Press Releases and Articles
Lake Pend Oreille Walleye Telemetry Update
| idfg-mcorsi
Walleye were illegally introduced into Noxon Reservoir (Montana) in the early 1990’s. Noxon Reservoir is upstream of Lake Pend Oreille on the Clark Fork River. Walleye spawn below Thompson Falls Dam (the upstream end of Noxon Reservoir) and their fry naturally drift downstream after hatching, which is likely how they… more
F&G assumes management of Hagerman steelhead hatchery
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game recently reached an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assume operations of the Hagerman National Fish Hatchery, which raises about 1.6 million juvenile steelhead for release in the Upper Salmon River Basin.
Fish and Game’s Fisheries Bureau Chief Jim Fredericks said… more
Tips for a safe hunting season
| idfg-mdemick
With many hunters heading outdoors with firearms, it is a good time to think about gun safety.
Some people have the mistaken impression that because firearms are used, hunting is a dangerous activity. While there is always the potential that a hunter will be involved in a firearm accident, statistics… more
Waterfowl hunts open in portions of the state Oct. 6 and most others open Oct. 13
| idfg-rphillips
Duck and Canada goose seasons open Oct. 6 in Area 2 and most of the remainder of the state opens on Oct. 13.
Idaho hunters can expect waterfowl populations similar to last year. There may be some improvements in the early season due to a wet spring that provided good nesting conditions for local birds. … more
Transplant gives smallmouth bass a jumpstart in the Lower Payette River
| idfg-mpeterson
The lower Payette River between Black Canyon Dam and its confluence with the Snake River was known for supporting a robust smallmouth bass population prior to the winter of 2012-13. In early February of 2013, a sediment release from Black Canyon Dam lead to a fish kill. A fish population survey… more
Survey finds most mule deer hunters satisfied, but hunting management could improve
| idfg-rphillips
Most mule deer hunters are satisfied with hunting in Idaho, and their attitudes and preferences have not changed much over the last decade, according to a survey conducted by Idaho Fish and Game in 2017.
Continuing family hunting traditions, the opportunity to hunt mule deer every year, and maintaining… more
Clearwater pheasant releases prepare for upcoming youth and general seasons
| idfg-jbruns
Pheasants will be released at both the Palouse River upland game area and Lloyd Ranch access site prior to the Oct. 6 through Oct.12 youth pheasant season. Birds will continue to be released throughout the general season Oct. 13 through Dec. 31.
Released birds will be banded with individual numbers to evaluate… more
Whitetail hunters should anticipate shorter season in Unit 10A
| idfg-jbruns
Dworshak area hunters should be aware that the Idaho Fish and Game commission shortened the deer hunting season in Unit 10A for 2018. Whitetail hunting will end on Nov. 20 this year instead of the traditional date of Dec. 1. Commissioners also disallowed the use second, non-resident deer tags in unit 10A in an effort… more
Hunting, trapping, licensing and other proposed rules up for comment until Oct. 24
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public comment on proposed rules adopted by the Fish and Game Commission, published in October in the Idaho Administrative Bulletin. Publication of the proposed rules provides for additional public comments, which will be considered by the Commission at their November 13-14 in Coeur d’… more
Reduced steelhead limit extended until Dec. 31
| idfg-rphillips
To continue reduced harvest on hatchery steelhead and protect wild steelhead, Idaho Fish and Game is continuing the one-fish bag limit for steelhead until Dec. 31. The lower bag limit applies in the mainstem Clearwater River, Middle Fork Clearwater River, North Fork of the Clearwater River, South Fork Clearwater River… more
Updated Oct. 4: Please buy your deer tags early; nonresident general deer tags sold out, whitetail tags available
| idfg-rphillips
Please don’t wait until the last minute to buy your hunting license and deer tags. Fish and Game is anticipating high volumes of sales immediately before the opening day of deer season on Oct. 10. Avoid the long lines and potential wait by buying your tags early.
Nonresident general deer tags have sold out,… more
Youth pheasant hunt runs Oct. 6 through Oct. 12
| idfg-rphillips
Youth 17 years old and younger with an Idaho hunting license can participate in the youth pheasant hunt so long as they're accompanied by an Idaho licensed hunter age 18 years or older.
The youth hunt runs from Saturday, Oct. 6 through Oct. 12.
Pheasant hunting starts… more
Hunting access update: St. Joe National Forest road closures
| idfg-lwolf
Hunters should beware as they head into the woods for hunting season that there are road closures on the St. Joe National Forest.
South of Avery, the Fishhook - Gold Center Road (No. 301) is closed until mid to late October for public safety as rock fall hazards in the historic Fishhook Tunnel are repaired.… more
Fish and Game and volunteers band ducks in the Panhandle
| idfg-bpetersen
Another successful year of duck banding recently wrapped up on Panhandle Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). Over the course of a week, Idaho Fish and Game staff and community volunteers at Boundary Smith Creek, McArthur Lake, and Coeur d’Alene River WMAs were able to put bands on over 700 ducks. The… more
Getting ready to buy your hunting license? Consider a three-year license
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho hunters can buy a three-year hunting license or three-year hunting/fishing combo and not have to worry about buying another license until 2021.
The price for a three-year resident hunting license is $34.75 (plus vendor fees) and $97 (plus vendor fees) for a three-year combo license.
Benefits of… more
Hunters may be affected by prescribed fires near Gibbonsville
| idfg-mdemick
Hunters planning to pursue game in the Gibbonsville area this fall should beware that prescribed fire activities may occur from October through December on both sides of Highway 93 from Lick Creek north to Lost Trail Pass.
Salmon-Challis National Forest officials will use several methods of prescribed fire… more
Indian Hill Road on the Nez Perce/Clearwater Forest closed until Sept. 28
| idfg-jbruns
The first two miles of Indian Hill Road are currently closed to all motorized vehicles through September 28 for public health and safety during road construction and repair, according to the Forest Service. Forest officials will monitor the need for further updates to the closure order as roadwork progresses.
… more
Mountain lion captured and euthanized in Coeur d'Alene
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game officials on Monday, Sept. 24 captured and euthanized a mountain lion that was found in a tree in Coeur d’Alene near the Kootenai Medical Center. The cat was euthanized to protect public safety after a rash of mountain lion incidents have occurred this year in Idaho and neighboring states. … more