Press Releases and Articles
Fishing at Priest Lake is at a crossroads
| idfg-rphillips
Fishing at Priest Lake isn’t what it used to be, which is fine for some anglers, but others would like to see it change. Fish and Game wants to know if the current management is still working, or if change is needed.
“We want the anglers to tell us what kind of fishing opportunity they want, which… more
Gearing up for 2017 fire season
| idfg-staff
We are gearing up for 2017's fire seasons.
There already are several small active fires in the lower elevations around the state as of this note. We have not begun mapping them at this time.
Stay tuned to https://idfg.idaho.gov/fire for information for anglers and hunters regarding fire information as… more
Priest Lake - Lake Trout Fishing
| idfg-adux
Lake trout were one of many non-native fish species sprinkled throughout the American west in the 1920’s by the US Fish Commission. Shipped from the Great Lakes Region by railroad, the intent was to provide fishing opportunity and food for growing rural communities. In the Idaho Panhandle, Priest Lake was one of the… more
Sportsmen and women benefit from Super Hunt drawings
| idfg-vosborn
Idaho Super Hunt drawings create two kinds of winners - the hunter who actually draws a Super Hunt tag and the rest of us who gain hunting and fishing access to and through private land.
How does this work? Every entry purchased for a Super Hunt drawing supports Idaho’s Access Yes! program, which is designed… more
Enter the 2nd Super Hunt Drawing!
| idfg-vosborn
In 2015, Dawn Paynter won a Super Hunt elk tag. This tag meant she was able to hunt elk in any open hunt in the state.
“When I got the phone call, I couldn’t speak, and I had tears in my eyes,” Paynter said. “I knew I had endless opportunities to fill my tag and never doubted that I… more
Black Bear Responsible For Entering Home Near Tetonia Euthanized
| idfg-glosinski
Black Bear Responsible For Entering Home Near Tetonia Euthanized
TETONIA-Personnel with the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) trapped and euthanized a five-year-old male black bear that had become overly accustomed to humans to the point that it had entered a home outside of Tetonia,… more
Black's Creek Public Shooting Range Facilities Map
| idfg-eoneale
See the layout of facilities at Black's Creek Public Shooting Range.
Take a Long Shot at Black's Creek Public Shooting Range's 500-meter Range
| idfg-eoneale
It's back by popular demand! BCR's 500-meter range will be open to the public on Sunday, July 23rd from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Swinging gongs will be in use during the day at distances of 200, 300, 385 and 500 meters.
Public use of the 500-meter range will continue to be offered in the months… more
Counting Beasts the Color of Winter
| idfg-lwolf
Panhandle wildlife biologists were in the air counting mountain goats this spring. On May 8th and 9th, we flew helicopter surveys of Units 7 and 9 to see how many of the shaggy white animals we could find.
This year, we counted 48 mountain goats in the Snow Peak vicinity including Canyon, Sawtooth,… more
Cougar in Boise is a reminder we all live near wildlife
| idfg-rphillips
A Boise police officer recently responded to a call after a resident reported seeing a mountain lion in the Table Rock area. There have been no other recent reports of cat activity in the area, however, it serves as a reminder that no matter where you live in Idaho, you're probably close to wildlife and may encounter… more
Fish and Game seeks comments on several proposed rule changes
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Fish and Game is launching a negotiated rule making process and wants to hear from the public concerning six proposed rule changes.
Summaries of the rule proposals include:
Nonresident Tag Limit and Outfitter Allocation in Unlimited Control Hunts: Create authority for non-outfitted nonresident… more
Hiker and dogs injured by bear near Priest Lake
| idfg-pcooper
Contact: Phil Cooper, 208-818-1844
A 60-year old woman and her dogs were attacked and injured by a bear shortly after 9 am PDT, Tuesday July 4 near Priest Lake in Bonner County, Idaho.
The attack occurred on the Chipmunk Rapids trail near the Priest Lake Visitors Center on the southwest corner of the… more
Public meetings set to consider Priest Lake fishery management
| idfg-mdemick
Fishing has long been one of the main attractions on Priest Lake and Upper Priest Lake. However, fishing at these scenic lakes has changed a great deal over time.
Historically, the fishery was supported by three native sport fish, westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout, and mountain whitefish. Fishing for… more
Trap avoidance seminar offered for pet owners
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Fish and Game Hunter Education Technician John Kunkle will conduct a trap awareness seminar for pet owners on July 22 from 10 a.m. to noon. The seminar will be held at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2885 W Kathleen Ave, Coeur d’Alene.
There is no charge to attend. Advance registration is… more
Capped resident elk tags go on sale in early July
| idfg-mdemick
Resident hunters wanting to purchase a general season elk tag in a capped zone will need to keep two dates in mind in early July.
On Monday, July 10, all resident capped elk zone tags, except for the Sawtooth Zone, go on sale at 10 a.m. (MDT) at Fish and Game offices, license vendors, with a credit card by… more
Controlled hunt results available, pick up tags by August 1
| idfg-mdemick
Big game hunters who were successful in drawing controlled hunt tags for deer, elk, pronghorn, fall turkey and black bear have until midnight Mountain Daylight Time, Tuesday, August 1 to buy their tags.
Applicants can find out if they drew a tag by checking the controlled hunt drawing results on the Idaho Fish… more
Fish and Game Commission to meet in Bonners Ferry July 26-27
| idfg-mdemick
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet July 26 and 27 in Bonners Ferry.
A public hearing will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 26 at the Best Western Kootenai River Inn, 7169 Plaza Street. Persons wanting to address the commission on any topic having to do with Fish and Game business may do so at the… more
Upper Priest Lake Native Fish Conservation
| idfg-adux
Native Bull Trout and Westslope Cutthroat have been the target of Upper Priest Lake anglers throughout history. These native species continue to provide good fishing opportunity, but not without some assistance. Since the early 1990’s, non-native Lake Trout have been present in Upper Priest Lake. Lake Trout generally… more