Press Releases and Articles
They're back! Steelhead return to the Boise River
| idfg-rphillips
Despite a lower-than-average steelhead return, Idaho Fish and Game continued the popular stocking program in the Boise River starting on Nov. 10.
Anglers were awaiting the truck, and Dale Stratton of Emmett landed the first Boise River steelhead of the season shortly after the fish hit the water. … more
Hunters with Tex Creek special deer-hunt tags: Know your boundaries
| idfg-rphillips
The special deer season (hunt number 1180) in controlled hunt area 69-1X runs Nov. 10 through Nov. 30 and is limited to that portion of unit 69 that lies east and west of the Long Valley/Bone road. It does not include any portion of units 66 or 66A.
Download this map as a printable pdf [492… more
Weekly Clearwater Steelhead Report (11/7/16)
| idfg-vosborn
Most of the effort on the Clearwater is focused from Peck to just east of the Dworshak National Fish Hatchery on river section 03. However, there are still fish being caught from Lewiston to Peck, just less pressure in this area. River section 04 is receiving some fishing effort with decent catch rates. Most… more
Not all hunts are successful, but we can still learn from them
| idfg-rphillips
Big-game hunting can be part euphoria and part heartbreak. We spend all year building expectations for the season and then sometimes feel the crush of disappointment when things don’t go as we hoped.
I wrote on several occasions about the bright outlook for this year’s big-game hunting season after last… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Report (11/7/16)
| idfg-vosborn
Steelhead fishing on the upper Salmon River improved over the last week. Angler effort remained high, and river conditions continued to improve as flows and temperature dropped throughout the week. Anglers interviewed downstream of the Middle Fork in location code 14 averaged 47 hours per steelhead caught… more
Seats still available in Nampa-area wolf trapping certification courses
| idfg-mdemick
Trappers are reminded that Idaho rules require trappers to successfully complete a Wolf Trapper Certification course before they can purchase wolf trapping tags.
The last two courses scheduled in the Nampa-area for this season will be held Saturday, November 12 and Saturday, December 3. Both courses will be… more
Fish and Game Commission to meet next week in Lewiston
| idfg-mdemick
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet November 16 and 17 in Lewiston.
Presentations on effective trapping techniques and Clearwater region anadromous fisheries management will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, November 16 at the Jack O’Connor Center, 5600 Hells Gate Road.
The public hearing will be… more
November spraying planned for Boise River Wildlife Management Area
| idfg-rphillips
People visiting the Boise River Wildlife Management Area in November may see low-flying aircraft spraying the areas burned last summer, which is to reduce or eliminate the spread of weeds.
To control invasive grasses, such as cheat grass, in areas burned by the Table Rock and Milepost 14 fires, Idaho… more
Killing carp at Bruneau Dunes Pond will kickstart recovery
| idfg-rphillips
The airplane swooping across the pond at Bruneau Dunes State Park wasn’t a military exercise by the nearby Mountain Home Air Force Base, but the plane was fighting an enemy.
The pond had become infested with common carp, an invasive fish that bred prolifically and outcompeted the pond’s bass… more
Steelhead to return to Boise River Nov. 10
| idfg-rphillips
Despite a lower-than-average steelhead return, Idaho Fish and Game will continue the popular stocking program in the Boise River starting on Nov. 10.
Fish and Game personnel will remove about 300 steelhead from Hells Canyon and release the fish at several locations between Glenwood Bridge and Barber Dam… more
Aerial Application to Battle Cheatgrass Invasion at Tex Creek WMA Means Hunters May Experience Low Flying Helicopters in Near Future
| idfg-glosinski
IDAHO FALLS – The recovery of Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) after the Henry’s Creek Fire will take years. An important first step in the rehabilitation of the habitat is to give native plants like sagebrush a fighting chance against invasive species, especially cheatgrass (Bromus… more
Dry Bed Canal open to fish salvage
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Fish and Game issued a salvage order for the Dry Bed Canal on the South Fork Snake River on Wednesday, November 2.
The salvage, which suspends fish bag, possession, and size limits only on the Dry Bed Canal, is effective November 2 through November 30.
The stretch of the canal covered by this… more
Conservation officer gets rare footage of a mountain lion encounter
| idfg-rphillips
Smartphones allow people to shoot video when something unexpected happens, but ironically, that same phone not working allowed Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Rob Howe to get some amazing footage of a mountain lion.
He was on the phone getting directions from fellow officer Andrew Sorenson to prominent point… more
Protecting Fish with Vaccines
| idfg-jtrushenski
We all know the importance of preventative medicine, and many of us get in line for ‘flu shot’ vaccinations before the start of flu season. Vaccines can also be used to protect fish from disease.
Coldwater disease is a common bacterial infection in fish and it has been a persistent challenge for… more
Weekly Steelhead Fishing Summary for Salmon River (10/31/16)
| idfg-vosborn
Steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River continued to increase this past week. Effort increased upstream of North Fork in location codes 16 and 17, but the majority of angler effort was once again concentrated downstream of North Fork in location codes 14 and 15. Anglers interviewed downstream of… more
Hunters: Call toll-free number for hunter reports, online reporting unavailable
| idfg-mdemick
Big game hunters are reminded that the online hunter report form is still unavailable.
Currently, the only way to file a hunter report for deer, elk and pronghorn is to call the toll-free number at 877-268-9365 and speak to a live operator 24-hour a day, 7 days a week. Please have your hunting license number… more
Youth pheasant hunting opportunity available near Potlatch
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Department of Fish and Game is working with an area landowner and the Game Bird Foundation to provide youth pheasant hunting opportunities on a 975 acre Access Yes! parcel on the Palouse River, north of Potlatch, Idaho.
Eligible youth must be 17 years or younger, possess a valid hunting license or… more
Winchester Lake Dam Set for Repairs
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Department of Fish and Game is currently dropping water levels in Winchester Lake in order to make repairs to the dam. The reservoir will be down around 8’ below the high water mark during this project. Work is scheduled to begin on October 31st and will take several weeks to complete. Boaters should be aware… more