Press Releases and Articles
Deer population surveys near Salmon and Challis to begin soon
| idfg-mdemick
Beginning in early December, Idaho Fish and Game staff will take to the air to get a closer look at deer numbers, including several low-level helicopter surveys planned in the Salmon and Challis areas. The purpose is to gather abundance and herd composition information that helps game managers understand… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (12-02-2025)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for December 2, 2025, and the data discussed in this report were collected from November 24 through November 30.
Although fewer steelhead anglers were observed along the Upper Salmon River last week, the fishing remained good. Most bank anglers… more
Turn in Lake Pend Oreille fishing logbooks by Dec. 12 for a chance to win prizes and swag
| idfg-tjross
If you are an angler participating in the angler science program on Lake Pend Oreille, thank you for investing your time and effort into helping Idaho Fish and Game manage the lake’s world-class rainbow trout fishery.
Farragut Shooting Range Center announces updated days and hours of operation
| idfg-tjross
Beginning in Dec., the Farragut Shooting Range Center will adopt updated days and hours of operation. The adjustments reflect recent patterns in public use and are intended to help Idaho Fish and Game make the best use of staff and financial resources required to operate the facility.
The range will be closed… more
Seasonal motorized closures and habitat work aim to secure the future of the Teton Canyon elk and deer herds
| idfg-jbrower
Idaho Fish and Game, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and multiple private landowners, is implementing a seasonal motorized travel restriction on all BOR properties in the Teton Canyon Complex beginning Dec. 1 through April 15. These efforts are part of a holistic, long-term plan to maintain a… more
Idaho Fish and Game seeking comments on its Draft Strategic Plan
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking comments on a draft update to the IDFG Strategic Plan. The plan was last updated in 2015 and serves as the roadmap to chart the goals, strategies, objectives and actions the department uses to achieve the IDFG mission. Much has changed in Idaho since 2015, so it’s important for those… more
Bighorn sheep shot and left to waste near Riggins
| idfg-jbruns
On November 24, a poached bighorn sheep ram was located by a sportsman above Big Salmon road near Partridge Creek. The ram had been shot between November 20-22 with no attempt to recover the animal.
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for December 2025 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 900 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in December. 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
Trapper & Wolf Trapper Education courses coming up in Salmon
| idfg-mdemick
Looking for a trapper or wolf trapper education course in the Salmon area? Not sure which courses you need? Idaho Fish and Game has got the answers to your questions.
Trapper Education Course
Trapper education covers trapping laws, safety, ethics, basic trapping methods and ways to avoid non-… more
Application period for nonresident general season deer and elk tags runs Dec. 5-15
| idfg-rphillips
Nonresident deer and elk hunters interested in applying for general season deer and elk hunts in the first-ever Nonresident Tag Drawing can see what tags are available for 2026, and apply for those tags in December.
The Nonresident General Deer and Elk tags brochure lists tags for elk, regular deer, and… more
F&G draining northwest pond at Ted Trueblood WHA in early December for habitat improvement work
| idfg-bpearson
Fish and Game staff will begin draining the northwest pond (Pond 3) at the Ted Trueblood Wildlife Habitat Area, near Grand View, in early December in preparation for habitat improvement work this winter and spring.
Signs will be posted in the parking area nearest the pond to let hunters know it… more
More steelhead bound for the Boise River on Wednesday, Nov. 26
| idfg-bpearson
More steelhead are headed for the Boise River during the week of Thanksgiving.
Approximately 85 additional steelhead will be released into the Boise River on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Fish and Game stocking trucks will be releasing fish at the usual locations:
Glenwood Bridge Americana Bridge Below… more
Recent Fish and Game check station on Interstate 90 shows need for improved CWD transport compliance
| idfg-tjross
Staff from Idaho Fish and Game’s Panhandle Regional Office operated a check station on Nov. 16 along Interstate 90 near Fourth of July Pass. The purpose of the station was to monitor hunter compliance with Idaho’s wildlife laws and to evaluate whether big game harvested out of state or from an Idaho chronic wasting… more
F&G seeking public input on Idaho upland game, turkey and furbearer season setting, 2026-2027
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game will be setting the new seasons for upland game, turkey, and furbearers for 2026-2027 in January 2026. Members of the public are highly encouraged to review the proposed seasons and changes and weigh in with their own comments. The comment period is open until Dec. 7, 2025 at 6 p.m. MST.
Fish… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (11-25-2025)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for November 25, 2025, and the data discussed in this report were collected from November 17 through November 23.
Steelhead angler effort along the Upper Salmon River continued to decline last week as we move further into… more
Water pump failure at Rapid River Hatchery near Riggins causes loss of newly hatched Chinook salmon
| idfg-rphillips
During a routine facility check on Nov. 18, Rapid River Fish Hatchery staff detected a pump used to supply oxygenated water to the early rearing/incubation building had malfunctioned. The alarm system designed to identify water flow associated with pump failure also failed.
Staff were able to turn on a… more
Everything a nonresident hunter needs to know about the 2026 tag drawing
| idfg-cliess
If you’re a nonresident hunter looking to hunt deer or elk in Idaho next year, the process is going to look a little different—and much improved.
This move to a draw should be celebrated as a win for nonresident hunters. The new framework replaces the historical first-come, first-served tag sale that occurred… more
ICYMI: Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting Nov. 20
| idfg-cliess
Watch the full recap of the November 20, 2025 Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting in Lewiston.
Topics covered include the adoption of administrative rules, 2025 Nonresident Tag Draw update, CWD update, and more.