Press Releases and Articles
Clearwater Region Highlights of 2020: Moose Creek reservoir vegetation removal shows positive results
| idfg-jbruns
Water levels at Moose Creek Reservoir were drawn down in an attempt to reduce the amount of vegetation around the docks and shoreline. The hope was this would make fishing and boating more accessible for anglers. Surveys this summer of 2020 were promising, as vegetation covered much less of the reservoir, especially… more
Upland bird hunting opportunities stretch through the end of January
| idfg-bpearson
By the time winter rolls around in Idaho, many of the state’s hunting seasons have closed, but for hunters who aren’t quite ready to pack it in for the year, early winter can be an excellent time to hunt for upland birds, particularly chukar, quail and gray (Hungarian) partridge.
“Idaho offers a diversity of… more
Dec. 30 is the deadline to comment on moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat season proposals
| idfg-bpearson
In addition to the virtual open houses that have wrapped up for the moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat season setting process, Fish and Game staff from each region are holding evening call-in sessions to answer questions about the proposals through Dec. 29.
Hunters who were unable to attend a virtual… more
Lake Cascade ice fishing conditions update: Dec. 17, 2020
| idfg-mthomas
Anglers are enjoying favorable ice conditions on Lake Cascade as we entered the second half of December. On Thursday, Dec. 17, we visited major ice fishing access areas and measured ice depth up to 300 yards from shore. We did not measure ice depth beyond 300 yards. We recorded 8 inches of ice on the… more
Meridian angler lands new record Lahontan cutthroat trout
| idfg-mkoenig
Jordan Rodriguez of Meridian with a 2.27-pound Lahontan cutthroat trout from Grazmere Reservoir, which landed him a new certified weight state record.With winter finally here, you might have thought we were done with new record fish for a while. Nope, not yet!
Avid angler Jordan Rodriguez of Meridian… more
F&G Commission meeting via conference call Dec. 22
| idfg-bpearson
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet by conference call Tuesday, Dec. 22 to consider a rulemaking petition from the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association regarding the statewide limit for outfitter set-aside deer and elk tags, which includes:
Temporary rulemaking (subject to Governor’s Office… more
Potential fungal infection may have caused duck deaths near Salmon
| idfg-mdemick
While laboratory test results are pending on the dead ducks found south of Salmon, preliminary necropsies sent to the National Wildlife Health Center indicate a potential acute Aspergillosis infection, a respiratory illness caused by a fungus commonly found in soil, dead vegetation, compost piles and moldy grains.… more
Becker Pond produces state record tiger trout
| idfg-jbrower
Congratulations to Gatlynn Mayes for hooking into this huge, 4.8-pound tiger trout from Becker Pond in Idaho Falls and setting the new certified weight record for the species. Mayes brought in the 24-inch long tiger on Dec. 16 to be weighed and measured after a day of ice fishing with his… more
Idaho’s wildlife collision salvage rule: what can you salvage?
| idfg-kowens
In spring 2012, the wildlife collision salvage rule went into effect in Idaho. This rule allows individuals to keep road-killed wildlife species classified as upland birds, upland game animals, big game, furbearers, and predators that may be lawfully hunted or trapped. Unprotected nongame wildlife are also legal for… more
Extend your season -- five reasons to hunt small game this winter
| idfg-jbruns
Although most big game seasons are wrapped up for the year, there are open hunting seasons for small game throughout the winter months. North-central Idaho has some great woodland-agriculture interfaces that provide excellent habitat for small game animals, such as squirrel, rabbit, hare and grouse.
… more
Every year is different: Steelhead grad study update
| idfg-bbowersox
Written by Will Lubenau, University of Idaho
As we near the end of the year, it is a good time for another update on the University of Idaho and Idaho Fish and Game steelhead study. Lately, we have been comparing tag reports from the two years of the study to look for differences in where, when, and how many… more
Idaho Fisheries Blogs: Biggest Bites of 2020
| idfg-bbowersox
This year has been unusual, to say the very least. Our personal and professional schedules were changed in pretty big ways, but we hope you still managed to get outdoors to some of your favorite spots in Idaho.
To help get you motivated this year, the Fisheries staff put out a variety of stories about… more
More mountain lion season closures take effect in southeast Idaho
| idfg-jjackson
Mountain lion take season closures have occurred in several southeast Idaho game management units this month, with new closure orders effective December 15, 2020. The specifics regarding these closures for affected units are as follows:
Units 71, 72, and 74
The take season for male mountain… more
Hunter comments wanted for moose, sheep, and mountain goat season proposals
| idfg-mdemick
Hunters now have the opportunity to view and comment on the proposed 2021-22 hunting seasons for moose, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep in the Salmon Region, and hear more from regional Fish and Game staff about the proposals.
Hunters can review the 2021-22 season proposals and provide comments online at… more
Habitat restoration the old fashioned way
| idfg-efelts
Habitat restoration is a big part of enhancing Wild Salmon and Steelhead in Idaho. This work often occurs in areas where the landscape and streams have been negatively affected by human activities. However, some areas in Idaho have had much less human influence, and in those locations natural process are still… more
F&G seeks public help in solving Idaho poaching cases
| idfg-scassinelli
Over the course of the 2020 hunting season, Idaho Fish and Game has responded to separate poaching incidents where animals were shot and killed and left to waste in areas around the state. Conservation officers investigate these cases but rely on the eyes and ears of the public to help solve crimes against Idaho’… more
Upland game bird permits required to hunt pheasants at release locations through Dec 31
| idfg-jbruns
Although December 18 marks the last of the scheduled pheasant releases throughout the Clearwater region, pheasant season runs through the end of December. An upland game bird permit and online sign-up is still required through December 31 to hunt pheasants at stocked Clearwater region locations.… more
Take season for male mountain lions closed in two southeast Idaho game management units
| idfg-jjackson
The take season for male mountain lions has closed in Game Management Units 66A and 76 in southeast Idaho effective December 8, 2020. Please note the following in relation to mountain lion hunting in these two units:
These units are still open to harvest for female mountain lions only, consistent with limits… more