Press Releases and Articles
Clearwater Region steelhead fishing report (3/5/18)
| idfg-vosborn
This past week the South Fork of the Clearwater had the best catch rates. The best fishing was from milepost 6 up to Mt. Idaho on Highway 14. The anglers on the South Fork were using a variety of different gear types and there was not one method that was more successful than another.
Effort has begun to… more
2017 total deer and elk harvest above average, but mule deer was down
| idfg-rphillips
Hunters took more elk and white-tailed deer in 2017 than in 2016, but mule deer harvest was down. With a much milder winter so far, Fish and Game biologists expect the drop in mule deer harvest to be short lived as herds recover from last year’s difficult winter across Central and Southern Idaho.
The… more
Upper Salmon River weekly steelhead harvest report (3/5/18)
| idfg-vosborn
Steelhead angler effort increased this past week on the upper Salmon River. The majority of anglers were observed fishing downstream of North Fork in location code 15, but an increase in effort was also observed upstream, between North Fork and Ellis. Bank angler effort downstream of the Middle Fork in location code… more
March Shooting Events at BCR
| idfg-eoneale
March is a busy month at Black's Creek Public Shooting Range (BCR) with ten special shooting events scheduled. Or maybe you'd just like to come out for a little recreational shooting. Either way, we look forward to seeing you at BCR!
The list of scheduled shoots includes two M1 Carbine shoots, a Small Bore… more
Licensing system is back online and sales have resumed
| idfg-bstuder
The Fish and Game licensing system is back online with our new contractor and licensing system. We appreciate your patience as we get used to the new system!
Not all vendors have machines at this time. Out of the 434 vendors, 302 have them already, 79 will be delivered Wednesday, and the remaining should be… more
Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule
| idfg-eoneale
Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatchery will be releasing more than 17,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during March.
Location Week Stocked Number of Trout
Boise River - above Glenwood Bridge March 5 1,440
Boise River - below Glenwood Bridge… more
F&G license sales will pause at 11 p.m. (Mountain Time), Feb. 28 and resume March 1
| idfg-rphillips
Fish and Game’s licensing system will temporarily shut down at 11 p.m. (Mountain Time), Feb. 28, and the plan is to resume selling licenses with the new system around noon on March 1.
During this period, no licenses, tags or permits will be issued. The rollout of the new license-sales system coincides with… more
Upper Salmon weekly steelhead report (2/26/18)
| idfg-vosborn
Steelhead angler effort was much lower this week on the upper Salmon River compared to previous weeks. Overnight lows in the mid-teens, down to single digits, resulted in slush ice forming throughout the week. High winds also moved into the area on Saturday and Sunday. Anglers were observed fishing downstream of North… more
Mountain lion management includes close encounters with cats
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho has an abundant and self-sustaining population of mountain lions, and they’re an animal that Fish and Game officers and biologists deal with on a fairly regular basis during winter. This winter is no exception.
Recent incidents have included a mountain lion killed by local sheriff’s deputies near an… more
Fish and Game Commission does not support House Bill 536 to revise trespass laws
| idfg-rphillips
Promoting respect for private property is a priority for the Idaho Fish and Game Commission because privately owned lands provide important wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities in Idaho.
The commission does not support H536 out of concern it would make Idaho’s current trespass laws less enforceable… more
More trout are heading to Idaho fishing holes in 2018
| idfg-rphillips
Do anglers prefer more trout or larger trout? Idaho Fish and Game is answering that question by providing both in 2018 and beyond.
Fish and Game will stock more rainbow trout throughout the state than in recent years thanks to the 2017 license and tag fee increase, and many trout will be bigger… more
Upper Salmon River steelhead harvest report (2/19/18)
| idfg-vosborn
Despite colder weather moving into the area, steelhead anglers continued having success over the past week on the upper Salmon River.
Angler effort was heavily concentrated in location code 15 between the Middle Fork and the North Fork. Anglers were observed fishing in other areas of the river between North… more
It's Still Ice Fishing Season!!
| idfg-rhand
The days may be getting longer, but there’s still some great opportunity to get out ice fishing! Looking for something a little bit different through the ice? Check out Soldier’s Meadow Reservoir for some great kokanee action, or maybe head to Deer Creek Reservoir for Tiger Trout or Brook Trout. Regardless of where… more
Spring steelhead anglers: Remember reduced steelhead limits through June
| idfg-rphillips
Steelhead anglers are reminded that Fish and Game commissioners extended the reduced bag and possession limits for the 2018 spring steelhead season, which starts January 1.
Daily steelhead bag limits are two daily and six in possession statewide. Only adipose fin-clipped steelhead may be harvested. Steelhead… more
Map Rock boat ramp on Snake River temporarily closed for improvement project
| idfg-rphillips
Work begins Feb. 26 on a fishing access improvement project at the Map Rock boat ramp along the Snake River south of Nampa, which will require public closure to the work site. The site is about 6 miles downstream from Walters Ferry on Map Rock Road on the north side of the river. It is one of five Fish and Game… more
South Fork incentive program means anglers can get bucks for 'bows
| idfg-jbrower
The South Fork Angler Incentive Program continues on the South Fork of the Snake River, and Fish and Game biologist Brett High was recently on the river capturing fish and putting coded wire tags in the snouts of rainbow trout and rainbow/cutthroat hybrids.
The 777 marked trout are worth between $50 to $1,000… more
Clearwater steelhead fishing report (2/14/18)
| idfg-bstuder
Catch rates were slower this past week on the North Fork of the Clearwater (river sect 05). Anglers were spread out throughout this area and were seen using bobber and jig set-ups.
Most of the angling effort on the main stem of the Clearwater was focused around the Slaughter House hole (Dworshak… more
Kokanee Salvage Fishery Opened
| idfg-bbowersox
Hi everybody.
We have been getting some reports that kokanee are being flushed through Dworshak Dam, and flows are supposed to pick up again next week which could increase this entrainment. As such, our Director has approved the opening of a kokanee salvage season in the North Fork Clearwater River downstream… more