Press Releases and Articles
Sagebrush-steppe Chapter Webinars Available for Viewing
| idfg-sfocht
The following links will take you to the Sagebrush-steppe Chapter webinars presented in 2020. These videos had previously been posted separately and have been consolodated here for your convenience.
Reptiles https://www.dropbox.com/s/r4hb23luf6mne1d/GMT20200331-151130_Reptiles-a_1920x1080.mp4?dl=0
… more
Cow elk and white-tailed doe shot near Blanchard-Elk Road on state border
| idfg-ksiitari
Blanchard, Idaho- A cow elk and white-tailed doe were illegally shot near the Idaho, Washington border the night of April 17. Officials are asking anyone with information to call the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline at 1-800-632-5999. A reward of up to $2,500 is available for information that leads to a citation.… more
Spring Chinook Salmon Fishing Update 4/20/2020
| idfg-jdupont
Hi everybody. The spring Chinook Salmon season in Idaho opens this weekend! I have remained silent on the details of this fishery because there has been a lot of uncertainty with the outbreak of COVID-19. However, with the season opening on April 25, I figured I couldn’t wait any longer before… more
Chinook fishing season opens April 25, but few fish are in Idaho yet
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho’s spring Chinook salmon fishing season opens April 25, but early indications show the fish appear to be social distancing on their own. As of April 19, only six fish had crossed Lower Granite Dam, which is about 25 miles downstream of Lewiston, and the last dam the fish cross before reaching Idaho.… more
Idaho’s black bears will soon be emerging from their winter dens
| idfg-tthompson
It appears that we are well on our way towards spring. With plants starting to break their long winter dormancy, wildlife will soon be doing the same. Black bears that live in south-central Idaho and other parts of the state are waking up, and they will be very hungry.
After spending… more
First field season wrapping up on Steelhead Study
| idfg-bbowersox
Written by Will Lubenau, University of Idaho
As steelhead fishing begins to wrap up for this spring, we wanted to provide an update on the University of Idaho steelhead catch-and-release study. Like many things, the study has been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Tagging that was occurring at Lower Granite… more
Take a walk on the wild side with Nature BINGO
| idfg-jjackson
Looking for something to make your next outdoor excursion a little more fun... even if you only venture as far as your backyard? Take along a nature BINGO card! (Use the one shown here or get creative and make your own.)
As you and your family hit the trails or explore your neighborhood, look… more
New catch/release record bull trout from the Panhandle
| idfg-mkoenig
Congratulations to Sawyer Livesey of Post Falls, Idaho on setting a new catch/release record for Bull Trout. Sawyer caught the monster while fishing the Kootenai River near Bonner's Ferry on April 8. This 30.5-inch bull trout was long enough to beat the previous 29-inch record set just last… more
Winter survival for radio-collared mule deer fawns and elk calves tracking above average
| idfg-bpearson
Statewide winter survival of radio-collared mule deer fawns and elk calves was above average through the end of March, and Fish and Game officials are optimistic that those numbers will continue on their current trajectory through the end of the monitoring period on June 1.
“In terms of winter survival, it… more
You can still go fishing during COVID-19 restrictions, so get out and enjoy spring
| idfg-rphillips
Taking the dangers of COVID-19 seriously and going fishing are not mutually exclusive, and in Idaho, most people can fish close to home. COVID-19 has created many challenges for Idahoans, but fortunately, we don’t have to stop fishing during beautiful spring weather.
Here are some tips to keep… more
Lamprey back in the Potlatch River
| idfg-bknoth
Is it an eel? Is it a snake? No, it’s a Pacific Lamprey! Lamprey are eel-like primitive fishes that lack the jaws and paired fins of true fishes. Their migrations have some similarities to Salmon in that they are born in freshwater and also spend time in the ocean growing to adults. But, there are some… more
F&G commission sets migratory game bird seasons for 2020-21
| idfg-bpearson
During a conference call on April 16, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission set the 2020-21 Migratory Game Bird seasons, including waterfowl, mourning dove, American crow and sandhill crane.
Hunters will be able to find exact season dates, zone maps, and shooting hours in Idaho Migratory Game Bird 2020-2021… more
New F&G process for hunters to exchange or buy returned elk tags starts April 23
| idfg-staff
Every year, a few hunters return and exchange their general season elk tag. Often the returned tags are highly sought-after tags, so Fish and Game has identified a more consistent and transparent way of handling them:
1) The exchange of over-the-counter elk tags for returned tags from sold-out capped zones. … more
Steelhead attempt to ascend Big Bear Falls in the Potlatch River drainage
| idfg-jbruns
Watch as steelhead repeatedly attempt to ascend Big Bear Falls in the Potlatch River drainage. Man-caused alterations in stream flow has made passage of this falls impossible for steelhead in most years. Plans are underway to modify these falls in 2021 so that steelhead can once again access areas where they were… more
Road washouts in the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area may hamper travel
| idfg-jbruns
Recreationists should be aware that multiple rain-on-snow events in early February have taken a toll on roads throughout the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area (CMWMA) east of Lewiston. The CMWMA is cooperatively managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG).
… more
Four MKNC Lessons Available ONLINE
| idfg-sfocht
Four of our most popular programs / presentations have been converted to movie files for your enjoyment. These presentations are designed for elementary-aged students. The Nature Center Grounds (fish viewing windows, garden, paths and bridges) are open. If you visit, PLEASE use social distancing guidelines to protect… more
Wildlife Express: Marvelous mayflies, toothed dragons, constructing caddisflies
| idfg-scassinelli
Some may think aquatic insects are an outdoor nuisance, but did you know they play an important role in our environment? Some help scientists study the health of our streams and can detect water pollution in advance. They also connect the links in food chains and webs as food for fish, birds, bats, spiders, and other… more
Spring black bear season opens April 15 in many hunting units
| idfg-bpearson
Hunters can get a chance to hunt big game in the spring with the opener of black bear hunting season on Wednesday, April 15 (some hunting units opened April 1).
Many parts of the state offer general hunting seasons for black bears, but hunters can not take any female bear with young. Here are the black… more