Fish and Game Gives Anglers What They Want: Bigger Fish

Mon, 02/02/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

The results of a four year study using an evaluation tool developed by IDFG fishery biologists called "Tag-You're-It" has Fish and Game managers taking a new approach to stocking many of Idaho's lakes and reservoirs with larger rainbow trout. This year, many of the state's most heavily stocked still-water fisheries… more

Setting Fishing Rules for 2016 - 2018 and Providing Input on Angler Access Needs

Mon, 02/02/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

Over the next few months, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game will be collecting public input and ideas for fishing rules that will be in effect from 2016 - 2018 and also asking where anglers need new or better access facilities. Beginning in February, fish and game staff around the state will hold a series of… more

Idaho and Oregon to Capture Brownlee Bighorn Sheep

Mon, 02/02/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) plan to capture bighorn sheep in both states near Brownlee Dam in February. For more information regarding the capture effort, contact wildlife manager Regan Berkley at Fish and Game's McCall office: 208-634-8137. The… more

Ask Fish & Game: Lifetime License

Mon, 02/02/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

Q: If I buy a lifetime license and leave the state, do I have to pay nonresident tag fees? A: Yes. The lifetime license is valid regardless of where you live. Over years, you will save serious money on the license itself. But tag fees for nonresidents would apply if you become a resident of another state or country… more

OP-ED: Idaho's Wildlife Professionals to Advocacy Groups: Stop Crying Wolf

Thu, 01/29/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-lfrench

By Virgil Moore, Director, Idaho Fish and Game It's important for state agencies to understand and respect differing points of view. But when a few advocacy groups try to grab headlines by skewing Idaho Fish and Game scientific wolf monitoring data in ways that simply aren't true, it's also important to set the… more

Trophy Mule Deer Poached on Outskirts of Twin Falls

Thu, 01/29/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-mdemick

Idaho Fish and Game Officers in the Magic Valley are actively investigating a recent case involving a trophy class mule deer killed during the closed season. The deer was likely killed on the night of Monday, January 26th or on Tuesday, January 27th. Based on witness information, it is believed this is a large trophy… more

Road to Hells Canyon Dam to Re-open Friday

Wed, 01/28/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

The road has been closed since last Wednesday due to a large rock slide. Crews are still removing boulders and other debris. Motorists should expect delays and use extreme caution in the canyon. OXBOW, Oregon, Jan. 27, 2015 - Idaho Power plans to re-open Hells Canyon Road at 9 a.m. Friday, following partial removal of… more

IDFG to Present Update on Lake Pend Oreille Fishery

Tue, 01/27/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

For Idaho Panhandle anglers and biologists alike, one of the greatest highlights of 2014 was watching scores of anglers enjoy great Kokanee fishing on Lake Pend Oreille. In response to the growth in the kokanee population, the kokanee bag limit was increased last spring from 6 fish to 15 fish. Anglers took notice and… more

Ask Fish and Game: Price Lock

Mon, 01/26/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

Q: If the legislature approves the new "Price Lock" plan, how soon can I lock in my fees? A: Right away! If you purchase and maintain an annual license starting in 2015, your price will be "locked in" meaning you will be exempt from the proposed fee increase.

Anglers Enjoy Strong Steelhead Return to Clearwater

Mon, 01/26/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

Anglers fishing the Clearwater River are enjoying a healthy increase in the number of steelhead returning. After a lackluster season in 2013-2014, the number of "B-run" steelhead is up in 2015, and anglers are taking advantage. Creel surveys and angler reports for the week ending on January 25 indicate good success… more

Fish and Game Director Delivers Annual Report to Commission

Mon, 01/26/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

Fish and Game Director Virgil Moore has delivered his annual report to the Fish and Game Commission. The report documents business conducted by the Department of Fish and Game during 2014, and outlines a vision for the future. The report can be found at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/about/?getPage=270… more

Challis Conservation Officer Receives Shikar-Safari Award

Mon, 01/26/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

Each year, Shikar-Safari Club honors a "Wildlife Officer of the Year" in Idaho, and this year's honoree is Senior Conservation Officer Malcolm Clemenhagen. In nominating Clemenhagen for the award, his superior officer praised him for work effort, conservation law enforcement, productivity, calls for service, covering… more

Idaho Wolf Population Remains Well Above Federal Recovery Levels; Livestock Depredations Down

Mon, 01/26/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

During their scheduled meeting in Boise on January 21, the Fish and Game Commission was updated on the status of Idaho's wolf population. Staff Biologist Jim Hayden's report offered three key messages: Idaho's wolf population is well above all standards for a recovered population; wolf monitoring was intensified and… more

Mild Winter Keeps Idaho Deer and Elk Herds Strong

Mon, 01/26/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

After a banner year for Idaho hunters, deer and elk populations continue to benefit from mild winter conditions. Preliminary harvest surveys suggest high harvest and high success rates in 2014. In the 2014 hunting season, Fish and Game sold more than 157,000 deer tags and more than 93,000 elk tags, exceeding numbers… more

Commission Sets Seasons for Trophy Species

Mon, 01/26/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

The Fish and Game Commission has set seasons for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goats for 2015. The new rules will include the following changes: Panhandle Region - Add 20 additional antlered moose tags and additional hunting opportunity for antlerless moose hunts. Clearwater Region - Extend season for… more

Upper Snake Master Naturalists Seeking Volunteers

Fri, 01/23/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

The most active chapter of Idaho Master Naturalists (IMN) in the state is announcing registration for its 6th wave of certification classes. In order to become a master naturalist, each participant is required to take part in the initial 40-hour certification and then participate in eight hours of training annually,… more

Rockslide Closes Access to Hells Canyon

Thu, 01/22/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

The only road to Hells Canyon Dam could be closed for up to a week due to a large rock slide that completely blocked the road about three miles north of Hells Canyon Park Wednesday afternoon. Idaho Power crews have been working on clearing the slide since Wednesday January 21, and expect work to continue into the… more

Road Repairs to Close Ft. Boise W M A Boat Ramp

Thu, 01/22/2015 - 00:00 | idfg-sliebenthal

With waterfowl season drawing to a close, and the spring fishing season right around the corner, the lull in between is the best time for maintenance work. Beginning Monday January 26th, Fish and Game staff will be taking advantage of this slow period to make much needed repairs on the primary access road into Ft. Boise… more