Press Releases and Articles
Enjoy encounters with mountain goats, but keep a safe distance
| Anonymous (not verified)
Fish and Game was recently notified of hikers displaying some inappropriate behavior when it comes to interactions with mountain goats, such as taking close-up selfies with these sharp-horned beasts. We know how cool it is to be outdoors hiking and see a mountain goat. It’s an experience that you will never forget! … more
Black bear breaks into zoo, gets a Fish and Game escort back to the wild
| idfg-jjackson
Bear breaks into zoo: it sounds like the punchline of a joke, but it recently happened at Zoo Idaho in Pocatello, and Fish and Game conservation officers had a unique situation on their hands.
Early morning on July 3, a wild black bear was discovered inside the zoo perimeter by zoo staff… more
Be bear aware this huckleberry season
| Anonymous (not verified)
It's that time of year again, the huckleberries are arriving! If you’re anything like me you can’t wait to get outdoors in search of those delicious berries. But before you head out the door, here are a few reminders to try and make your berry picking experience a little safer.
I would say bears love… more
Fish and Game moves grizzly bear that was repeatedly seen near campground
| idfg-jbrower
Fish and Game personnel trapped a sub-adult male grizzly bear from the Mill Creek Campground in Island Park on July 11 after receiving multiple reports of a bear in, or close to, the campground and a nearby subdivision.
The bear appeared to have lost some of its natural fear of humans, which is… more
July 10: Chinook salmon fishing update for the Clearwater River, Rapid River, and Hells Canyon
| idfg-jdupont
This will be my last Chinook update for these fisheries as they either have closed down or anglers have lost interest due to poor catch rates. I know this season was a bit of a disappointment as we would all like to see much higher returns, but by using rules recommended by anglers, we were able to… more
2018 deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, and turkey controlled hunt drawing results available
| idfg-staff
Hunters can check to see if they drew controlled hunt tags for deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, and turkey. Results are posted through Fish and Game's licensing system at https://idfg.idaho.gov/buy-online for those who already have an account.
Those without an online license system account can get step-by-… more
Chinook Salmon in the Boise River
| idfg-vosborn
Idaho Fish and Game released 100 hatchery spring Chinook salmon into the Boise River on Thursday, July 5. The salmon were released at five locations – Glenwood Bridge, Americana, Boise State, Park Center and Barber Park. At some of the locations anglers were already waiting for the fish to hit the water.
… more
Lake Pend Oreille Walleye Update
| idfg-adux
There is a toothy new predator in northern Idaho’s largest lake. Walleye, which were essentially non-existent in the lake ten years ago, have become increasingly abundant, to the point where they are now a significant player in the fishery. Lake Pend Oreille has long been known for its trophy rainbow trout and bull… more
July 3: Chinook fishing update for the Clearwater River, Rapid River, and Hells Canyon seasons
| idfg-jdupont
Hi everybody. It’s time for updates on the Clearwater River, Rapid River and Hells Canyon Chinook Salmon fisheries (7/3/18). I’m going to keep this update fairly short as these fisheries are winding down and people are starting to focus their interests elsewhere. There will be no additional closures… more
Upper Salmon River between Idaho 93 and Idaho 75 to close to Chinook fishing July 7
| idfg-rphillips
Based on information available as of July 3, Fish and Game fisheries managers estimate the sport fishery harvest for Chinook on a portion of the Upper Salmon River between the Highway 93 bridge located 0.3 miles south near Challis upstream to the posted boundary below Sawtooth hatchery will meet the harvest share by… more
South Fork Salmon River to close for Chinook fishing July 5
| idfg-rphillips
Based on harvest information and catch rates available as of July 3, Fish and Game Bureau of Fisheries and Regional fishery managers estimate that sport fishery harvest for Chinook Salmon on the South Fork Salmon River will meet objectives by the end of fishing hours on July 5, 2018, at which time the fishing season… more
The time is near! Be ready to look up your own controlled hunt results.
| idfg-jtjaden
The word is out and most of you know by now, but just in case you haven’t heard the news in the past few months, on March 1st of this year Idaho Department of Fish & Game brought on a new licensing vendor. Our new licensing system went “live” on March 1st, just a few hours after our old vendor’s contract expired… more
F&G officers continuing search for injured grizzly bear near Kilgore
| idfg-jbrower
On Friday, June 29, Idaho Fish… more
Mink Play at MK Nature Center
| idfg-sfocht
The MK Nature Center did not have fawns this year, but now that July approaches, we are pleased to announce a family of beavers, mink, and owls have made the Nature Center home. The grounds are open dawn until dusk 7 days a week. Early mornings and mid-evenings seem to be the best wildlife viewing times. The sturgeon… more
Section of Clearwater River will reopen for Chinook fishing on July 7
| idfg-rphillips
The section of Clearwater River from the Cherrylane Bridge to Orofino Bridge will reopen to Chinook fishing on July 7. The section will reopen on a Saturday, which is midway through the regular four-days a week season.
The section was closed on June 10 to spread Chinook angling opportunity to other… more
Capped resident elk tags go on sale July 10 and July 12
| idfg-mdemick
Resident hunters wanting to purchase a general season elk tag in a capped zone will need to keep two dates in mind in July.
On Tuesday, July 10, all resident capped elk zone tags, except for the Sawtooth Zone, go on sale at 10 a.m. (MDT) at Fish and Game offices, license vendors, with a credit card at Fish and… more
Fish and Game adds section of Upper Salmon River near Ellis for Chinook fishing
| idfg-rphillips
Fish and Game will add another stretch of the Upper Salmon River open to Chinook fishing starting on July 7 in the section from the Colston Corner boat ramp upstream to the posted boundary approximately 50 yards upstream of the mouth of the Pahsimeroi River.
There is currently a harvestable surplus of… more
Chinook scheduled to be released into the Boise River for anglers on July 5
| idfg-rphillips
With catch rates, angler effort and harvest slowing dramatically in the Little Salmon River, Fish and Game staff will transfer Rapid River hatchery Chinook in excess of broodstock needs to the Boise River on July 5. The initial plan is to stock about 100 "jacks," which are Chinook smaller than 24 inches in length, and… more