Press Releases and Articles
Become an Idaho Master Naturalist! Introductory meeting scheduled in Pocatello.
| idfg-jjackson
The High Desert Chapter of the Idaho Master Naturalists is now recruiting new members to be a part of a unique volunteering experience in southeast Idaho! Those who love the outdoors and learning more about southeast Idaho’s wildlife, habitats, and other natural resources will discover a wide variety of fun and… more
Nampa Fish Hatchery Closed to Public During Construction
| idfg-bpearson
Construction work focused on improvements to the settling pond and outflow structures at Fish and Game’s Nampa Hatchery will necessitate a closure to unguided visitation, beginning Jan. 8.
Access to visit the facility with a guided group will still be available on a limited basis, by appointment. To… more
Adult Lecture Series at MK Nature Center
| idfg-sfocht
Idaho Fish and Game's MK Nature Center will host evening lectures for adults each month through May 2024. All lectures will be held at the MK Nature Center at 600 S. Walnut Street in Boise and will begin at 6:30 p.m. No registration is necessary; these events are free and open to the adult public. If you have questions… more
Boise River WMA closed to public on Jan. 7-8 for administrative management work
| idfg-bpearson
The Boise River Wildlife Management Area, including all WMA trails (Cobb, West Highland Valley, Homestead, and Lucky Peak), will be closed to the public for administrative management activities on Sunday, Jan. 7 and Monday, Jan. 8.
The access closure will be signed at all major entry points to the WMA. The… more
Hyde Pond Kid’s Ice Fishing Derby set for Jan. 27
| idfg-mdemick
Bundle up the kids, grab your fishing gear and head to Hyde Pond Saturday, Jan. 27 for some ice fishing fun.
The 31st annual Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby will be held from 8:00 a.m. to noon and is designed for youth ages 16 years and under. Prizes for big fish in four age categories will be awarded, and lucky… more
Applications for spring black bear controlled hunts open Jan. 15
| idfg-cliess
Hunters looking to apply for 2024 spring's controlled hunts for black bear can apply from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15. Information on the spring 2024 controlled black bear hunt can be found in the 2023 Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules booklet.
Hunters must have a 2024 hunting license in order to apply for controlled… more
Ground survey of bighorn sheep in Unit 26 suggests population is stable
| idfg-nborg
Fish and Game staff recently completed a ground survey of bighorn sheep along Big Creek in Unit 26.
Surveyors counted 75 sheep along Big Creek downstream of Cabin Creek. This is consistent with observations from previous surveys and suggests a stable population. Lamb ratios were slightly above average for… more
The Top 'Big Fish' Stories of 2023
| idfg-cliess
From a 40-pound lake monster in Hayden Lake to a 75-year-old record vindicated by passionate bass fishing sleuths, angler stories covered all manner of strange in 2023. Anglers from all over the state hoisted up some incredible benchmarks last year (and have pictures to show for it).
In total, 2023… more
F&G seeking information on bull elk killed in Pahsimeroi Valley
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking information about a bull elk shot and left to waste near May, Idaho in the Pahsimeroi Vally.
Conservation officers located the 5-point bull elk on private land east of Hooper Lane about 250 yards east of the Pahsimeroi River. The elk was thought to have been shot… more
F&G biologists complete herd composition surveys in Southwest Idaho
| idfg-rberkley
Each December, biologists across the state conduct mule deer surveys on key winter ranges to understand current herd composition, or proportions of bucks, does and fawns. The primary intent of these surveys is to measure fawn productivity and survival to 6 months of age, which is an important component in… more
Important dates to help plan your January
| idfg-cliess
From tags sales to season closures, there’s a lot happening in Idaho during January that you should be aware of. Staying in the loop can be the difference between applying for that coveted controlled hunt tag and watching from the sidelines.
Be sure to stay up to date on all Fish and Game happenings. Here are… more
Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for Jan. 2
| idfg-jjackson
Members of the Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee (WFAC) will meet on Jan. 2, 2024 to assist Idaho Fish and Game with the assessment of winter conditions and observations related to big game animals (movements, depredations, activity on roadways, body conditions, mortalities) in the Southeast Region.… more
New year, time for a new fishing/hunting license, and you have lots of options
| idfg-rphillips
The new year is here, so it’s time to get a 2024 hunting and/or fishing license. Not only do you get a full year of hunting and fishing, you also help fund protecting, preserving and perpetuating all of Idaho’s fish and wildlife.
Licenses, permits and tags can be purchased online at GoOutdoorsIdaho.… more
Statewide trout stocking highlights for January 2024
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking roughly 4,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this January. Wondering if the stocking trucks are going to be backing up to your favorite fishing hole? We asked our Fish and Game hatchery staff to boil down some of the most… more
Expert ice fishing: F&G staff shares their tips so you can catch more fish
| idfg-rphillips
Ice fishing can be pretty darned simple. Drill a hole, drop a baited hook and wait for a fish to bite. It really can be that simple if you’re just starting. But like all fishing, there are more ice fishing skills you can learn to catch more fish, and those skills can come from trial-and-error experience, or… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for January 2024 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-tthompson
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 900 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in January. All stocking dates and numbers of fish are approximate.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns); dates… more
Southwest Region rainbow trout stocking schedule - January
| idfg-bpearson
Fish and Game staff will be stocking more than 3,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout at the following locations across the Southwest Region in January.
All fish stocked are rainbow trout. Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns… more