Press Releases and Articles
Warm weather hunting requires extra planning and precautions
| idfg-mdemick
Early season big game hunts have started and hunters are already in the field to take advantage of what looks to be another great season.
But with daytime temperatures reaching the mid-90’s and the high risk for wildfires, Idaho Fish and Game encourages early season hunters to plan ahead and keep these weather… more
Fish and Game Commission to meet August 25 in Boise
| idfg-mdemick
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet Friday, August 25 at Fish and Game’s Headquarters office, 600 S. Walnut in Boise.
The meeting will be held in the Trophy Room starting at 11 a.m. MDT. Commissioners will set the 2017 Sage-grouse season, approve the fiscal 2019 budget, and hear reports about the… more
Can triploid cutthroat improve fishing in backcountry lakes?
| idfg-mkoenig
Biologists from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game have researched how to improve stocking alpine lakes for decades,and in recent years have been experimenting with “triploid” trout to see if they might be a better fish for anglers and fisheries managers.
Most trout are “diploid… more
Can triploid cutthroat trout improve fishing in backcountry lakes? Part 1
| idfg-mkoenig
Can triploid cutthroat trout improve fishing in backcountry lakes? Part 1: Setting up for the long game
Biologists from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game have been researching how to improve stocking efforts in alpine lakes for decades. Recently, they have been looking into “triploid”… more
New Catch-and-Release Record Smallmouth
| idfg-mkoenig
Coeur d' Alene Lake produces monster smallmouthCongratulations to Matt Gamble of St. Maries for landing and releasing this 21-inch beauty on August 5, 2017! Matt's fish had the 1/2-inch needed to break the previous record. This bass brings the catch/release smallmouth title to northern Idaho after southern… more
Finding Injured or Orphaned Wildlife: What to Do
| idfg-rberkley
The local Idaho Fish and Game office takes one or more calls every week about injured or distressed wildlife. Examples include an orphaned calf elk, a deer stuck in a soccer net, and a deer with an arrow sticking out of its neck. Each situation is different, and our response to each animal takes those differences… more
Campfires Prohibited at Horsethief Reservoir
| Anonymous (not verified)
Open fires at Fish and Game’s Horsethief Reservoir and its associated campsites will be prohibited beginning Friday, August 11 until further notice by order of the department. The prohibition aligns with Stage 1 fire restrictions set for implementation on August 11 by the Idaho Department of Lands, the Bureau of Land… more
Enter now in second controlled hunt drawing
| idfg-mdemick
Didn't draw a tag in the first round? It's not too late to apply for the second controlled hunt drawing for over 3,300 unclaimed tags.
The application period for the second drawing for deer, elk, pronghorn and black bear controlled hunt tags runs from August 5 through August 15.
A list of available… more
View Chinook salmon at the Fish and Game MK Nature Center
| idfg-mdemick
Visitors to the Fish and Game MK Nature Center now have the opportunity to see one of Idaho's most amazing animals: Chinook salmon.
Seven Chinook have joined other fish swimming in the Nature Center's stream. Fish managers and hatchery workers delivered the salmon to Boise early last week to give… more
Blacks Creek Range extending hours starting Aug. 10
| Anonymous (not verified)
Black's Creek Public Shooting Range (BCR) is extending its hours of operation to accommodate hunters eager to sight in their firearms for the fall hunting season.
Beginning Thursday, August 10 through the remainder of the month, BCR will be open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, Thursday through Monday. The range is… more
Learn about bear behavior and help prevent unwanted encounters
| idfg-rphillips
There's been several incidents this summer involving black bears, and it's a good opportunity to remind people about these native Idaho animals. Black bears are common, and their native range includes most of the state. Black bears are typically shy, and any encounter with humans is usually brief, … more
Two sockeye returned to Stanley Basin, the first of the 2017 run
| idfg-rphillips
Fisheries technician Eric Johnson processes a returning adult sockeye that was among the early fish that returned to Stanley Basin in 2017. CAPTION: Fisheries technician Eric Johnson processes a returning adult sockeye that was among the early fish that returned to Stanley Basin in 2017.
The… more
What's Up with the Weiser Elk Changes?!
| idfg-rberkley
During the past couple of weeks, IDFG has received a number of calls, comments and inquiries about some of the changes made to the Weiser River elk zone this year. Most callers have asked why a couple of these changes were made; we’ll try to explain that here, as well as our plans going forward.
The three… more
Hunters Need To Be Aware Of Temporary Change In INL Site Access Rules For August 21 Eclipse.
| idfg-glosinski
Hunters Need To Be Aware Of Temporary Change In INL Site Access Rules For August 21 Eclipse.
IDAHO FALLS – There will be no areas open to hunting on the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site on Monday, August… more
2017 second controlled hunt drawing list of available big game tags
| idfg-staff
Note: The application period for this drawing has ended. Any unclaimed/leftover tags will be posted when available.
Over 3300 deer, elk, pronghorn and black bear controlled hunt tags will be available for hunters in the second controlled hunt drawing.
Hunters can… more
Hunters still have chances for big game controlled hunt tags
| idfg-mdemick
Hunters who were unsuccessful in the first drawing for big game controlled hunts in June have more chances with a second controlled hunt drawing and Super Hunts.
Second draw
Over 3,300 deer, elk, pronghorn and black bear controlled hunt tags will be available for hunters in the second controlled hunt… more
Links to fire information
| idfg-mkoenig
Here are some links you might find handy to stay informed on current fire conditions that might affect your travel plans:Idaho Fish Game Fire Information Page
Incident Information Center - Comprehensive fire data for Idaho
Idaho Smoke Information - multi agency blog that… more
Despite a down year for salmon, early signs point to improvement
| idfg-staff
A 46-inch wild male salmon was captured at the weir on the East Fork Salmon River. This fish was released unharmed after the picture and swam upstream to spawn. CAPTION: A 46-inch wild male salmon was captured at the weir on the East Fork Salmon River. This fish was released unharmed after the… more