Press Releases and Articles
Birds of the Payette National Forest Presentation Available for Viewing
| idfg-sfocht
Dan Richards, a seasoned Wildlife Technician for the Payette National Forest recorded and entertaining and informative presentation on birds and birding in the Payette National Forest. Even if you do not reside in central Idaho, this presentation would be applicable and interesting to you. Thank you to the McCall… more
Upper Snake Fisheries Newsletter April 2020
| idfg-jbrower
Henrys Lake Spawn 2020 By Jenn Vincent - Regional Fisheries Biologist
Each year, hundreds of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout (YCT) are spawned at the Henrys Lake. We collect eggs from female YCT and milt from males YCT to create our YCT brood-stock. Sterile Hybrid Trout (HYB) are… more
Rapid River Hatchery Chinook and Natural Origin Chinook: The Same but Different
| idfg-sputnam
The Salmon River fish trap, located near Twin Bridges north of Riggins, has been providing valuable salmon data for more than three decades. Specifically, the trap captures juvenile Chinook salmon (known as smolts) as they migrate to the ocean in the spring. A subset of the fishes is PIT-tagged. The small glass-… more
F&G officer spots grizzly bear tracks about 7 miles south of Grangeville in April
| idfg-rphillips
Fresh grizzly bear tracks were confirmed by a Fish and Game conservation officer in the Fish Creek Meadows winter recreation area about 7 miles south of Grangeville on April 18, 2020. Fish and Game officials warn hunters and recreationists to be Bear Aware because it is uncertain if the grizzly is still in the… more
Hunters and hikers urged to be 'Bear Aware' as they head into the field this spring
| idfg-jbrower
As the days get longer and the snow begins to subside, both hunters and bears are becoming more active across Idaho. Hunters and hikers need to take a few extra precautions when recreating in bear country. "We are definitely seeing both grizzlies and black bears coming out of their dens and becoming active across… more
How to exchange an elk tag online
| idfg-imalepeai
Every year hunters return over-the-counter elk tags, including the highly sought after capped zone tags. Fish and Game staff have created a transparent process to provide these returned tags on a first come, first serve basis. Returned tags are sold the second and fourth Thursday of each month… more
Sagebrush-steppe Chapter Webinars Available for Viewing
| idfg-sfocht
The following links will take you to the Sagebrush-steppe Chapter webinars presented in 2020. These videos had previously been posted separately and have been consolodated here for your convenience.
Reptiles https://www.dropbox.com/s/r4hb23luf6mne1d/GMT20200331-151130_Reptiles-a_1920x1080.mp4?dl=0
… more
Cow elk and white-tailed doe shot near Blanchard-Elk Road on state border
| Anonymous (not verified)
Blanchard, Idaho- A cow elk and white-tailed doe were illegally shot near the Idaho, Washington border the night of April 17. Officials are asking anyone with information to call the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline at 1-800-632-5999. A reward of up to $2,500 is available for information that leads to a citation.… more
Spring Chinook Salmon Fishing Update 4/20/2020
| idfg-jdupont
Hi everybody. The spring Chinook Salmon season in Idaho opens this weekend! I have remained silent on the details of this fishery because there has been a lot of uncertainty with the outbreak of COVID-19. However, with the season opening on April 25, I figured I couldn’t wait any longer before… more
Chinook fishing season opens April 25, but few fish are in Idaho yet
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho’s spring Chinook salmon fishing season opens April 25, but early indications show the fish appear to be social distancing on their own. As of April 19, only six fish had crossed Lower Granite Dam, which is about 25 miles downstream of Lewiston, and the last dam the fish cross before reaching Idaho.… more
Idaho’s black bears will soon be emerging from their winter dens
| idfg-tthompson
It appears that we are well on our way towards spring. With plants starting to break their long winter dormancy, wildlife will soon be doing the same. Black bears that live in south-central Idaho and other parts of the state are waking up, and they will be very hungry.
After spending… more
First field season wrapping up on Steelhead Study
| idfg-bbowersox
Written by Will Lubenau, University of Idaho
As steelhead fishing begins to wrap up for this spring, we wanted to provide an update on the University of Idaho steelhead catch-and-release study. Like many things, the study has been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Tagging that was occurring at Lower Granite… more
Take a walk on the wild side with Nature BINGO
| idfg-jjackson
Looking for something to make your next outdoor excursion a little more fun... even if you only venture as far as your backyard? Take along a nature BINGO card! (Use the one shown here or get creative and make your own.)
As you and your family hit the trails or explore your neighborhood, look… more
New catch/release record bull trout from the Panhandle
| idfg-mkoenig
Congratulations to Sawyer Livesey of Post Falls, Idaho on setting a new catch/release record for Bull Trout. Sawyer caught the monster while fishing the Kootenai River near Bonner's Ferry on April 8. This 30.5-inch bull trout was long enough to beat the previous 29-inch record set just last… more
Winter survival for radio-collared mule deer fawns and elk calves tracking above average
| idfg-bpearson
Statewide winter survival of radio-collared mule deer fawns and elk calves was above average through the end of March, and Fish and Game officials are optimistic that those numbers will continue on their current trajectory through the end of the monitoring period on June 1.
“In terms of winter survival, it… more
You can still go fishing during COVID-19 restrictions, so get out and enjoy spring
| idfg-rphillips
Taking the dangers of COVID-19 seriously and going fishing are not mutually exclusive, and in Idaho, most people can fish close to home. COVID-19 has created many challenges for Idahoans, but fortunately, we don’t have to stop fishing during beautiful spring weather.
Here are some tips to keep… more
Lamprey back in the Potlatch River
| idfg-bknoth
Is it an eel? Is it a snake? No, it’s a Pacific Lamprey! Lamprey are eel-like primitive fishes that lack the jaws and paired fins of true fishes. Their migrations have some similarities to Salmon in that they are born in freshwater and also spend time in the ocean growing to adults. But, there are some… more
F&G commission sets migratory game bird seasons for 2020-21
| idfg-bpearson
During a conference call on April 16, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission set the 2020-21 Migratory Game Bird seasons, including waterfowl, mourning dove, American crow and sandhill crane.
Hunters will be able to find exact season dates, zone maps, and shooting hours in Idaho Migratory Game Bird 2020-2021… more