Press Releases and Articles
Winter feeding update for the Southeast Region (03/24/2023)
| idfg-jjackson
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game with input from the Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee (WFAC) initiated the feeding of deer and elk at several locations in the Southeast Region beginning in early February. Approximately, 30 tons of deer feed is currently being distributed to 23 authorized… more
F&G Commission set big game seasons for 2023-24
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game Commission set 2023-24 Big Game seasons on March 17, and new seasons and rules brochures will be available on Fish and Game’s website in mid April and printed brochures will be available before big game controlled hunt application period opens on May 1.
“We appreciate the public’s… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for April 2023 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-tthompson
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 64,900 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in April. 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
Statewide trout stocking highlights for April 2023
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking roughly 250,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this April. 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
New state record northern pike caught in North Idaho: 40.76 pounds!
| idfg-tjross
On March 21, 2023, Hayden Lake in North Idaho produced a new certified state record northern pike. The record fish weighed a whopping 40.76 pounds, was 49 inches in length and 26.5 inches in girth – a true monster of a fish!
Mule deer doe shot and left to waste in Franklin County
| idfg-jjackson
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking information about a mule deer doe shot and left to waste in Franklin County. On Friday March 17, 2023, while on a fishing patrol along the southern portion of Oneida Narrows Road in Franklin County, Senior Conservation Officer Kolby White came across a dead mule deer doe lying 20… more
Annual F&G fur auction online in 2023, begins April 10
| idfg-mdemick
For the third straight year, Idaho Fish and Game's annual fur auction will be held entirely online beginning April 10.
This year’s auction of furs, hides, antlers, and other items will be run by Wears Auctioneering West. The online auction begins April 10 and ends April 24 at 3 p.m… more
Fish sampling techniques: A look into the world of electrofishing
| idfg-smeyer
Do you ever wonder how biologists are able to catch and sample so many fish? They cheat! Biologists commonly use electrofishing methods to “stun” fish so that they can easily be caught.
How does electrofishing work?An electrofishing unit puts out an electric field into the water so that fish in close… more
Dworshak Reservoir 2023 Fisheries Forecast
| idfg-efelts
Dworshak reservoir will provide excellent fishing opportunities once again in 2023. Kokanee anglers should see improved opportunities from 2022, and Smallmouth Bass anglers could experience some of the better bass fishing this reservoir has ever provided. Higher abundances of Rainbow trout stocking will also continue… more
Despite a weather delay, the Snake River smolt trap is installed and ready to collect juvenile salmon and steelhead
| idfg-sputnam
We attempted to launch the Snake River juvenile salmon and steelhead trout trap during the last week of February. However, March weather arrived early. This year, March came in like a lion. The harsh weather forced us to delay the launch. We needed a day more like a lamb than a lion.
Fortunately, the weather… more
Spring turkey hunting outlook looking good for 2023, similar to 2022
| idfg-cliess
Despite a heavy winter that’s blanketed much of the state, Fish and Game biologists are optimistic about expectations for this year’s spring turkey hunt.
Youth turkey season opens April 8, and the general turkey season and many controlled hunts open April 15. Hunters can see which units have general hunts… more
Volunteers sought for Snake River clean-up day
| idfg-tthompson
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID restrictions, Idaho Fish and Game, Magic Valley Region is pleased to partner with Idaho Power Company and Ducks Unlimited to bring back the Snake River clean-up day in mid-April.
The half-day effort will be held on Saturday, April 15 from 10:00 a.m. to early afternoon.… more
Craig Mountain WMA video series: Forest health part III- Wildlife screen
| idfg-jbruns
During the forest health operation planning process, a lot of consideration is taken into account to benefit wildlife species. This video shows a meadow that provides a significant amount of wildlife value. In order to provide some security for wildlife species, a ban of trees were left alongside the road to create a… more
Fish and Game seeks volunteers to plant sagebrush to rehabilitate big game winter range damaged by wildfires
| idfg-tthompson
The Magic Valley Region, Idaho Fish and Game, in partnership with the Twin Falls District, BLM are seeking volunteers to help plant sagebrush to rehabilitate big game winter range at two different locations in the Magic Valley.
The goal is to plant 13,000 seedlings over two weekends.
On April 1, 2023,… more
Joint project underway to reduce big game-vehicle collisions in North Idaho
| idfg-tjross
The Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Idaho Fish and Game and the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative recently announced a joint project to improve traffic safety and protect wildlife by repairing existing highway fencing and extending it by about a mile near wildlife underpasses on U.S. 95 north of Bonners… more
Irrigators in Salmon Region asked to contact Fish and Game before turning ditch water on this spring
| idfg-mdemick
To keep fish out of irrigation ditches, irrigators who divert water from local rivers and streams are asked to contact Idaho Fish and Game’s Anadromous Fish Screen Program at 208-756-6022 at least one week prior to turning their water on.
This will allow Fish and Game enough time to get all fish screens in place… more
March 21: Upper Salmon River Weekly Fishing Report
| idfg-mdemick
Over the past week, steelhead angler effort increased on the upper Salmon River. However, overall angler effort remained lower than average for mid-March.
Most of the angler effort was observed downstream of North Fork in location code 15 and downstream of the Pahsimeroi River in location code 17. Primarily due… more
Mountain lions continue to be active throughout the Wood River Valley
| idfg-tthompson
Residents throughout the Wood River Valley continue to see and report mountain lions frequenting their yards or are seeing them on their security cameras. Since October 1, 2022, the Magic Valley Region has received 85 calls about mountain lions in the Valley, with a majority of those calls coming from Hailey residents… more