Press Releases and Articles
Wolf hunting season remains open in several local units
| idfg-mdemick
Due to changes in wolf hunting seasons, some wolf hunts for spring 2019 were extended last year and are not reflected in the 2017-2018 big game rules booklet.
In the Salmon area, wolf hunting seasons were extended in the following units and will run through:
June 30, 2019 in Big Game Management Units 21… more
Rainbow trout to be removed from the South Fork of the Snake River and stocked in local ponds
| idfg-jbrower
As part of an ongoing effort to reduce hybridization between the non-native rainbow trout and the native cutthroat trout in the South Fork of the Snake River, biologists from the Idaho Fish and Game will be manually removing rainbow and hybrid trout. Fish will be stunned with electro-shocking… more
Strike while it’s hot! There are lots of crappie at C.J. Strike Reservoir.
| idfg-bpearson
The stars have aligned for another crappie “boom” at C.J. Strike Reservoir, and anglers will likely reap the benefits for the next couple of years.
“We have a big 2017 year class of fish at C.J. Strike, and they are just starting to grow to a size that anglers can catch them,” Idaho Fish and Game biologist… more
See the spring waterfowl migration at McArthur Lake Wildlife Management Area
| idfg-edehamer
Just a few short weeks ago, McArthur Lake and the northern Panhandle remained in the reluctantly-loosening grip of winter. Ice was still thick over the entire reservoir and the red-winged blackbirds that arrived early resorted to singing in the pines, waiting for snowdrifts to reveal the cattails they would aim to… more
F&G Commission sets migratory game bird seasons and adjusts wolf hunt in two units
| idfg-bpearson
Meeting by conference call on April 11, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission set seasons for migratory game birds for 2019-20, and amended wolf hunting seasons in Units 51 and 50 for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
The seasons for migratory game birds will remain mostly the same as the 2018-19 seasons, with a… more
Steelhead to be stocked in Blue Mountain and Kids Creek ponds
| idfg-mdemick
Personnel from Fish and Game's Pahsimeroi Hatchery will release 100 steelhead each in Blue Mountain Pond and Kids Creek Pond by Thursday, April 11.
Blue Mountain Pond is adjacent to the golf course in Challis. Kids will enjoy fishing from the banks and having a family picnic in the pond's two gazebos… more
Fall Controlled Hunt Application Period is Coming, Prepare Now!
| idfg-jtjaden
Hunters are starting to get giddy; there are smiles on their faces and a spring in their step. Controlled hunt application season must be approaching fast. The application period for fall controlled hunts begins May 1st and ends on June 5th. Hunters apply during this time for deer, elk, pronghorn, fall black bear, and… more
Winter closures within Teton Basin Ranger District extended until April 30 to protect wintering wildlife
| idfg-jbrower
Due to persisting winter conditions the U.S. Forest Service in cooperation with Idaho Fish and Game and Wyoming Game and Fish has extended the winter closure in the Teton Basin Ranger District. The closure will remain in effect until April 30.
The extension of the closure will give big game animals a few extra… more
Local fishing ponds to be stocked with lunkers
| idfg-mdemick
Anglers in the Salmon and Challis areas will see some giant trout lurking in local fishing ponds after Clear Springs Foods donated over 300 hatchery broodstock rainbow trout to Idaho Fish and Game.
The trophy-sized trout, which average nearly 9 pounds, were stocked earlier this week at Blue… more
Tundra swans are dying from historic mine waste in the Coeur d'Alene River Basin
| idfg-ksiitari
Panhandle Region Fish and Game staff have received numerous calls about dead tundra swans in the lower Coeur d’Alene River Basin, particularly around Harrison Slough. The deaths are attributed to poisoning from mine waste contamination found in the wetland sediments where the birds… more
Volunteers jumpstart wildlife habitat restoration after a wildfire burned in 2018
| idfg-bpearson
Armed with trowels, augers, kneepads and thousands of sagebrush and bitterbrush seedlings, about three dozen volunteers joined Fish and Game staff in late March to replant where a 2018 fire scorched 700 acres near Lucky Peak Reservoir. Their mission? Plant native seedlings and help jumpstart nature's… more
Catch a kokanee salmon from southern Idaho's "silver triangle"
| idfg-bpearson
Prized for their fighting ability and great table fare, kokanee salmon’s popularity continues to grow across the West. That trend includes Idaho, and for good reason: Fish and Game manages quality kokanee fisheries around the state, including in a trio of destinations – the kokanee "silver triangle" – that… more
Big game rules available online
| idfg-bpearson
The Idaho big game hunting brochure for 2019 and 2020 seasons is now available online on Fish and Game's website.
View Big Game Seasons
Hunters are reminded that spring 2019 bear and wolf hunts and rules are in the 2017-18 rules booklet .
The 2019-20 brochure, which contains seasons and rules… more
April 8: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report
| idfg-bbeller
During the week of April 1, the majority of steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River was located either near the Pahsimeroi River confluence or upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19. Angler effort downstream of Salmon was minimal and no angler interviews were obtained.
Anglers… more
2019-2020 Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules Available ONLINE
| idfg-bstuder
The 2019-2020 Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules are available ONLINE. Printed brochures are available at vendors and Fish and Game offices.View Big Game Seasons
Project WILD about Fishing class offered in Lewiston April 12 & 13
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Project WILD is an award-winning, fish and wildlife-focused conservation education program designed to help educators incorporate fish, wildlife and conservation into their classrooms. But you don't have to be a teacher to participate.
“These workshops are designed for anyone interested in sharing… more
Bear hunters in southeast Idaho take note: Spring bear hunt rules for 2018 still in effect
| idfg-jjackson
In March, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission set big game hunting seasons and rules for 2019-2021, which included expanding bear hunting opportunity in the Southeast Region. With spring bear hunts upon us, hunters are reminded that bear hunting regulations this spring are the same as they were in spring 2018. The… more
Trout stocking at Fernan Lake gets a big boost for spring and beyond
| idfg-cwatkins
More fish for anglers, and bigger ones, are headed to Fernan Lake in April. Sound too good to be true and wondering what's the catch? The catch is rainbow trout, and Fernan Lake anglers will be reeling in more trout in 2019 than ever before.
Thanks to statewide increases… more