Press Releases and Articles
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
Mountain Lion Killed near Bruneau Elementary School
| Anonymous (not verified)
A mountain lion that spent a portion of the morning in a tree on the Bruneau Elementary School grounds was later shot and killed.
The cat was spotted about 8:00am and school authorities immediately locked the school down and contacted the Fish and Game Office in Nampa. “We did not have a conservation officer… more
Public Open House for Fishing Regulations and Salmon Season Setting at McCall Office IDFG Tuesday Feb. 20th
| idfg-dallen
Open house scheduled for February 20th at the McCall IDFG Office will help shape fishing rules and long-term management of Idaho waters. During February and March, Fish and Game’s fisheries managers will work with the public to shape three fishing proposals: 2018 Chinook Salmon seasons, upcoming statewide fishing… more
Make sure your prices are correct for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat applications
| idfg-rphillips
To ensure applications are correctly entered, hunters applying for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat tags in April are encouraged to apply online, by phone or in person at Fish and Game offices or license vendors.
Application fees for these species have increased for both residents and nonresidents, and… more
CAP Call Catches Poachers Before Leaving Idaho With Ill-Gotten Gains
| idfg-dmeyer
On Sunday December 10, Idaho Fish and Game Officers received a call from the Citizens Against Poaching hotline regarding deer remains found in the desert north of Eden. A concerned sportsman was worried that the deer may have been shot with a rifle in an archery only hunt. The caller was uncertain that this was a… more
Waterfowl Dumped near Kuna Butte
| Anonymous (not verified)
Fish and Game is asking the public for information regarding two recent cases of wanton waste associated with the dumping of multiple Canada goose, mallard and goldeneye carcasses near Kuna Butte, southwest of Kuna.
Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) is offering a reward for information in the case and callers… more
Upper Salmon River weekly steelhead fishing report (2/5/18)
| idfg-vosborn
A mild winter has resulted in a much earlier start to the spring 2018 upper Salmon River steelhead fishery compared to previous years.
Creel personnel began interviewing anglers on Friday, February 2nd. Catch rates were excellent on Friday, but Salmon River conditions deteriorated over the weekend due to… more