Press Releases and Articles
F&G Commission reduces Chinook bag limits for Salmon and Little Salmon rivers
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game Commission reduced bag limits for Chinook salmon fishing on the Salmon River and Little Salmon River that will take effect May 22.
While Chinook counts at Bonneville Dam improved dramatically in mid May, the return to the Little Salmon River is not expected to meet the preseason… more
McCall hatchery construction closure extends through July 1
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game’s McCall Fish Hatchery will remain closed to the public to finish construction of two holding ponds. The holding ponds will be used to house adult Chinook salmon broodstock awaiting spawning, and will allow the hatchery to more efficiently address challenges posed by low flows and high water… more
F&G Commission meeting via teleconference at 9 a.m. MDT on May 18
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet Thursday, May 18 at 9 a.m. MDT via conference call. People can attend in person at Fish and Game’s Headquarters Office in Boise or any regional Fish and Game office to listen in.
There will be no opportunity for public comment or questions during the meeting.… more
Highland Valley Road on Boise River WMA will be closed to motorized vehicles on May 16-17
| idfg-bpearson
Between May 16 and May 17, Idaho Fish and Game will be closing Highland Valley Road to motorized vehicles due to road construction on the Boise River Wildlife Management Area. There will be large gravel trucks and other equipment working the road, resulting in unsafe conditions for both construction crews and… more
F&G Commission reduces controlled hunt tags in response to severe winter
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission cut deer and pronghorn controlled hunt tags during its May 11 meeting in Jerome after Fish and Game staff recommended reductions due to winter severity in the Southeast and Upper Snake Regions.
Hunters should take note when applying for big game hunts that some have changed and… more
Tex Creek, Montpelier, and Georgetown Wildlife Management Areas open up to public entry
| idfg-jbrower
Tex Creek, Montpelier, and Georgetown Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game are once again open to public entry beginning May 15, 2023. Human entry closures were enacted at these locations in late winter to protect wintering wildlife. As conditions have improved, the… more
F&G Commission approves wolf management plan
| idfg-rphillips
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission unanimously approved a new wolf management plan during its May 11 meeting in Jerome. The wolf plan drew roughly 2,500 comments during a 32-day public comment period, and it will shape Idaho’s wolf management over the next six years by outlining goals and strategies to manage… more
Spring Chinook Salmon Fishing Update 5/12/2023: Rapid River Run, Hells Canyon, and Clearwater River Fisheries
| idfg-jdupont
Hi everybody.
I’m back from a week of my meetings, so let’s get right to my weekly spring Chinook Salmon update (May 12, 2023).
Run Update
Even though I have been out of the office most of the week, I have been regularly checking dam counts and evaluating PIT tag detections to assess the status of… more
ICYMI: Fish and Game Commission Meeting May 11, 2023
| idfg-cliess
Watch the full recap of the May 11, 2023 Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting in Jerome, Idaho.
Topics covered include: 2023-2028 Pronghorn and Wolf Management Plans, the allocation of unclaimed early-season controlled hunt tags and discussing the direction for the wolf depredation control board funds,… more
Take Me Fishing! Trailer season in Southwest Idaho kicks off May 13 at Kleiner Pond
| idfg-staff
Fish and Game’s “Take Me Fishing!” Trailer is making its public event debut in Southwest Idaho on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as a part of the kickoff celebration for Meridian Parks and Recreation’s annual Unplug and Be Outside event.
During the kickoff celebration at Kleiner Park, anglers of… more
F&G reminds folks to leave young animals alone as we approach spring wildlife baby boom
| idfg-bpearson
Spring is here, and so is the peak of baby wildlife season. People are bound to see young wildlife when they venture outdoors during the spring and early summer, and there is a pretty good chance that they will see a baby animal that appears to be alone, with mom nowhere in sight.
While a well-intentioned human’… more
2023 Part 3; Snake and Salmon River Smolt Traps: They're Here!
| idfg-jbruns
The Snake River smolt trap is in place. The crews are trained and ready to work. Chinook salmon and steelhead trout smolts are beginning their downstream journey to the ocean.
The trap intercepts a portion of these hatchery- and natural-origin migrants. The livewell can hold several thousand fishes each day.… more
2023 Part 2; Snake and Salmon Rivers Smolt Traps: Swiftwater Classroom
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game uses several fish traps to learn about wild salmon and steelhead trout. One such device is called a rotary screw trap. Several of these are floating in small streams across the central Idaho landscape. Seasonal employees come from across the country to tend the traps. For many, this is their first… more
Eagle Creek road on Craig Mountain closed due to washout
| idfg-jbruns
Due to severe runoff over the last week, Eagle Creek road is washed out at mile marker 2.5. The contractor has arrived on site to begin repair work and the road will remain closed including weekends until it is passable. The road will be open on weekends and the original plan of construction, will resume as soon as… more
May trout stocking schedule for the Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Clearwater Region will be stocking approximately 45,500 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in May. All stocking dates and numbers of fish are approximate.
Don’t forget to purchase your 2023 fishing license!
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on… more
The opportunity to fish for some of the state’s biggest bass is now (and you don’t need to be a seasoned tournament pro to have a successful outing)
| idfg-cliess
During spring, the local weatherman stands before a green screen, strategically circling portions of the state with high and low pressure systems. Predicting spring weather in Idaho can be all over the map. While it might be weeks before most anglers wait for those warm, sunny days to pack coolers and slather on… more
Post Falls Park Pond in North Idaho is closed this season and will not be stocked with trout
| idfg-tjross
Post Falls Park Pond in North Idaho is being closed for the 2023 season to remove an invasive snail species commonly known as the Chinese mystery snail. Mystery snails were illegally introduced to the pond. As a result, the pond will not be fishable and will not be stocked with catchable rainbow trout during spring and… more