Press Releases and Articles
First sockeye of 2020 arrives at the Sawtooth Basin, run likely larger than last year
| idfg-bpearson
The first sockeye of 2020, a naturally produced female, returned to Redfish Lake Creek trap near Stanley on July 31 and a second arrived on Aug. 2, which are among the 412 sockeye that have crossed Lower Granite Dam through Aug. 2 and signals a substantially larger return to Idaho than last year.… more
August fish 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 over 6,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during August. Fish on!
Location … more
Fish and Game crews radio collar elk and pronghorn throughout south-central Idaho
| idfg-tthompson
Since mid-July, Fish and Game staff have been conducting low-level helicopter flights across south-central Idaho in an attempt to put radio collars on antlerless elk and pronghorn. These flights ranged from the Sawtooth and Wood River Valleys and into the Little Wood River basin and the Little Camas region.… more
Great kokanee fishing predicted at Ririe Reservoir
| idfg-jheckel
Fisheries Biologists recently completed an annual sampling of the kokanee population at Ririe Reservoir and are pleased with what they found. “We estimated the majority of the fish we caught this year to be 1 year-old kokanee between 8 and 11 inches,” says Fisheries Biologist John Heckel. “Due… more
Magic Valley Region rainbow trout stocking schedule for August 2020
| idfg-tthompson
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 24,725 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in August. All stocking dates and numbers of fish are approximate and may change without notice due to water or weather conditions.
Body… more
Idaho man wins bighorn lottery tag that raised a record $185,000 for sheep conservation
| idfg-bpearson
For the Meridian hunter whose ticket was pulled for the 29th Annual Bighorn Sheep Tag Lottery, the winning ticket represents the hunt of a lifetime. For Idaho Fish and Game, it means more than $185,000 in funding to benefit wild sheep conservation in Idaho.
Aaron Neilson was the lucky winner of the 2020… more
Elk depredation continues to occur throughout southern Idaho
| idfg-tthompson
Fish and Game staff in the Magic Valley Region continue to work with local agricultural producers in an effort to reduce agriculture crop damages caused by big game. Requests from landowners for depredation assistance continues to come in from all areas within the Region, which stretches from Galena Summit south to… more
August fish stocking schedule for the Upper Snake Region
| idfg-jbrower
Fish and Game staff will be stocking 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… more
Distance won’t stop us: monitoring salmon and steelhead in the middle of the Frank Church wilderness
| idfg-jpoole
Way out in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness area, 30 miles from the nearest road, Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) staff are learning more about salmon and steelhead in one of the most wild places in the lower 48 states. At the University of Idaho’s Taylor Wilderness Research Station (pictured… more
Southwest Region Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule
| idfg-eoneale
Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatchery will be releasing more than 18,000
catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during August.
Location Week Stocked Number of Trout
Boise River – Barber Park to Glenwood… more
Lake Lowell produces record catfish for Meridian angler
| idfg-mkoenig
Reed Monson landed a catch-and-release state record with his 33-inch Channel Catfish from Lake Lowell.
Congratulations to Reed Monson of Meridian on landing a new catch/release state record for channel catfish. Reed was fishing for largemouth bass on Lake Lowell on Friday, July 24 … more
Weiser Black Bear Working Group Releases Final Report
| idfg-eoneale
Black Bear Game Management Units (GMUs) 22, 31, 32 and 32A have traditionally been managed through controlled hunt permits only, leading to high quality bear hunting opportunities. In recent years, Fish and Game staff have dealt with an increase in black bear depredation issues on private lands, coupled with an… more
2020 nonresident deer/elk tags currently unavailable as second tags unless some are returned
| idfg-rphillips
With the sellout of over-the-counter, nonresident deer and elk tags, there are no nonresident tags currently available to be sold as second tags for the 2020 hunting season, which customarily became available on Aug. 1.
In recent years when nonresident over-the-counter deer and elk tags did not sell out, Idaho… more
Dworshak Kokanee Update
| idfg-jdupont
Dworshak Reservoir Kokanee Update
by
Sean Wilson
Kokanee fishing has been good this year on Dworshak Reservoir. If you haven’t been out, or are thinking of going again, you still have time, but don’t wait. As adult kokanee get ready to… more
Salmon Region waters to be stocked with trout in August
| idfg-mdemick
Even with COVID-19 concerns changing the way we are currently living, working, and recreating, you can still get outside for some fishing adventures. Just remember to follow public health recommendations for social distancing, even when outdoors.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game will stock over 13,… more
Hunters can weigh in on the proposed 2020 fall sage-grouse hunting season
| idfg-rphillips
Hunters can see the season proposals and comment online for the 2020 sage-grouse hunting season. Statewide sage-grouse populations are up slightly from last year, but down from the 2016 peak. Most proposed seasons will allow for 7-day, or 2-day, hunting seasons depending on the area. Deadline to comment is… more
Fish stocking continues statewide, and here are some highlights for August
| idfg-bgrant
Idaho Fish and Game has continued stocking fish during COVID-19, and despite this being an abnormal year, most of Idaho's angling opportunities remain unchanged. Here's a sampling of some places that will get generous trout stockings during August.
To see more about what waters have been stocked… more
Early elk hunts require special preparation
| idfg-bpearson
With some early season elk hunts starting Aug. 1, Idaho Fish and Game officials remind hunters that they can increase their chances of success and avoid possible problems by obtaining landowner permission, knowing the area they intend to hunt and take extra precautions to properly care for the… more