Winchester Lake to refill

Tue, 04/19/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

Good news for Winchester Lake visitors this summer. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has successfully repaired the siphon at Winchester Lake, which allows the lake to be drawn down if emergencies arise. With the siphon now operational, permission has temporarily been granted to refill the lake up to full pool… more

Hayden Lake Kokanee 101

Tue, 04/19/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

By Rob Ryan, Regional Fishery Biologist Kokanee, a landlocked sockeye salmon, are relatively new to Hayden Lake. Since Hayden Lake kokanee stocking began in 2011, many anglers have caught on to this popular new fishing opportunity. As anglers discover this new fishery, many are asking questions to better understand… more

Retired Fish and Game conservation officer honored with national award

Mon, 04/18/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

Veteran Idaho Fish and Game Conservation officer Blake Phillips looked stunned as he stood before his colleagues gathered Saturday, April 16, to celebrate his recent retirement. His former boss, Enforcement Chief Greg Wooten just announced Phillips is the 2016 recipient of the Guy Bradley Award from the National Fish… more

Chinook seasons open Saturday

Mon, 04/18/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

The spring Chinook salmon fishing season will open Saturday, April 23, on parts of the mainstem Clearwater, Middle Fork Clearwater, South Fork Clearwater, Lochsa, Snake Lower Salmon and Little Salmon rivers. The returns of hatchery origin adult Chinook salmon in 2016 are forecasted to be about 30 percent less than… more

Trophy species controlled hunt application deadline approaching

Mon, 04/18/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

The deadline for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunt controlled hunt applications is less than two weeks away. Hunters have through April 30 to apply for these hunts. Applications can be completed at Fish and Game offices or license vendors with a credit card by telephone or over the Internet. Telephone… more

Peregrine Falcon nest webcam live in downtown Boise

Mon, 04/18/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

The daily life of a wild peregrine falcon family in downtown Boise is once again on view via a web camera in the nest box. This is the eight year the webcam has provided a bird's eye view of the nest on the 14th floor of One Capital Center, 10th and Main streets in downtown Boise. The webcam is available at: http://… more

New catch and release sturgeon record

Thu, 04/14/2016 - 10:25 | idfg-bstuder

Congratulations to Natalie Hodson (Boise), Homer Brown and Kurt Killgore (both of White Bird) who teamed up to land this amazing white sturgeon. The 111” monster from the Snake River in Hells Canyon has set the new catch/release Idaho state record.

Interested in chasing a record sturgeon? Check out our… more

Wild Turkey General Hunting Season Opens April 15

Wed, 04/13/2016 - 21:12 | idfg-bstuder

Turkey hunting is a sport rich in tradition that began long before Europeans arrived in North America. Native Americans hunted the wild turkey for food for more than 4,000 years. 

When European immigrants arrived, they hunted this abundant bird for both food and sport. Populations declined with… more

Idaho Heightens Response Efforts For White-Nose Syndrome

Wed, 04/13/2016 - 20:49 | idfg-bstuder

Contact:
- Rita Dixon, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
rita.dixon@idfg.idaho.gov, 208-287-2735
- Mark Drew, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
mark.drew@idfg.idaho.gov, 208-939-9171

BOISE - The recent confirmation of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a disease of hibernating bats, in… more

Wild turkey general hunting season opens April 15

Wed, 04/13/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

Turkey hunting is a sport rich in tradition that began long before Europeans arrived in North America. Native Americans hunted the wild turkey for food for more than 4,000 years. When European immigrants arrived, they hunted this abundant bird for both food and sport. Populations declined with colonization and… more

Idaho Heightens Response Efforts for White-nose Syndrome

Wed, 04/13/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

Contact: - Rita Dixon, Idaho Department of Fish and Game rita.dixon@idfg.idaho.gov, 208-287-2735 - Mark Drew, Idaho Department of Fish and Game mark.drew@idfg.idaho.gov, 208-939-9171 BOISE - The recent confirmation of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a disease of hibernating bats, in Washington state has heightened… more

Bass & Crappie more active in the region

Mon, 04/11/2016 - 10:53 | idfg-bstuder

With this beautiful weather we are having, bass and crappie are becoming more active. We are also expecting to see more new submissions for the new Idaho catch & release record fish category. Last week Wayne Scott of Boise, ID turned in this 9.4" White Crappie from CJ Strike Reservoir. Congratulations… more

Commission to meet via conference call April 21

Mon, 04/11/2016 - 10:46 | idfg-bstuder

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet by conference call Thursday, April 21 to set the 2016 migratory game bird seasons. The call will begin at 10 a.m. (MDT) at Fish and Game Headquarters, 600 S. Walnut in Boise. There will be no public testimony taken during the call, but the public is welcome to attend.… more

Spring is prime time for lakes and reservoirs

Mon, 04/11/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

By Roger Phillips, Idaho Fish and Game public information specialist Sunny, warm spring weather arrives and your favorite river starts flowing high and the color of chocolate milk. Sound familiar? It often happens when the mountain snowpack melts, but don't fear. While some rivers may be difficult to fish during… more

Bear baiting rule changes effective now

Mon, 04/11/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

With Idaho's general spring black bear hunting season beginning April 15 in much of the state, hunters are reminded that rules changes on placement of bait made last August are in effect now. The current rules requires that no bait site be located within 200 feet of any water (lake, pond, reservoir, or year-round… more

Commission to meet via conference call April 21

Mon, 04/11/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet by conference call Thursday, April 21 to set the 2016 migratory game bird seasons. The call will begin at 10 a.m. at Fish and Game Headquarters, 600 S. Walnut in Boise. There will be no public testimony taken during the call, but the public is welcome to attend.… more

Idaho's turkey hunting remains popular, safety urged

Mon, 04/11/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

April 15 marks the opening day of Idaho's spring general turkey hunting season, and Idaho Fish and Game statistics indicate turkey hunting remains a popular sport. This popularity means there will likely be thousands of camouflaged hunters pursuing turkey in the hills, and Fish and Game encourages them to be extra… more

Birds Love Boise Celebration and Native Plant Sale April 23

Mon, 04/11/2016 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

The public is invited to the Fish and Game Morrison Knudsen (MK) Nature Center's Birds Love Boise Celebration and Native Plant Sale on Saturday, April 23. The bird celebration will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free, family-friendly event, which includes live birds, educational activities, games, and a local food… more