Press Releases and Articles
F&G will not give away spawned steelhead at hatcheries during spring
| idfg-rphillips
Fish and Game will be spawning adult steelhead during spring at the Pahsimeroi and Sawtooth hatcheries, but those fish will not be given away at the hatcheries. Instead, the Pahsimeroi and Sawtooth hatcheries will contact local food banks to help distribute steelhead carcasses for public consumption.
All… more
Three orphaned mountain lion kittens from the Magic Valley Region transferred to out-of-state zoos
| idfg-tthompson
Fish and Game officials recently captured three mountain lion kittens in two separate incidents, one in Twin Falls County near Murtaugh, the other in the Wood River Valley near Hailey. All three kittens were monitored prior to capture to ensure there was not a female lion in the area. After capture by Fish and Game… more
Henrys Lake Quarterly Newsletter, March 2020
| idfg-jvincent
Each year the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) spawn Yellowstone cutthroat trout (YCT) at the Henrys Lake Fisheries Management Station. More than 10,000 trout entered our spawn shed during the month of February, while thousands more were still staging in the lake getting ready to move upstream. Over… more
March 23: Upper Salmon steelhead fishing report
| idfg-bbeller
Angler effort on the upper Salmon River increased this past week, especially in location code 17 near Ellis. Catch rates remained good downstream of North Fork in location code 15, and continued to improve upstream of Challis, in location codes 18 and 19 although angler effort in these areas remained low.
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Fish and Game thanks volunteers who gave of their time to rehabilitate wildlife habitat in the Magic Valley
| idfg-tthompson
In 2011, the Blair Fire north of King Hill consumed approximately 39,600 acres of prime winter range for mule deer. Before the fire, this area typically supported about 5,000 wintering mule deer who relied on sagebrush and bitterbrush for winter nutrition. Almost immediately after the fire, Fish and Game, BLM, along… more
F&G seeking comments on migratory game bird hunting season proposals
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the upcoming migratory game bird seasons, including waterfowl, mourning dove, American crow and sandhill crane. Comments will be accepted through April 3.
The public can review the full proposals and comment online on Fish and Game’s public… more
F&G completes land deals in Clearwater Region, securing access for hunters and anglers
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game recently finalized two land deals in the Clearwater Region, preserving access to a stretch of river frontage that is a popular destination for salmon and steelhead anglers, and adding additional access to the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area.
The first agreement was for the purchase… more
Southwest Region Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule - April
| idfg-eoneale
Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatchery will be releasing more than 24,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during April.
Fishing is part of a healthy lifestyle and costs very little to get started. An annual fishing license costs around $30, and children under 14 years of age do… more
Application period for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat controlled hunts opens April 1
| idfg-bpearson
The application period for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat controlled hunts begins on April 1 and runs through April 30. Hunters can apply online or by telephone by calling (800) 554-8685.
To apply for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat hunts, each applicant must possess a 2020 Idaho hunting or… more
Monitoring salmon and steelhead headed to the ocean - the Snake River Smolt Trap
| idfg-sputnam
Each year during the final weeks of February, IDFG crews install a fish trap on the Snake River between Lewiston, ID and Clarkston, WA. The 90-foot trap is tethered to the Interstate Bridge, also known as “The Blue Bridge.” Assembling the trap takes about one week. Click on the video below to see the process.
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Recent F&G survey finds increase in mountain goats in the Selkirks since 2001
| idfg-lwolf
In February 2020, Panhandle Fish & Game biologists completed an aerial survey of mountain goats in Unit 1. A total of 57 goats were counted in the Selkirk Mountains, up from 34 goats seen during the last survey in 2001.
The small portion of the Cabinet Mountains in Idaho held… more
F&G commission approves 2020 spring Chinook salmon season
| idfg-bpearson
The Fish and Game Commission on March 20 approved spring Chinook fishing on the Clearwater, Snake, Salmon and Little Salmon rivers to start April 25, 2020 and run until closed by the Fish and Game director.
Full rules will available on Fish and Game’s website soon. Printed rules will be available prior to the… more
Attention elk hunters: If you apply for a controlled elk hunt in 2020, you can not buy a capped elk zone tag until five days after they go on sale
| idfg-rphillips
At its March 20 meeting, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission established a five-day waiting period to purchase capped elk zone tags for any resident who applies for a controlled elk hunt regardless of whether the person draws the controlled hunt tag. Capped elk zone tags go on sale in July.
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One golden eagle's amazing journey from Alaska's Arctic to Idaho's Salmon River
| idfg-jbruns
By Wildlife Diversity Biologist, Joel Sauder
Many wildlife species need large landscapes to survive and thrive. Elk often summer at higher elevations and move 10-50 miles to find winter ranges at lower elevations. Songbirds that summer in Idaho can winter in the Southwest US, Mexico, or even further abroad.… more
Online Hunter Education temporarily waives field day, allowing certification to continue uninterrupted
| idfg-imalepeai
In response to updated COVID-19 guidance from Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for public events, Idaho Fish and Game has temporarily waived the requirement to attend an in-person field day for online hunter education certification.
The temporary waiver allows students who complete the online course the… more
March 2020 Farragut Range limited use
| idfg-ksiitari
The handgun/50 yard range will be unavailable the following dates and times due to private reservations:
March 21, 2020, 1-4 p.m. March 28, 2020, 9 a.m. - noonThe Farragut Public Shooting Range hosts activities that enhance and strengthen the shooting sports. The range is available for reserved use to… more
Black bears are Idaho’s forest bears
| idfg-scassinelli
Most bears we see in Idaho are black bears, and as spring arrives, they will be waking from their winter sleep, leaving their cozy dens to find food. This month’s Wildlife Express covers these surprisingly shy, secretive animals, as well as springtime activities to enjoy outdoors to beat the winter blahs.… more
Idaho Fish and Game cancels events due to COVID-19 virus
| idfg-rphillips
In response to updated guidance from Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for public events, Idaho Fish and Game has canceled several events and limited access to facilities, such as hatcheries. Cancellations are limited to specific events and hunting and fishing seasons are unaffected.
“I am proud of our… more