Press Releases and Articles
F&G seeking comments on migratory game bird hunting season proposals
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the upcoming migratory game bird seasons, including waterfowl, mourning dove, American crow and sandhill crane. Comments will be accepted through April 3.
The public can review the full proposals and comment online on Fish and Game’s public… more
F&G completes land deals in Clearwater Region, securing access for hunters and anglers
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game recently finalized two land deals in the Clearwater Region, preserving access to a stretch of river frontage that is a popular destination for salmon and steelhead anglers, and adding additional access to the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area.
The first agreement was for the purchase… more
Southwest Region Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule - April
| Anonymous (not verified)
Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatchery will be releasing more than 24,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during April.
Fishing is part of a healthy lifestyle and costs very little to get started. An annual fishing license costs around $30, and children under 14 years of age do… more
Application period for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat controlled hunts opens April 1
| idfg-bpearson
The application period for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat controlled hunts begins on April 1 and runs through April 30. Hunters can apply online or by telephone by calling (800) 554-8685.
To apply for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunts, each applicant must possess a 2020 Idaho hunting or… more
Monitoring salmon and steelhead headed to the ocean - the Snake River Smolt Trap
| idfg-sputnam
Each year during the final weeks of February, IDFG crews install a fish trap on the Snake River between Lewiston, ID and Clarkston, WA. The 90-foot trap is tethered to the Interstate Bridge, also known as “The Blue Bridge.” Assembling the trap takes about one week. Click on the video below to see the process.
… more
Recent F&G survey finds increase in mountain goats in the Selkirks since 2001
| idfg-lwolf
In February 2020, Panhandle Fish & Game biologists completed an aerial survey of mountain goats in Unit 1. A total of 57 goats were counted in the Selkirk Mountains, up from 34 goats seen during the last survey in 2001.
The small portion of the Cabinet Mountains in Idaho held… more
F&G commission approves 2020 spring Chinook salmon season
| idfg-bpearson
The Fish and Game Commission on March 20 approved spring Chinook fishing on the Clearwater, Snake, Salmon and Little Salmon rivers to start April 25, 2020 and run until closed by the Fish and Game director.
Full rules will available on Fish and Game’s website soon. Printed rules will be available prior to the… more
Attention elk hunters: If you apply for a controlled elk hunt in 2020, you can not buy a capped elk zone tag until five days after they go on sale
| idfg-rphillips
At its March 20 meeting, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission established a five-day waiting period to purchase capped elk zone tags for any resident who applies for a controlled elk hunt regardless of whether the person draws the controlled hunt tag. Capped elk zone tags go on sale in July.
… more
One golden eagle's amazing journey from Alaska's Arctic to Idaho's Salmon River
| idfg-jbruns
By Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Joel Sauder
Many wildlife species need large landscapes to survive and thrive. Elk often summer at higher elevations and move 10-50 miles to find winter ranges at lower elevations. Songbirds that summer in Idaho can winter in the Southwest US, Mexico, or even further abroad.… more
Online Hunter Education temporarily waives field day, allowing certification to continue uninterrupted
| idfg-imalepeai
In response to updated COVID-19 guidance from Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for public events, Idaho Fish and Game has temporarily waived the requirement to attend an in-person field day for online hunter education certification.
The temporary waiver allows students who complete the online course the… more
March 2020 Farragut Range limited use
| Anonymous (not verified)
The handgun/50 yard range will be unavailable the following dates and times due to private reservations:
March 21, 2020, 1-4 p.m. March 28, 2020, 9 a.m. - noonThe Farragut Public Shooting Range hosts activities that enhance and strengthen the shooting sports. The range is available for reserved use to… more
Black bears are Idaho’s forest bears
| idfg-scassinelli
Most bears we see in Idaho are black bears, and as spring arrives, they will be waking from their winter sleep, leaving their cozy dens to find food. This month’s Wildlife Express covers these surprisingly shy, secretive animals, as well as springtime activities to enjoy outdoors to beat the winter blahs.… more
Idaho Fish and Game cancels events due to COVID-19 virus
| idfg-rphillips
In response to updated guidance from Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for public events, Idaho Fish and Game has canceled several events and limited access to facilities, such as hatcheries. Cancellations are limited to specific events and hunting and fishing seasons are unaffected.
“I am proud of our… more
Winter survival for radio-collared mule deer fawns and elk calves average to slightly above average
| idfg-bpearson
Statewide winter survival of radio-collared mule deer fawns and elk calves was about average to slightly above average through the end of February.
A relatively mild winter in much of the state bolstered survival so far, and early spring weather is arriving in some locations, which means early survival reports… more
Pike removal to continue in sections of Lake Coeur d’Alene
| Anonymous (not verified)
This is a joint press release between Idaho Fish & Game and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.
Biologists with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe will resume gill netting efforts beginning March 16 to reduce northern pike numbers in Windy Bay, Benewah, Chatcolet, Round and Hidden Lakes. In… more
Advisory Committee Meeting (Postponed)
| idfg-staff
The regular meeting of the Fish and Game Advisory Committee is now postponed due to abundance of caution from coronavirus response. The new date and location will be determined at a later date.
The original meeting was planned for March 23, 2020 will not take place.
Agenda (Subject… more
Fish and Game releases Pioneer and Smoky-Bennett zones elk harvest and hunter success numbers
| idfg-tthompson
Idaho Fish and Game has released 2019 hunter harvest numbers and success rates for big game management units across the state. Read more at Harvest, hunter numbers down for deer and elk in 2019.
In southern Idaho, interest in both harvest numbers and hunter success has been high from hunters who hunted elk in… more
March 16: Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report
| idfg-bbeller
Steelhead angler effort increased again this past week on the upper Salmon River, and catch rates started to improve in the upstream areas. Angler effort was highest downstream of North Fork in location code 15, but effort near the Pahsimeroi River and Challis, in location codes 17 and 18, increased as well. Effort… more