Press Releases and Articles
Another $1,000 reward tag turns up in Pend Oreille walleye lottery
| idfg-ksiitari
A fisherman from Priest River won $1,000 after catching a reward-tagged walleye in the Lake Pend Oreille Angler Incentive Program. Leon Russell caught his winning fish in early July in the lower reaches of the Priest River.
The reward fish was tagged… more
July 16 is last day to comment on proposed fall Chinook seasons for Clearwater, Snake and Salmon rivers
| idfg-bpearson
The 2020 adult fall Chinook Salmon return past Lower Granite Dam is projected to be around 15,000 adults with about 5,500 of these being natural origin. These run sizes will allow a harvest of over 3,000 adult salmon, which is considerably more than was provided during our spring Chinook Salmon seasons.
… more
Waterlife Discovery Center in Sagle open during July and August
| idfg-ksiitari
By Cindy Wolcott, Communications Chair, Pend Oreille Chapter Idaho Master Naturalists
The Pend Oreille Chapter of the Idaho Master Naturalists is hosting limited and safe open hours at the Waterlife Discovery Center through the month of August. Volunteer Master… more
Loff's Bay boat launch closed until further notice
| idfg-ksiitari
UPDATE: Loff's Bay Access Site reopens July 13 at 2 p.m.
The Loff's Bay boat launch and parking area will close July 9 until further notice in order to facilitate wreckage recovery following a plane collision on Coeur d’Alene Lake.
On July 5, two planes collided with each… more
Black bears and mountain lions frequent Wood River Valley trails
| idfg-tthompson
Recent reports of black bears and mountain lions along trails in the Wood River Valley are a good reminder that no matter the season, wildlife lives nearby. No negative interactions with any wildlife has occurred, but residents are cautioned to be alert and aware of their surroundings when outside. Wildlife such as… more
Boise man catches new catch/release state record grayling from mountain lake in the Sawtooths
| idfg-mkoenig
Brian Brooks released this 16.2-inch Arctic grayling over the July 4 holiday to earn a new catch/release state record!
Congratulations to Brian Brooks of Boise on landing a new catch/release state record Arctic Grayling. Brian hiked high up into the Sawtooth Mountains, where he landed and… more
After promising early results from lake trout suppression, kokanee stocking resumes in Payette Lake
| idfg-bpearson
For the first time since 2014, Idaho Fish and Game has stocked kokanee salmon into Payette Lake in McCall. Hatchery staff stocked a total of about 400,000 kokanee into the lake in late June, and will continue to stock that many kokanee every year until at least 2024.
Resuming kokanee stocking follows two… more
July 6 Upper Salmon River Chinook Salmon Fishing Report
| idfg-bbeller
Chinook angler effort on the upper Salmon River increased over the 4th of July weekend. Once again, the majority of anglers were observed fishing downstream of the Yankee Fork Salmon River confluence, but effort also increased upstream of Stanley, near the Sawtooth Hatchery.
An estimated 39 hatchery… more
Generous donation leads to upgrades at Wilson Ponds
| idfg-jcassinelli
A recent donation by the Gem State Fly Fishers has resulted in some significant upgrades to Idaho Fish and Game’s Wilson Ponds. Improvements to the pond complex include the installation of 10 steel benches in various locations around the ponds, as well as the addition of steel railings to all of the fishing docks. The… more
Shelley Pond Receives Hatchery Rainbow Trout for the First Time
| idfg-cwatkins
Located along the Snake River, about 2 miles west of Shelley, this 12 acre fishing pond bears the community namesake. The pond has traditionally provided some limited fishing opportunity when fish are entrained during high spring runoff, but has not received a consistent supply of fish over time.
After… more
Blackfoot man loses hunting and trapping privileges for numerous wildlife crimes
| idfg-staff
Gage Allen of Blackfoot, after reaching a plea agreement with the Bingham County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, was sentenced June 24 for various wildlife crimes dating back to 2007. In January of 2019, Allen was charged with numerous wildlife violations, including four felony charges related to illegally trapping and… more
The Clearwater River Fisheries Working Group
| idfg-jdupont
The Clearwater River Fisheries Working Group and its Members
The Clearwater River in Idaho is widely known for its amazing fishing opportunities for steelhead and Chinook Salmon. Some of the fisheries, like the steelhead fishery, have been occurring for years and attract people from around the world,… more
Bridgelip Suckers - How a nongame fish can help guide fisheries management decisions
| idfg-cmcclure
In May of this year, Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) began sampling for Bridgelip Suckers at Williams Lake in Salmon, Idaho. In recent years, home owners and anglers have reported observing suckers in the lake. It is not known if Bridgelip Suckers have always been present in Williams Lake or if… more
Large-scale wildlife research projects continue throughout north Idaho
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho research crews are busy working on several concurrent research projects to improve monitoring capabilities for big game in forested landscapes and determine how large predator and ungulate populations affect each other. Based on those interactions, managers will decide what actions would be most effective… more
New Disabled American Veteran discounts for muzzleloader and archery permits take effect July 1
| idfg-bpearson
A new law that takes effect July 1 reduces the archery and muzzleloader permit fees specifically for Disabled American Veterans. Only holders of Disabled American Veteran licenses are eligible for the discounted permits.
The new fees for both permit types are $3.75 for resident and $5.75 for nonresident… more
Upper Salmon River Chinook Salmon Fishing Report
| idfg-bbeller
The 2020 Upper Salmon River Chinook fishery opened this past Friday, June 26.
Angler effort on opening day was high with anglers spread out throughout the fishery area. Over the weekend, the majority of anglers were observed fishing downstream of the Yankee Fork Salmon River, and poor weather on Sunday… more
Salmon Region waters to be stocked with trout in July
| 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 35,… more
Boise River WMA Archery Range Now Open
| idfg-eoneale
The popular 3-D archery range at Boise River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is now open. As Governor Little's Idaho Rebounds plan continues to evolve, range guests are asked to adhere to proper social distancing standards and use hand sanitizer often while at the range.