on Craig Mt Wildlife Management Area. The work is intended to improve drainage to prevent future washouts and further road degradation. The road will continue to be a rough two track… more
Fishing Idaho's mountain lakes: tackle, tactics and tips for anglers
| idfg-mkoenig
Mountain lakes require some challenging logistics when you consider the travel and hiking required to access them, and when you arrive, there’s the challenge of catching fish, right?
Fortunately, hardest part of fishing a mountain lake is usually getting to it. The fishing tends to be pretty… more