Press Releases and Articles
Hunters: As hunting season draws near, now is the perfect time to dial in your bow or firearm
| idfg-cliess
Hunting season will be here before we know it. If you haven’t already, here’s why now is the perfect time to dust off that firearm or bow in preparation for the 2023 season.
Fish and Game Commission orders fish salvage at Mackay Reservoir
| idfg-jbrower
The Idaho Fish and Game was recently notified that the Big Lost Irrigation District will be draining the remaining storage water from Mackay Reservoir due to a faulty head gate by the end of August 2023. This action will result in little to no habitat being available for fish in Mackay Reservoir, and it is expected… more
Fish and Game sponsors blood drive in the Magic Valley
| idfg-tthompson
The staff at the Magic Valley Region are excited to show their support and commitment to the residents of the Magic Valley by sponsoring a blood drive on August 16 from 11 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Magic Valley Regional office in Jerome. The office is located at 324 South 417 East, Jerome.
The goal of the blood… more
F&G seeks public comment on proposed draft mountain lion management plan
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking comments on its Draft Idaho Mountain Lion Management Plan 2024-2029. The plan provides guidance for staff to make management actions that will aid in the protection and management of mountain lion populations and also guide harvest recommendations.
People are encouraged to review… more
If you rebuild steelhead habitat, the fish will follow
| idfg-jhargrove
Although a long way from the Iowa farm where the Field of Dreams was built, the Potlatch River is home to the largest spawning area of wild steelhead in the lower Clearwater River basin. Currently, there are efforts underway to restore habitat and enhance the production of wild steelhead in the basin. For example, the… more
Snorkel surveys help pay big dividends ecologically and economically
| idfg-sputnam
Crooked River is a tributary of the South Fork of the Clearwater River in northcentral Idaho. It is approximately 5 miles west of Elk City. This river is home to spring Chinook salmon. They return 354 river miles from the Pacific Ocean to spawn here. Their young will rear in these waters. B-run steelhead and bull trout… more
Black bears lethally removed after attacking man at his Teton Valley home
| idfg-jbrower
On Monday, July 31, a Teton Valley man was attacked and injured by a sow black bear with a cub as he opened the garage door of his home in the Henderson Canyon area near Victor. The man involved quickly called Idaho Fish and Game to report the encounter.
Teton County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho Fish and Game… more
August fish stocking schedule for the Upper Snake Region
| idfg-jbrower
Fish and Game staff will be stocking 17,500 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout at the following locations in the Upper Snake Region during the month of August. All trout stocked will be rainbows unless otherwise mentioned in the comments. Don't miss your chance to throw in a line at these great locations… more
Second big game controlled hunt drawing application period is Aug. 5-15
| idfg-cliess
Any hunter who drew a controlled big game hunt tag has until Aug. 1 to buy it, and those that aren't purchased will be available for a second drawing. The application period for Idaho’s second big game controlled hunt drawing runs Aug. 5-15. To see big game tags available, check out the Controlled Hunt Information… more
ICYMI: Fish and Game Commission Meeting July 27, 2023
| idfg-cliess
Watch the full recap of the July 27, 2023 Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting in Coeur d'Alene.
Topics covered include: 2023 sage-grouse season setting, fall Chinook and coho salmon forecasts, shed antler seasons, as well as others.
Important dates to help plan your August
| idfg-cliess
From tags sales to season openers, there’s a lot happening in Idaho during August that you should be aware of. Staying in the loop can be the difference between applying for that coveted controlled hunt tag and watching from the sidelines.
Be sure to stay up to date on all Fish and Game happenings. Here… more
Statewide trout stocking highlights for August 2023
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking roughly 90,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this August. 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
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for August 2023 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-tthompson
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 21,675 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in August. All stocking dates and numbers of fish are approximate.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns); dates… more
Walleye fishery update in Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir
| idfg-cmcclure
Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir, located in southern Idaho near Rogerson, Idaho is a popular fishery, particularly for walleye. The reservoir, located within the Magic Valley Region is one of only three managed walleye fisheries in the state.
August trout stocking schedule for the Southeast Region
| idfg-jjackson
Grab your fishing pole, pack the cooler, and don’t forget your fishing license! Personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s hatcheries in the Southeast Region will be releasing nearly 7,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at various locations during August— not to mention over 450 tiger trout are headed to Montpelier… more
Pennal Gulch Access Area near Challis to close temporarily Aug. 10-14
| idfg-mdemick
The Pennal Gulch Sportsmen’s Access Area on the Salmon River downstream of Challis will be temporarily closed from Friday, August 10 at 5 p.m. through Monday, August 14 at 11 a.m. The access area gate will be locked during this period.
Summertime Trout Slam
| idfg-mkoenig
"Trout Slam" programs aren't new these days. There’s the Wyoming Cutt-Slam, and also the Utah Cutthroat Trout Slam, and the well-known California Heritage Trout Challenge. OK fine – even Nevada has their own Native Fish Slam too!
But when it comes to fishing, bigger is better! That's where the Western… more
First sockeye of 2023 returned to Stanley area on July 26
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game staff on July 26 trapped the first sockeye of the 2023 run in the upper Salmon River near Stanley. Through July 26, there were 1,295 sockeye counted at Lower Granite Dam about 30 miles downstream from Lewiston, which is well above the 10-year average of 754 sockeye crossing the dam by that date… more