Press Releases and Articles
Fish and Game will host meetings on administrative rules for fishing on April 17-26
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game will host a series of public meetings in April about administrative rule changes. These proposed changes are likely to have insignificant or no effects on the average angler, but in accordance with state law and for transparency, the department will provide several meetings for public comment from… more
Winter conditions extending into spring can be extremely stressful to wildlife
| idfg-tthompson
As the daytime temperatures start to warm in April, Idahoans are anxiously looking forward to spending time in the sunshine, often walking their dogs while exploring the opportunities that warmer spring weather brings.
However, when lingering winter weather extends into spring and an abundance of snow is yet to… more
Yellow 'banana trout' stocked at Mann Lake early April
| idfg-jbruns
Fish and Game staff is using an unusual looking trout to provide a unique fishing opportunity at Mann Lake near Lewiston. Approximately 5,400 of these bright yellow beauties were stocked into this popular fishing destination early April.
Like albinos, the fish, known as "yellow" or "banana" trout are rainbow… more
Instructor-led hunter education courses coming up in Southwest Idaho
| idfg-bpearson
Southwest Idaho currently has nine instructor-led courses with open seats that are slated to start in the next few months, with more to come. Among the upcoming offerings in the Southwest Region are Hunter Education Certification (including hybrid and 2-day options), Hunter/Bowhunter Combo Education Certification,… more
April 11: Upper Salmon River Weekly Steelhead Fishing Report
| idfg-staff
Steelhead angler effort started to shift upstream during the past week on the upper Salmon River. Angler effort was highest in location code 17, between the Lemhi and Pahsimeroi rivers, and the largest increase in angler effort was observed upstream of Challis. Angler effort downstream of North Fork in location code 15… more
Dust off the fishing rod and plan your next family fishing outing this spring
| idfg-cliess
Old man winter is finally hitting the bricks, and as the temperatures creep up, fish get a little more active and Idaho Fish and Game stocking trucks start delivering more fish across the state.
Maybe ol’ Saint Nick delivered a new fishing pole to a kid during Christmas, or your trusty old fishing rod has… more
Deadline to comment on Draft Pronghorn Management Plan extended until April 16
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking comments on its Draft Pronghorn Management Plan 2023-2028. The plan will provide guidance for staff to implement management actions that will aid in the protection and management of pronghorn populations and guide harvest recommendations.
The plan identifies major issues that… more
Fish and Game officer shoots dog for chasing and killing a deer in Pocatello
| idfg-staff
In the early evening on April 10, 2023, an Idaho Fish and Game conservation officer shot and killed a dog for chasing and killing a deer in south Pocatello.
The officer was responding to an unrelated wildlife call in a neighborhood off of South 5th Avenue when he was approached by several members of the public… more
Kootenai River anglers: Get your creel packets turned in by May 1 for a chance to win some great prizes!
| idfg-tjross
If you are one of the many anglers who participated in the 2023 Kootenai River Angler Science Program, thank you for investing time and energy into helping us. Information collected by all of you will help us manage the burbot fishery in the Kootenai River.
Handguns 101 skills course will be hosted at the Farragut Shooting Range Center in the Panhandle Region on May 6
| idfg-tjross
Idaho Fish and Game staff along with NRA certified instructors will again be teaching Handguns 101 – A Fundamentals Workshop on May 6 at the Farragut Shooting Range Center in Athol.
The class is geared toward new or potential gun owners with little or no experience with handguns.
Brand new youth archery league beginning in May at the Farragut Shooting Range Center in North Idaho
| idfg-tjross
Idaho Fish and Game is pleased to offer a unique opportunity for youth ages 10-16: Introduction to Youth Archery!
Grizzly and black bears are coming out of hibernation, and here’s some helpful tips for how to live and recreate in bear country
| idfg-tjross
North Idaho is home to both grizzly and black bears, and nearly all of Idaho has black bears. Each spring, they emerge from hibernation ready to feast and pack on fat for next winter. Unfortunately, this insatiable appetite can often land them in areas and situations where public safety is at risk. But there are some… more
Juvenile mountain lion caught in residential chicken coop in Hailey
| idfg-tthompson
A juvenile mountain lion was caught in the Woodside subdivision in Hailey after it got into a chicken coop, late in the evening on April 7. That evening, Blaine County Dispatch received a call from a Hailey resident saying they had heard a disturbance in their chicken coop. The homeowner investigated, and when finding… more
Mule deer near Homedale tests positive for bluetongue virus
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game received a positive detection for bluetongue — a virus transmitted by gnats that is similar to Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) — in a yearling, male mule deer collected west of Homedale along the Snake River. The carcass was collected March 12 after a landowner reported seeing three dead deer.… more
Coyote conflicts with off-leash dogs continue in the Boise foothills
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game recently received a report of coyotes attacking a dog in the Boise Foothills. Wildlife managers and enforcement staff are monitoring the situation closely. To keep people and their pets safe, Fish and Game is recommending that recreationists with dogs avoid the area for the next few weeks. … more
F&G Commission will meet via conference call on Thursday, April 13 at 9 a.m. MDT
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game Commission is scheduled to hold a special conference call on Thursday, April 13 at 9 a.m. MDT. People can attend in person at Fish and Game’s Headquarters Office at 600 S. Walnut in Boise or visit a regional office to listen in.
The special meeting will not include a public hearing, and no… more
Winter feeding update for the Southeast Region (04/07/2023)
| idfg-jjackson
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game with input from the Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee (WFAC) initiated the feeding of deer and elk at several locations in the Southeast Region beginning in early February.
Approximately 30 tons of deer feed is currently being distributed to 23 authorized… more
Don’t let an extended winter put a damper on your turkey hunting kickoff
| idfg-cliess
Spring turkey hunting season is upon us, despite what the view outside our windows may indicate. This seemingly eternal winter has been one for Idaho’s record books and will no doubt shake up this year’s spring turkey hunt.
That is, however, not a reason to sound the alarm and hang up the shotgun until… more