Press Releases and Articles
Diverse partnerships protect and enhance one of Eastern Idaho's premier trout streams
| idfg-cwatkins
No matter what their connection is to a river, people are what fisheries management is all about. A common saying in resource management is that “it’s as much about the fish as it is about the people involved." That's also what you will hear folks say who are restoring the historic Blackfoot River's cutthroat trout… more
Citizen Shooting Range Advisory Committee Meeting - February 24, 2021
| idfg-scassinelli
Citizen Shooting Range Advisory Committee
Meeting and Agenda
Wednesday, February 24, 2021, 6 p.m. MST
Idaho Fish and Game Southwest Regional Office
15950 N. Gate Boulevard, Nampa, ID
Live stream via Zoom… more
Spring steelhead anglers: Remember reduced steelhead bag limits
| idfg-bpearson
Steelhead anglers are reminded that Fish and Game commissioners extended the reduced bag and possession limits for the 2021 spring steelhead season, which started January 1.
Daily steelhead bag limits are two daily and six in possession statewide. Only adipose fin-clipped steelhead may be harvested.
… more
Spring offers big steelhead fishing opportunities in smaller rivers
| idfg-rphillips
Steelhead have spent most of the winter holed up in deep water waiting to make their final push upstream, and late winter and spring is when it happens. Anglers looking to cure cabin fever can get an early start on their fishing season, as well as catch one of Idaho's most prized fish.
… more
How does my hunt unit look for deer and elk? Biologists have many ways to know the answer
| idfg-jpowell
Fish and Game wildlife biologists are often asked “how does the deer/elk count look in Unit X?” While this may seem like a simple question, answering it can be difficult and expensive to quantify, but biologists have a variety of tools for monitoring herds and tracking population changes.
Many people… more
Winter Newsletter Available
| idfg-sfocht
The winter edition of Idaho Naturalist News is available. Check out the accomplishments of Idaho Master Naturalists in 2020 along with news and updates from around the state.
Angling for better fish habitat – Idaho will benefit from new national bass tournament
| idfg-mkoenig
A new national bass fishing amateur tournament initiated by Bass Pro Shops will designate proceeds to the National Fish Habitat Partnership, which works to conserve fish habitat nationwide, including Idaho projects.
The habitat partnership leverages federal, state, tribal, and private funding resources to… more
Stocking of donated rainbow trout continues throughout the Magic Valley
| idfg-tthompson
The donation of thousands of large rainbow trout from local fish producer Riverence continued during the week of February 8 – 12 in waters throughout the Magic Valley. These fish came from the local fish producer in Filer who has watched the demand for their restaurant-grade trout go down during the pandemic. Current… more
Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officer awarded Idaho Medal of Honor
| idfg-skiefer
The Idaho Medal of Honor Commission announced on Feb. 10 that Idaho Fish and Game Senior Conservation Officer Randy Martinez is among six Idaho law enforcement officers awarded the Idaho Medal Of Honor.
The medal is the state’s highest honor for bravery and exceptional courage. It is awarded to first… more
Wolf trapper and trapper education courses scheduled in Salmon
| idfg-mdemick
Fish and Game will host a wolf trapper and a trapper education course in Salmon on Sunday, Feb. 28.
The wolf trapper course will be held from 8 a.m. to noon. Topics include wolf behavior and management, trapping and snaring techniques, harvest reporting requirements and proper hide care. Effective equipment,… more
Volunteers collect native seed on their own to make future planting projects possible in 2021
| idfg-kpappani
What did the volunteer-based program do during COVID to collect essential, locally adapted seed for fire restoration projects when large, collective group gatherings were no longer permissible? Volunteers struck out on their own to collect seed one bag at a time. There were also a few individuals collecting seed with… more
Fish and Game to offer wolf trapper education class in Jerome
| idfg-tthompson
The Magic Valley Region will be offering a wolf trapper education class on March 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at their new Hunter Education facility at the Jerome regional office. Class size is limited to 12 students. Registration for the class is online only by visiting www.idfg.idaho.gov under the education tab. No walk-… more
Fish and Game biologists treat sick cow moose for a second time in Hailey
| idfg-tthompson
In early December 2020, Fish and Game was notified by residents of Hailey of a cow moose that appeared to have a severe case of conjunctivitis in both eyes. Local Fish and Game officers darted the moose and applied antibiotics in an attempt to clear up the eye infection. A GPS collar was also placed on the moose… more
Panhandle can still have ice fishing opportunities in a mild winter
| idfg-rryan
Few winters in the Panhandle of Idaho are the same. Some are cold and snowy, while others are warm and wet. Mild and relatively dry seems to be the pattern for the winter of 2020-21. Current conditions are somewhat discouraging for those hardy anglers who look forward to the winter months and the unique fishing… more
Female mountain lion harvest season closed in Unit 36B near Challis
| idfg-mdemick
Mountain lion hunters should note that the harvest season for female mountain lion has closed in game management unit 36B near Challis, as the harvest quota of two females was reached on Tuesday, February 9, 2021.
Hunters will be allowed to keep female mountain lions taken prior to this closure, but must… more
Elk causing concern for motorists in the Sugar City area
| idfg-jbrower
For the third year in a row, a large group of elk have moved from their historic wintering area in Teton Canyon and have followed the river down towards Sugar City and Rexburg. The elk have been sighted near the junction of Highway 20 and Highway 33 and are a cause for concern to passing motorists.… more
Fish and Game Seeks Input on Upcoming Big Game Hunting Seasons
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game wants to hear from big game hunters about proposed changes for the 2021 and 2022 seasons for deer, elk, pronghorn, mountain lion, black bear and wolf.
Fish and Game will not hold regular open house meetings, but the easiest way for hunters to review the proposals and provide their… more
Surplus trout will be stocked Feb. 10-17 in the Southwest Region
| idfg-eoneale
The COVID pandemic and the subsequent slowing of the economy have produced at least one silver lining for southern Idaho anglers: more trout to catch.
Riverence Trout Farm, located in Filer, Idaho has watched the demand for their restaurant-grade trout dramatically dwindle during the pandemic. The fish can’t… more