Press Releases and Articles
Live in Idaho Waters Part 2: Everybody loves a sucker
| idfg-bbowersox
In our first installment of “Live in Idaho Waters” we talked about the diminutive and camouflaged sculpin. The next group of Idaho native non-game fish get bigger and are easier to observe, the suckers. These native species are often mis-understood and sometimes disliked; but their appreciation is increasing amongst… more
F&G receives $209K federal grant to provide access for hunting, fishing and other recreation
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho hunters and anglers can expect to see an increase in public access to private land as early as this fall through Fish and Game’s Access Yes! program, thanks to a $209,000 federal grant recently awarded to the department.
The $209,000 grant will allow for the continued expansion of Fish and Game’s Access… more
The new Idaho wildlife license plates are in! Have a look
| idfg-cliess
Whether you buzz around town in a Tesla or an ’89 F-150, the chance to upgrade your vehicle’s license plate artwork is finally here. The 2024 Idaho wildlife license plates are now available—and they benefit a pretty great cause.
The Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation—a partner of the Idaho Department of… more
Young black bear trapped and relocated from Salmon
| idfg-mdemick
On Thursday, August 8, a black bear was trapped and relocated from within the city limits of Salmon. Bears within the city limits are becoming a fairly regular occurrence due to the high level of unnatural food sources such as bird feeders, grain left out for deer, and unsecured garbage and pet food. … more
Upper Salmon River Chinook Fishery update -8/7/2024
| idfg-gschoby
August 7, 2024
During the last open period of the Upper Salmon River Chinook fishery (August 1 – August 4), angler effort decreased slightly, but the average catch and harvest rates continued to improve. Angler effort was estimated at 429 hours which was about 100 hours lower than the previous week. We estimated… more
New fishing pond created near Salmon
| idfg-mdemick
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is pleased to announce the opening of Johnson Pond to fishing. Johnson Pond is located 8 miles south of Salmon, on the west side of Hwy 93 South.
At nearly 6.5 acres, Johnson Pond is the largest community fishing pond in the Salmon Region. It has recently been stocked… more
2025 nonresident deer/elk tags will go on sale Dec. 10, 2024
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game is changing its sales date for 2025 nonresident deer and elk tags to Dec. 10. The change is intended to allow residents to conveniently buy licenses and permits in early December, ensure auto-renew transactions can be processed in a timely manner, and provide better customer service to buyers.… more
Concerned about fires in your hunting area? Here's what you need to know
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game advises hunters heading into the backcountry this hunting season to check with Forest Service ranger district offices or county sheriffs’ offices for fire closures in their hunt areas. General fire information can be found online.
Hunters can also find the location of fires in relation… more
F&G seeks volunteers from Magic Valley and Upper Snake Regions for Shooting Range Advisory Committee
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public volunteers from the Magic Valley and Upper Snake Regions to serve on a Citizens Shooting Range Advisory Committee that recommends to Fish and Game which public shooting ranges should receive portions of about $500,000 annually in grant funds.
Anyone … more
Fish and Game seeks final public input on 2025-30 Fisheries Management Plan
| idfg-mkoenig
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public comment on its newly revised draft Idaho Fisheries Management Plan for 2025-30. The statewide plan outlines Fish and Game's management direction and is the guiding policy document for fisheries activities over the next six years. Deadline to comment is Aug. 26.
The plan sets… more
Deadline alert: Aug. 10 is the last chance to enter the second Super Hunt drawing
| idfg-rphillips
Deadline for the second Super Hunt drawing is Aug. 10. The second Super Hunt drawing will include tags for two elk, two deer, two pronghorn and one moose hunt. A Super Hunt Combo that includes one tag for each of those species will also be drawn. All winners will be notified in mid-August.
Hunters may enter the… more
Range grant application period is open; deadline is Nov. 1
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game enhances recreational shooting ranges through its Shooting Range Development Grant program to assist organizations or agencies to establish, upgrade, expand, or otherwise improve public firearms and archery ranges in Idaho. The department expects to award more than $500… more
Hunters: As hunting season draws near, now is the perfect time to dial in your bow or firearm
| idfg-cliess
Hunting season will be here before we know it. If you haven’t already, here’s why now is the perfect time to dust off that firearm or bow in preparation for the 2024 season.
F&G fisheries biologist rescues 10-year-old from the Selway River
| idfg-cliess
On the afternoon of July 13, an Idaho Fish and Game biologist was the right person in the right place at the right time to save a 10-year-old boy struggling in the Selway River.
Clearwater Region Fisheries Habitat Biologist Robert Hand was wrapping up a work-related float trip on the Selway River when he… more
August trout 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 6500 catchable-sized rainbow trout at various locations during August. Fish on!
F&G reports loss of young chinook at McCall Hatchery
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game reported a mortality event that resulted in about 33,000 young Chinook dying at the McCall Fish Hatchery in late July. The fish died from a lack of adequate oxygen supply in the rearing unit where they were being held.
The hatchery is rearing about 1.5 million young Chinook that will be… more
Fish & Game capture elk on INL as part of ongoing Unit 63 monitoring project
| idfg-jbrower
In late July, Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) began placing collars on elk on Idaho National Laboratories (INL) lands within Unit 63. A total of 15 elk were successfully captured and fitted with GPS collars that will track their movements and give biologists a window into where they spend their time and how… more
Second big game controlled hunt drawing application period is Aug. 5-15
| idfg-cliess
The application period for Idaho’s second big game controlled hunt drawing runs Aug. 5-15. Any hunter who drew a controlled big game hunt tag has until Aug. 1 to buy it, and those that aren't purchased will be available for a second drawing. To see available big game tags available for the second application period,… more