Press Releases and Articles
Lake Cascade and Payette Lake ice conditions - March 17, 2022
| idfg-mthomas
On Thursday, March 17 we checked surface and ice conditions on Cascade and Payette Lakes. Recent warm temperatures have compacted the ice layer into a uniform layer of clear ice. We did not observe very much, if any, snow on top of the ice which can make travel (on foot and motorized) more difficult. Please be careful… more
Dust off the fishing rod and plan your next family fishing outing this spring
| idfg-cliess
Old man winter is finally hitting the bricks, and as the temperatures creep up, fish get a little more active and Idaho Fish and Game stocking trucks start delivering more fish across the state.
Maybe ol’ Saint Nick delivered a new fishing pole to a kid during Christmas, or your trusty old fishing rod… more
Get prepared for spring turkey hunting season with these helpful tips
| idfg-aevans
Are you thinking about turkey hunting this spring? Not quite sure how to go about it? Outsmarting a gobbler is an enjoyable way to spend a beautiful spring day. Here are some tips to get you started on your turkey hunting adventure. General season hunts start April 15, and turkey season for youth hunters starts… more
Cedar Draw access site closed to the public due to construction
| idfg-tthompson
The Cedar Draw boating and fishing access site along the Snake River will be closed until early April due to an ongoing construction project. Located 10 miles northeast of Buhl, the access site, when open, provides camping, restrooms and a boat ramp.
To ensure the safety of the public and the construction crew… more
Draw results available for spring turkey controlled hunts
| idfg-cliess
Spring turkey controlled hunt draw results are available now.
The results have been posted through Fish and Game’s licensing system, GoOutdoorsIdaho.com. Hunters can check their GoOutdoorsIdaho account to view their controlled hunt tags draw results for spring turkey. Email notifications will be sent to those… more
Flock of red-winged blackbirds shot near Aberdeen
| idfg-jjackson
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking information regarding the illegal killing of 17 male and 4 female red-winged blackbirds near Aberdeen in Power County.
Around 6 p.m. on March 10 an individual who lived in the area of the incident heard several shotgun blasts. The individual discovered… more
Spring break fishing event March 22 at Freedom Park Pond in Burley
| idfg-tthompson
Parents looking for a spring break outdoor activity to help with their kids “what’s there to do” comments can take them out fishing in Burley next week. Fish and Game staff from the Magic Valley Region will be hosting a Take Me Fishing trailer event in Burley, March 22, 2022 at Freedom Park Pond from 10:00 a.m. to 1:… more
Fish and Game to host ‘Behind-the-Scene’ informational meetings in Salmon and Challis
| idfg-mdemick
Do you like to hunt or fish? See what goes on behind the scenes at Fish… more
March 14 Upper Salmon River Weekly Steelhead Fishing Report
| idfg-bbeller
The Deadwater ice jam broke free towards the end of last week, and steelhead angler effort downstream of North Fork increased considerably. The majority of data for this week's report was collected between Friday and Sunday because of cold weather earlier in the week.
The highest amount of angler effort over… more
Winter survival for mule deer fawns and elk calves tracking slightly above average
| idfg-bpearson
Statewide winter survival for mule deer fawns and elk calves fitted with tracking collars was average to slightly above average through the end of February.
"From a statewide perspective, winter survival is tracking very close to what we saw in past two years," said Toby Boudreau, deer and elk program… more
F&G Commission special meeting March 23-24 in Boise
| idfg-cliess
The Commission will hold the public hearing and business meeting at the Fish and Game Headquarters Office at 600 S. Walnut St. in Boise. A public hearing will begin on March 23 at 7 p.m. MDT in the Sawtooth Room. Those wishing to speak to the Commission during the public hearing will have a three-minute time limit,… more
Tracking Salmon and Steelhead with PIT Tags: Lemhi River
| idfg-smeyer
Passive Integrated Transponder tags are commonly used to monitor fish distribution and movement. Commonly known as a "PIT" tag, it is similar to a microchip and about the size of a grain of rice. In adult fish, the tag is typically inserted into the back of the fish near the dorsal fin, and inserted into the body… more
Public comment now open for 2022-23 migratory game bird season proposals
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking comments on proposed migratory game bird seasons for 2022-23. Fish and Game staff will present all season proposals to the Commission for review during the April 14 conference call.
Waterfowl hunters can review these proposals online and provide input on the Migratory Game Bird… more
Wild turkeys relocated to the South Hills near Oakley to bolster the existing turkey population
| idfg-tthompson
In an effort to supplement the dwindling population of wild turkeys in the Big Cottonwood area of Game Management Unit 54 northeast of Oakley, 36 turkeys were captured and relocated to the area in early February. The turkeys, which included toms, jakes and hens were captured near Pocatello by volunteers with the… more
Lake Cascade and Payette Lake ice conditions - March 10, 2022
| idfg-mthomas
On Thursday, March 10 I checked surface and ice conditions on Cascade and Payette Lakes. While conditions remain safe for fishing, recent warm temperatures and rain have dramatically changed the ice profiles on each lake. In particular, much of the "white" ice in previous weeks has been compressed into a more uniform… more
Deadwater ice jam is out! Grab your steelhead gear and head to the Upper Salmon River
| idfg-mdemick
The Deadwater ice jam on the upper Salmon River below North Fork slowly went out during the week of March 7. Low temperatures Wednesday night resulted in new ice buildup at the upstream end of Deadwater, but this should melt quickly with the warmer weather predicted for this weekend. Fish and Game expects the river… more
Hiker charged by moose on Gibson Jack Trail
| idfg-jjackson
On the morning of Wednesday, March 9, a hiker was charged by a moose on Gibson Jack trail south of Pocatello in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The hiker sustained a few injuries from the encounter but was able to hike out safely.
The individual was hiking with his dog when a moose charged from behind. … more
Governor Brad Little petitions to have grizzly bears removed from Endangered Species Act
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Governor Brad Little submitted a petition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove grizzly bears in the “Lower 48” United States from the Endangered Species Act and recognize states’ successful efforts to recover and manage grizzly populations.
“Bureaucratic gridlock is keeping healthy grizzly… more