Press Releases and Articles
Henrys Lake angler hoists new state record trout out of ice
| idfg-cliess
Most anglers that wind up atop the Idaho state record fish leaderboards do so out of pure luck. But Robert Gregory’s story goes a little different.
Yellowstone cutthroat trout aren’t your run-of-the-mill trout. They are one of Idaho’s three native subspecies of cutthroat trout and are found almost… more
Second application period for nonresident general season deer/elk tags is February. 5-15
| idfg-rphillips
Nonresident hunters interested in applying for the remaining general season deer and elk hunts can apply in the second drawing from Feb. 5 through Feb. 15.
Hunters are encouraged to review the Big Game Seasons and Rules brochure for details about the general season tags. Hunters should know the deer Game… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for February 2026 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 6,400 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in February. The stocking date and numbers of fish are approximate.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns); dates… more
River Otter Season Closure – Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
The river otter harvest quota of 20 otters for the Clearwater Region was reached on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. In accordance with regulations, the otter trapping season for the entire region will close 72 hours after the quota is met, at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Trappers may retain otters legally… more
New property acquisition expands Tex Creek WMA by 280 acres
| idfg-jbrower
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved the purchase of 280 acres during its November meeting, expanding the Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in eastern Idaho. Funding for the acquisition was provided by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, onX, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game license dollars. The… more
Timber harvest planned to improve wildlife habitat and forest health at Farragut Wildlife Management Area
| idfg-tjross
A multi-benefit forest management timber harvest is scheduled to begin soon at the Farragut Wildlife Management Area and will be completed as quickly as possible.
The harvest will take place south of East Perimeter Road and west of North Perimeter Road and is designed to:
increase… more
Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant application period open Feb. 1 through April 30
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation is accepting applications for its 2026 grants cycle. The grants program provides funding on a competitive basis to nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Grants up to $10,000 per project are available.
To qualify for grants, projects generally address one or… more
Annual Sportsmen Against Hunger Event Scheduled Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 in Chubbuck
| idfg-jjackson
Do you want to do something “wild” to benefit the Idaho Foodbank in southeast Idaho? Head on over to the 19th Annual Sportsmen Against Hunger event on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at the C-A-L Ranch store in Chubbuck. This free event runs from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day. Funds raised will help feed families,… more
Public invited to free screening of Outdoor Idaho’s “Doing Good in the Great Outdoors” Feb. 10 in Pocatello
| idfg-jjackson
Join Idaho Public Television, Idaho Fish and Game, Idaho Trails Association, and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers for a special screening event of a selection from the Outdoor Idaho episode, Doing Good in the Great Outdoors.
This free event will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at the Bengal Theater on… more
Important dates to help plan your February
| idfg-cliess
From tags sales to season closures, there’s a lot happening in Idaho during February that you should be aware of. Staying in the loop can be the difference between applying for that coveted controlled hunt tag and watching from the sidelines.
Be sure to stay up to date on all Fish and Game happenings. Here are… more
Statewide trout stocking highlights for February 2026
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 10,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this February. 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
Applications for spring turkey controlled hunts open Feb. 1
| idfg-cliess
Turkey hunters looking to apply for 2026 spring controlled turkey hunts can apply from Feb. 1 to March 1. See the full list of 2026 spring controlled hunts below.
NOTE: During the January 2026 Commission meeting (watch below), the Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved the 2026-2027 Upland Game, Turkey,… more
Idaho Fish and Game seeking members for working group to help develop angling regulations for the Big Wood River trout fishery
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Idaho Fish and Game in the Magic Valley are seeking members for a new angling regulation advisory working group that will help develop angling regulation recommendations on the Big Wood River in south central Idaho. These recommendations will inform proposal development by staff to be shared with the Idaho Fish and… more
Fish and Game advise area residents to use caution after group of coyotes fatally attack a dog in Sun Valley
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers in the Magic Valley Region received a report on Wednesday that a group of coyotes attacked and killed a dog at a residence earlier this week in the Elkhorn area in Sun Valley.
Fish and Game is also aware of additional reports from area residents describing… more
Upcoming instructor-led hunter education classes in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
For those looking to hunt in Idaho this year, the Magic Valley Region has several instructor-led hunter education classes open for registration, with more opportunities coming available in the months ahead. Completing a hunter education class now paves the way for many exciting opportunities in the 2026 hunting season… more
Fruitland angler catches new state record rainbow trout at Dworshak Reservoir
| idfg-rphillips
On Jan. 13, while many of Idaho’s anglers were breaking out the tape measure to check ice thicknesses and temperature gauges, one angler at Dworshak Reservoir had his tape measure out for a different reason.
Todd Phillips of Fruitland was taking advantage of some breaks in the cloudy weather while fishing… more
Fish and Game to capture and GPS-collar elk calves to support long-term elk management in North Idaho
| idfg-tjross
To many people, the idea of using a helicopter to locate, capture and place a GPS collar on an elk may sound like something out of a nature documentary. For Idaho Fish and Game wildlife biologists, however, it is an important and carefully planned part of managing elk herds and ensuring continued hunting opportunities… more
Ice fishing in the Salmon Region is heating up
| idfg-bkelly
Winter weather finally showed up, and the ice fishing bite arrived with it. Anglers near Salmon can choose their own adventure as fishable ice has set up on Johnson Pond, Hyde Pond, and Williams Lake. Johnson and Hyde ponds are perfect family fishing options as they offer easy access and high catch rates of rainbow… more