Press Releases and Articles
Hunter Expectations for Bighorn Sheep in Unit 54
| idfg-mmcdonald
Despite the best efforts from Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Unit 54 bighorn sheep herd is a non-viable population with very few sheep left in the unit. The current number of rams in the unit is unknown, but there are likely few mature rams left in the herd.
From 1986-1993… more
Clearwater Region Spring Stocking
| idfg-bbowersox
Spring is here, and that means that IDFG is beginning to stock area lakes and ponds with Rainbow Trout! Click on the link below for a list of upcoming fish stocking. If you have any questions, please call our Lewiston office at 208-799-5010.
https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/clearwater/stocking
… more
Steelhead Habitat Restoration on the East Fork Potlatch River
| idfg-bbowersox
Written by Tiege Ulschmid, IDFG Fish Habitat Biologist
The Potlatch River was once a relatively unknown tributary of the Clearwater River. However, due to recent studies and restoration activities that have occurred in this watershed, people are becoming more aware of its importance. If you ask a steelhead… more
Landowners Play a Vital Role in Restoring Idaho’s Native Fish
| idfg-bbowersox
Written by Ryan Banks, Senior Fisheries Technician, PSMFC/IDFG
A large percentage of the land in Nez Perce and Latah Counties is privately owned. Without conservation efforts on private lands, the fish inhabiting in or near these areas often would not have the ability to thrive. As a result, the Idaho… more
Enter Super Hunt drawings for Idaho's best deer, elk, moose and pronghorn hunts
| idfg-vosborn
2015 was Gavin Moody's second year for entering the Super Hunt drawing. He bought one entry each for deer, elk and moose. Much to his surprise, he drew the elk tag. Moody said he didn’t have a hunt in mind, but everyone he talked to recommended the Owyhee Desert and its famous elk herd that consistently… more
Upper Salmon River weekly steelhead report (4/1/18)
| idfg-vosborn
Steelhead angler effort and catch continued to shift upstream over the past week on the upper Salmon River. Angler effort in areas downstream of Salmon, ID dropped, while effort near the Pahsimeroi River confluence and upstream of Challis, ID increased.
No angler interviews were obtained downstream of North… more
Clearwater weekly steelhead fishing report (4/1/18)
| idfg-vosborn
Effort continues to drop on the main stem of the Clearwater. Anglers out fishing are fishing in front of Dworshak Dam on river section 03 or at the boat ramp/ bridge of river section 05 (North Fork). The South Fork of the Clearwater continues to attract a large group of anglers on the weekends. Most of the documented… more
Spring bear hunters may be affected by prescribed fires near Gibbonsville
| idfg-mdemick
Bear hunters planning to hunt in the Gibbonsville area this spring should beware of prescribed fire activities that may occur on both sides of Highway 93 from Hughes Creek north to Lost Trail Pass.
Salmon-Challis National Forest expects to use several methods of prescribed fire including tree well burning,… more
Take Me Fishing trailer coming to a fishing hole near you
| idfg-rphillips
Fish and Game wants to help you go fishing, but more important, get you familiar with the basics so you can do it on your own and experience the state's amazing fishing opportunities.
Fish and Game lends a helping hand with its Take Me Fishing trailers, which … more
Payette Lake's fishing is at a crossroads, which way do anglers want it to go?
| idfg-rphillips
Managing a large sterile lake with big, long-lived predators and a fluctuating prey species poses a big challenge for fisheries managers, and Payette Lake at McCall is the latest case where managers are asking anglers what they would like to see in the future.
The issue essentially breaks down to Payette… more
Spring turkey controlled hunting drawing results available now
| idfg-rphillips
The spring turkey drawing is complete and the results are now at huntfishidaho.net for those who have an account with the new licensing system. Those without one can learn how on the Controlled Hunts web page. Customers can also now purchase their spring turkey permits on the site. If they do not have a general turkey… more
Apply for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunts in April
| idfg-rphillips
The application period for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat controlled hunts runs April 1 through April 30 and applications can be made at any Fish and Game office, license vendor, by telephone, or apply online. Telephone applications may be made at (800) 554-8685. All mailed applications must be postmarked no… more
Upper Salmon River weekly steelhead report (3/25/18)
| idfg-vosborn
Steelhead anglers on the upper Salmon River continued to move further upriver over the past week. The majority of angler effort was observed upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19. The second highest amount of effort was seen downstream of the Pahsimeroi River confluence near Ellis, ID. Effort and… more
Clearwater weekly steelhead fishing report (3/25/18)
| idfg-vosborn
Effort on the North Fork and mainstem of the Clearwater was low this past week. Water is running high and fast on the North Fork because of water released from the dam. This has made fishing difficult on the North Fork. The main stem of the Clearwater documented seven fish caught. The majority of the effort is in… more
F&G Commission moves forward with grizzly bear hunt, delays decision on extending wolf hunting and trapping seasons
| idfg-rphillips
At its March 22 meeting in Boise, the Fish and Game Commission instructed staff to draft a proposal for a fall grizzly bear hunt in which one male bear could he harvested.
Fish and Game biologists are scheduled to present the commission with proposed hunting season options for Commission action at the… more
New changes to 2018 big game rules: sheep, goat, Unit 10A deer hunt, Weiser River elk zone, and units 26 and 27 controlled deer hunts
| idfg-rphillips
Fish and Game Commission at the March 22 meeting made several changes that big game hunters should be aware of for the upcoming fall seasons, including:
Eliminated the two tags in mountain goat controlled hunt 6005 in Unit 10-3 because the goats appear to have moved out of the hunt area. Eliminated bighorn… more
Take a youth turkey hunting, youth season begins April 8
| idfg-rphillips
Here's your youth turkey season checklist:
Kid (age 10 to 17) Hunting license and turkey tag Shotgun Turkey calls CamoIdaho's general season youth turkey hunt runs Sunday, April 8 through Saturday, April 14. It's an opportunity for kids to get an early shot at turkey hunting, and a way… more
Commission approves spring Chinook season, opener is April 28
| idfg-rphillips
Fish and Game Commission on Thursday, March 22 approved spring Chinook fishing on the Clearwater, Snake, Salmon and Little Salmon rivers to start April 28 and run until closed by the Fish and Game director.
Fisheries managers are forecasting a run of 66,000 spring Chinook, roughly double last year’s return… more