Press Releases and Articles
Clearwater Region trapper education class Jan 26
| idfg-jbruns
IDFG has scheduled a standard trapper education class on January 26 at the Clearwater Fish Hatchery in Ahsahka (near Orofino). The class will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a lunch break at midday. See the link below for more information or to register for the class. You also may register in person at the IDFG office… more
New Sportsman Access area opens near Letha on the Payette River
| idfg-eoneale
Sheep Camp Landing, a new Lower Payette River access site near Letha, is open to the public and two familiar Lower Payette River sites have undergone site improvements during fall and winter.
Bass and catfish anglers, and waterfowl hunters will be some of the beneficiaries of these access improvements.… more
Respect wintering wildlife, it's a critical time for their survival
| idfg-jtjaden
Wintertime is an exceptional time of year to be in the great outdoors. From snow covered mountains and valleys to the intermittent snow-packed sagebrush of the high desert steppe, there is always something to be offered out there, for even the most timid of recreationalists. This is also the time of year… more
Weekly Steelhead Harvest Report from Clearwater Region (1/6/19)
| idfg-vosborn
The majority of the fishing effort on the main stem of the Clearwater was up around Orofino. There were still a few people fishing between Hog Island and the Paper Mill who reported successful fishing trips.
The anglers fishing along the bank on the North Fork were reporting success but catch rates and effort… more
Bruneau man 'Caught in the Act of Doing Good'
| idfg-blowe
Anglers, hunters and trappers throughout Idaho do some pretty remarkable things in a given year. Most of those acts, unfortunately, go unnoticed. What does get noticed are the unethical behaviors like the indignant display of harvested animals, waste of game meat, abuse of motorized vehicles, shot up signs … more
Fish and Game wants to hear from hunters on big game seasons for 2019-20
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Fish and Game wants to hear from hunters on proposed changes to deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear, mountain lion and wolf seasons for 2019-2020. Hunters are encouraged to attend open house meetings in Salmon and Challis to provide their comments.
Open houses will be held at the following:
Salmon… more
Controlled hunt application periods for spring black bear opens Jan. 15, spring turkey Feb. 1
| idfg-rphillips
Hunters who are looking to apply for controlled bear or turkey hunts during spring can apply in January and February. The application period for spring controlled black bear hunts kicks off on Jan. 15 and runs through Feb. 15. Applications for the spring turkey controlled hunts will be accepted from Feb. 1 through… more
Fish and Game Commission to meet Jan. 23-24 in Boise
| idfg-rphillips
The Fish and Game Commission will hold its annual meeting Jan. 23-24 with the public hearing starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23 in the Main Auditorium of the Washington Group Building at 720 E. Park Blvd. in Boise. Members of the public can address the commission on any matters related to Fish and Game at that time… more
White-tailed deer depredation study underway in Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
White-tailed deer crop depredation rates have increased in the Clearwater Region of northern Idaho the past few years. In the past, multiple deterrent methods targeted at reducing wildlife damage have been tested, including propane exploders, fencing, and lethal removal. Although these deterrents are all feasible,… more
Tiger Trout, an exciting new fishery at Deer Creek Reservoir
| idfg-rhand
By: Robert Hand and Joe Dupont
Deer Creek Reservoir is a 75 acre lake located in Clearwater County about 10 miles north of the town of Pierce, Idaho. This reservoir has become a popular destination for anglers because of its beautiful scenery and the unique trout fishing opportunity it provides. … more
Magic Valley Ice Fishing Report
| idfg-jthiessen
2019 Ice Fishing Report: January
Magic Reservoir: Yellow Perch, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass
December saw sketchy ice conditions and fishing was slow, with a few reports of 8” Perch being caught off the dam. January has turned on for Perch fishing, with buckets of 8-10” fish being caught… more
Bees to Bears Climate Adaptation Project Video
| idfg-mlucid
The Idaho Panhandle Bees to Bears Climate Adaptation Project is working to restore 250 acres of forested lowland habitat, a priority conservation target in Idaho's State Wildlife Action Plan. This project is being implemented on the Boundary-Smith Creek Wildlife Management Area and to help 6 Species of Greatest… more
Helicopter crews take flight for Panhandle elk study
| idfg-ksiitari
Helicopter crews will fly the Silver Valley, North Fork Coeur d’Alene River and St. Joe River drainages to capture and collar elk for the sixth year of an ongoing elk survival study. This data helps inform big game seasons and address factors limiting to herd health and hunting opportunity.
Over the winter,… more
Mountain Lion Take Season Closed in Units 70, 73, and 73A in Southeast Idaho
| idfg-jjackson
The take season for mountain lion has closed in Game Management Units 70, 73, and 73A in southeast Idaho effective January 7, 2019. 2017-2018 Big Game Seasons and Rules states that the mountain lion take season is to be closed when 8 female mountain lions have been harvested. This harvest limit has been met. dog… more
Kid’s Ice Fishing Derby planned Feb 2 at Jimmy Smith Lake
| idfg-mdemick
Bundle up the kids, grab the fishing gear and head to Jimmy Smith Lake Saturday, Feb. 2 for the 4th Annual Kid’s Ice Fishing Derby.
The free event is for youth ages 16 and under and will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is from 9:30 to noon. All kids who register before noon and are present… more
Fish and Game Dispatches Mountain Lion in Lava Hot Springs
| idfg-jjackson
A mountain lion was dispatched by Idaho Department Fish and Game in the town of Lava Hot Springs just before midnight on January 4.
Bannock County Sheriff’s Office notified Idaho Fish and Game at 6:47 pm Friday night that a mountain lion had been observed walking through Lava Hot Springs, even coming within… more
Bird Hunters and Dog Walkers
| idfg-dmegargle
While you are outdoors enjoying the many recreational opportunities that Idaho has to offer, please be aware during this time of year that trapping season is open and traps may be set near your favorite place to hunt or hike. If by chance your dog does wonder into a trap there are… more
Fish and Game Publishes Snail and Slug Monitoring Tool
| idfg-mlucid
If you are planning to celebrate the New Year with a couple of beers you might have more in common with snails and slugs than you think. Idaho Fish and Game recently published a paper evaluating the best ways to do surveys for snails and slugs and, among other things, we tested the old gardening… more