Press Releases and Articles
Hagerman State Fish Hatchery announces new gate closure times
| idfg-tthompson
Officials with the Hagerman State Fish Hatchery have announced that effective immediately entry gates will close at sunset each day. Over the last several years the gates have closed at 10:00 p.m. but due to increased vandalism and theft at the hatchery, the gates will now automatically close at sunset.
“We… more
Hatchery highlights for October: Notable fish stockings around the state
| idfg-bgrant
Idaho Fish and Game produces over 30 million fish annually at its hatcheries, and stocks them into waters throughout the state every year, providing Idahoans with fishing opportunities for a variety of species.
With October here, Fish and Game's fish stocking crews are returning to many local ponds and other… more
Hunters and anglers are reminded they must stop at check stations
| idfg-rphillips
Check stations are an opportunity for Fish and Game staff to talk to thousands of hunters and see thousands of harvested animals. Hunters should feel free to ask questions, too. The goal is to get the information we need, answer your questions, and get you on your way quickly.
Here are a few reminders to make… more
The data behind the Commission's decision to close steelhead fishing in the Clearwater
| idfg-jdupont
Hi everybody. By now, I’m sure most of you have heard that our commission decided to close the steelhead fishery in the Clearwater River basin due to the poor return of hatchery fish destined for this watershed. For more information on the commission’s decision, you can click on this link commission closes steelhead… more
Fish and Game Property Vandalized - Public's Help Sought
| idfg-eoneale
Fish and Game is asking the public for information regarding the recent vandalism of an access gate at the Birding Island North segment of the Payette River Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The segment is located about three miles north of New Plymouth, Idaho.
Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) is offering a $1,… more
Clearwater Region’s Pheasant Release Program ready for 2019 Season
| idfg-jbruns
Pheasant season is almost two weeks away, and Idaho Department of Fish… more
Youth pheasant hunt runs Oct. 5–11
| idfg-rphillips
Youth 17 years old and younger with an Idaho hunting license can participate in the youth pheasant hunt so long as they're accompanied by an Idaho licensed hunter age 18 years or older. The youth hunt runs from Saturday, Oct. 5 through Oct. 11.
Pheasant hunting starts a half hour… more
What hunters can do to prevent introducing chronic wasting disease into Idaho
| idfg-tthompson
Chronic Wasting Disease could someday change how some of Idaho’s deer, elk and moose populations are managed. Luckily, the disease has not been found in Idaho wildlife – yet, and hunters can help prevent human introduction of the disease by properly handling deer, elk, and moose harvested in other states and Canadian… more
Market Lake implements wetland management for improved habitat and waterfowl hunting
| idfg-jbrower
Hunters may have noticed that several of the marshes at Market Lake Wildlife Management Area near Roberts are lower than in previous years. “The drawdown of the marshes was done as part of a multi-year plan to improve habitat for waterfowl and increase the number of birds available for hunters,” says Habitat Manager… more
Take a kid hunting: Youth Waterfowl Hunting Weekend is Sept. 28-29
| idfg-bpearson
Duck and goose hunting is among the coolest ways to introduce a youngster to the excitement of hunting. There's usually plenty of birds in the sky and the opportunity for a novice to experience the blinds, the decoys, and the dogs, all under the supervision and guidance of an adult.
Here are the rules you need… more
Don't commit license fraud, buy the right licenses and tags
| idfg-doverman
One of the most common fish and game violations detected by conservation officers doesn’t occur in the field, but at the license vendor. The violation is known as fraudulent license purchase, or purchase of a wrong class license, and it occurs when a nonresident purchases a resident license using some sort of… more
Bull moose left to waste near Mackay
| idfg-jbrower
Fish and Game is seeking information from the public on the illegal waste of a bull moose near the Park Creek Campground off Trail Creek Road north of Mackay. Reports from multiple individuals on Sunday, September 22, led Fish and Game Conservation Officers to the carcass of a bull moose that had been shot… more
Coho salmon fishing now open on the Clearwater River
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game Commission recently opened a coho salmon fishing season until Oct. 13, or until further notice. Fishing is open on the Clearwater River from its mouth upstream to Memorial Bridge seven days per week, and from Memorial Bridge upstream to the confluence of the Middle Fork Clearwater and South Fork… more
Southwest Region Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule for the Month of October
| idfg-eoneale
Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatchery will be releasing more than 29,500 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during October. Local ponds are the primary focus of this stocking effort due to milder weather and correspondingly cooler water temperatures.
LOCATION WEEK STOCKED… more
Brush up on the trespassing laws before you go hunting or fishing
| idfg-rphillips
Hunters, anglers and other sportsmen and women should be aware of Idaho trespass laws before they head into the field. Trespass laws changed in 2018, but here are some basic things to remember:
You need permission to be on private land. It’s the responsibility of the hunter/angler to know if they’re on… moreHayden and Kid's Creek ponds stocked with huge trout
| idfg-mdemick
Clear Springs Foods recently donated 160 giant trout that were stocked in Hayden Pond and Kid's Creek Pond on Friday, September 20.
The super-sized trout, which average 9 pounds, were stocked by personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s Mackay Hatchery and regional fisheries staff. Approximately 100 trout… more
Recent Trail Maintenance on Snow Peak WMA
| idfg-lwolf
This summer, the IDFG wildlife habitat crew was busy opening up and improving Snow Peak Wildlife Management Area trails for hikers and horseback riders.
Starting at Sawtooth Saddle (at the end of the FS 201 road), the crew cleared logs and removed brush along 3 miles of Trail #100 down to Buck Creek… more
Grizzly bear mistaken for black bear by hunter in Panhandle
| idfg-kcampbell
On September 17, a nonresident (Montana) hunter shot and killed a grizzly bear that he mistook for a black bear. He was hunting in Idaho’s Panhandle near the Canadian border (Smith Creek). After identifying the bear as a grizzly at the scene, the hunter contacted Fish and Game and is cooperating with the investigation… more