Press Releases and Articles
'Fences' in streams are picket weirs that help biologists survey salmon and trout migrations
| idfg-kgilliesrector
During the spring or fall you may have seen Idaho Fish and Game staff building metal picket fences across a nearby stream. These fences are actually an important sampling tool called a picket weir that Fish and Game biologists use to capture and sample migrating salmon and trout.
Picket weirs… more
F&G lifts fire restrictions on department managed lands in the Upper Snake Region
| idfg-jbrower
This announcement includes all Idaho Fish and Game (department) managed lands within the following counties: Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison and Teton. The Wildlife Management Areas covered by this announcement include: Tex Creek, Sand Creek, Mud Lake, Market Lake, Deer Parks and Cartier Slough… more
Fish and Game hosting virtual public meeting on Sept. 22 to discuss Priest Lake cold-water bypass
| idfg-tjross
Staff from the Idaho Fish and Game Panhandle Region, along with a private contractor, will share information from a new study that was done to assess the feasibility of a cold-water bypass in Priest Lake aimed at improving trout habitat and fishing in Priest River. The meeting will be held online on… more
Fire restrictions lifted in most of Southwest Idaho
| idfg-bpearson
Editor's Note: This information was compiled from two press releases by the Forest Service. Follow these links to see the original press releases from the Boise National Forest and Payette National ForestWith cooler temperatures and chances of precipitation increasing over the next few weeks, local land management… more
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease detected in Southwest Idaho
| idfg-bpearson
Editor's Note: This press release was updated on Sept. 17 after Fish and Game received confirmation that the sample taken from a white-tailed deer in the Garden Valley area was positive for EHD.A sample collected from dead mule deer in Southwest Idaho has tested positive for epizootic hemorrhagic disease. The deer… more
Additional September notices for Farragut Public Shooting Range
| idfg-tjross
Portions of Farragut Public Shooting Range will be closed to general public use on the following dates and times:
Sept. 19, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., 50 yd. Handgun Range Sept. 25, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., 50 yd. Handgun Range Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 100 yd. Long gun RangeReserved Use: The range is available for… more
Godde/Kroetch access program is open to permit holders starting Sept. 16
| idfg-tjross
Due to the recent rains, cooler temperatures and lifting of area fire restrictions, the Godde / Kroetch Access Program is set to reopen on Sept. 16.
Access to the property is granted by permit only, and the permits can be obtained at the Panhandle Regional Fish and Game office during normal business hours.… more
North Idaho Timber Group reopens lands closed due to wildfire risks
| idfg-rphillips
The North Idaho Timber Group, comprised of Hancock Forest Management, Molpus Woodlands Group, and Stimson Lumber Company, is opening access to private timberlands offered through Idaho Fish and Games’ private land access Large Tracts Program.
Forest conditions are improving with recent rain and cooler… more
Mild winter and hot summer likely to create a mixed bag for upland bird hunters
| idfg-rphillips
Upland bird hunters will likely see average to below-average numbers of upland game birds this fall in most parts of the state with the mild winter benefiting many species, but the hot, dry summer likely hurting survival of young birds that can boost populations when conditions are better.
… more
Returned big game and sage grouse tags go on sale at 10 a.m. MDT on Thursday, Sept. 16
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game will sell returned big game tags and sage grouse tags starting at 10 a.m. MDT on Sept. 16. Tags can be purchased on a first-come, first served basis at Fish and Game offices during normal business hours, at license vendors, online at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com, or by calling (800) 554-8685. A list of… more
Ring-necked pheasants were transplanted into Idaho over 100 years ago and are a prized game bird
| idfg-aevans
If you would like to try pheasant hunting, youth seasons for licensed hunters 17 years or younger run Oct. 2-8. Youth must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Adult seasons vary across the state depending on area and whether the hunter is a resident or nonresident. Check the Upland Game, Turkey and Furbearer… more
Conditions report for waterfowl hunting on Market Lake WMA during the 2021 season
| idfg-jbrower
Drought conditions have resulted in lower than expected water levels in the marshes at Market Lake. Waterfowl hunters will find conditions to be similar to the 2020 season with limited boat access but an abundance of ducks and geese.
While not great news for boaters, shallow water… more
Video: Biologists snorkel headwaters streams to seek and count young salmon and steelhead
| idfg-sputnam
By Colette Crawford, 2021 Lewiston Wild Salmon and Steelhead Snorkel Crew Member
Chinook salmon and steelhead trout populations have been returning to Idaho to spawn for thousands of years. Recently, their numbers have been adversely affected by many factors and we have a neat way to track these trends.… more
Fish salvage order issued for the Big Wood River from Diversion 45 (in Bellevue) to Glendale Road Bridge
| idfg-jthiessen
The Big Wood Canal Company and Wood River Land Trust recently notified Fish and Game of critically low water conditions in the Big Wood River, below Diversion 45 near the town of Bellevue, ID. Due to low flow conditions in the river below Diversion 45, which is already partially dry, Fish and Game has… more
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease detected in white-tailed deer in the Panhandle Region
| idfg-tjross
Multiple samples collected from dead deer in the Panhandle have tested positive for epizootic hemorrhagic disease.
The diseased deer were recently discovered in big game units 2 and 5 in the Plummer, Coeur d’Alene and Rathdrum areas. Fish and Game has also received reports of dead deer in locations ranging… more
F&G will survey sections of the Big Wood River in September
| idfg-dmccarrick
Every three years, Idaho Fish and Game staff conduct a population survey on the Big Wood River. Three sections of the river will be surveyed: north of Ketchum, near Gimlet, and near Hailey. Monitoring population trends allow fisheries biologists to assess the overall health of the population and evaluate the… more
Fish and Game is seeking information on illegal poaching of a black bear sow in Hills Resort area of N. Idaho
| idfg-tjross
What happened
On Sep. 9 Fish and Game staff located a female black bear that had been shot and left to waste near Hills Resort on Priest Lake in North Idaho.
As any local will attest to, Priest Lake is not only known for its beauty, but also for its high densities of both black and grizzly bears.… more
Hunting season is here! Call 800-632-5999 if you see a violation of wildlife law
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho’s wildlife need your help. Idaho Conservation Officers cannot possibly cover the large areas they are assigned. Citizens can call the hotline any time of day or night and report information to an actual person.
"We simply cannot provide the expected level wildlife protection without help from citizens,"… more