Press Releases and Articles
Ice fishing means winter fun, and here's how (and where) to get started
| idfg-rphillips
We have good news for anglers: There’s no offseason for fishing in Idaho, and we don’t believe in cabin fever when there are so many outdoor activities during winter. Ice fishing provides a fun way to get out of the house for a day or a weekend and catch fish.
Ice fishing is pretty self… more
Lake Cascade ice fishing conditions update: Dec. 10, 2020
| idfg-mthomas
Ice fishing season has finally arrived on Lake Cascade! Anglers can expect another great season in 2020-21, and you can read a full Lake Cascade fishing outlook. Recent weather conditions have created a layer of solid, clear ice throughout much of the lake. On Dec. 10, we visited each major lake access area… more
Coeur d’Alene Lake Kokanee Spawners Largest since the 1950s
| idfg-ccamacho
Many anglers on Coeur d’Alene Lake reported catching very large kokanee this year, so it is no surprise that this year’s spawning kokanee adults achieved near record size. Each year, Idaho Fish and Game staff conduct a netting survey to evaluate the size of spawning kokanee in Coeur d’Alene Lake. In 2020, the… more
A tip from the public assists in learning more about the bull moose poached in southern Idaho
| idfg-tthompson
A recent Fish and Game press release asked the public for help in solving the case of a bull moose killed illegally in Unit 54, south of Twin Falls. The Department is pleased to let the public know that with their help, we have received important new information regarding this case.
Following the plea for… more
Fish and Game provides a mentored waterfowl hunt for disabled American veterans
| idfg-tthompson
For the past several years, the Idaho Division of Veteran Services has partnered with staff from Fish and Game, Magic Valley Region to provide opportunities for disabled American veterans to enjoy a day of mentored waterfowl hunting. Depending on the year, four to eight veterans have participated in mentored duck… more
Ice-fishing is a great excuse to get outdoors this winter in the Magic Valley
| idfg-tthompson
It’s that time of year for some hard-water fishing, also known as ice-fishing. If cold weather conditions stay consistent throughout the winter season, the Magic Valley Region has numerous reservoirs, lakes and ponds that can provide fishing fun while also providing fish for the dinner table.
Don't forget to… more
Public can comment on moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat season proposals starting Dec. 14
| idfg-rphillips
Fish and Game will be setting new seasons for upcoming moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunts in early 2021 and gathering public input on proposals starting Dec. 14.
Due to Covid, as well as an effort to include more hunters in the season-setting process, traditional, in-person open houses are not… more
Bureau of Land Management announces winter closures of Stinking Springs and Egin-Hamer areas to protect wintering wildlife
| idfg-jbrower
Stinking Springs, Egin area temporarily closed over winter to protect wildlife
In collaboration with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), the Bureau of Land Management Upper Snake Field Office will temporarily close the Stinking Springs area near the South Fork of the Snake River to all… more
Video: F&G stocks steelhead so Treasure Valley anglers can catch big fish without traveling
| idfg-bpearson
Every year since 1997 — with the exception of 2019 — Idaho Fish and Game has stocked steelhead in the Boise River, and fishing for them has become a popular November tradition for anglers.
Fish and Game stocked between 400 and 450 steelhead in the Boise River during November in 2020, and anglers will have a… more
Forest Services announces annual winter closures for the Caribou-Targhee
| idfg-jbrower
The U.S. Forest Service has announced their annual winter travel restrictions for the Caribou-Targhee National Forest to protect wintering wildlife when they are most vulnerable. Some roads and areas on the Targhee Forest will begin to close between Nov.27 and Dec.15.Please be responsible when using the great… more
Fish and Game captures and treats sick cow moose in Hailey
| idfg-tthompson
Over the past two weeks Fish and Game received several reports from Hailey, Idaho residents of a sick cow moose with a calf. Residents reported that the moose had what appeared to be severely infected eyes. On Wednesday, December 2, 2020 a local resident reported the cow and calf were in their yard, prompting Fish and… more
MK Nature Center closed Dec. 8-21 for parking lot construction
| idfg-bpearson
The MK Nature Visitor Center in Boise will be closed Dec. 8 through Dec. 21 for parking lot construction.
The license desk will also be unavailable until the visitor center reopens. People in the Boise area looking to buy a license or related products during this time can do so at license vendors, online, at… more
Fish and Game seeks information about a bull moose poaching incident in Unit 54, south of Twin Falls
| idfg-tthompson
On October 24, 2020 a hunter in Game Management Unit 54 south of Twin Falls who was hunting near Deadline Ridge found a dead bull moose that had been left to rot. The hunter contacted local Fish and Game officials who found an adult bull moose in a significant level of decomposition indicating it was killed in… more
Wildlife Express: Red squirrels are energetic, noisy acrobats
| idfg-scassinelli
Red squirrels create quite the commotion in Idaho’s forests, especially when it comes to protecting their territory. They will stomp their feet, wave their tail, and scold with churring and rolling chatter. They might even growl.
This month’s Wildlife Express provides a closer look at these energetic stashers… more
Gem Island Boat Ramp Opens in Emmett
| idfg-eoneale
A new boat ramp on the Payette River's Gem Island is now operational. Fish and Game partnered with Gem County to construct the ramp using Bureau of Reclamation mitigation funds.
The Gem Island ramp is the fourth river access completed during the last two years, the others being located at Plaza Bridge, Seven-… more
Lake Cascade should continue to provide excellent multi-species fishing in 2021
| idfg-mthomas
Each year, fisheries biologists in McCall conduct a routine gill-netting survey on Lake Cascade to monitor trends in the fish community. This survey involves an entire week of netting; capturing and measuring enough fish (over one thousand) to get an accurate depiction of the lake community each year. The information… more
Southeast Idaho Winter Feeding Advisory Committee to meet in December
| idfg-jjackson
Southeast Idaho Winter Feeding Advisory Committee Meeting
and Agenda
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
6:30 PM
Southeast Regional IDFG Office
1345 Barton Road
Pocatello, ID… more
Nov 30: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report
| idfg-bbeller
Steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River was low during the last week of November. Angler effort was highest downstream of North Fork in location code 15, and most anglers were observed fishing during the afternoons. Angler effort upstream of North Fork in location codes 16 and 17 was low. Anglers interviewed… more