Press Releases and Articles
Hyde Pond kid’s ice fishing derby set for Feb. 4
| idfg-mdemick
Bundle up the kids, grab the fishing gear and head to Hyde Pond Saturday, Feb. 4 for some ice fishing fun.
The 30th Annual Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby will be held at Hyde Pond from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The free event is for youth ages 16 years and under. There will be big fish prizes for four age categories and… more
Applications for spring black bear controlled hunts open Jan. 15
| idfg-cliess
Hunters looking to apply for 2023 spring's controlled hunts for black bear can apply from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15. Information on the spring 2023 controlled black bear hunt can be found in the 2022 Idaho Big Game Seasons and Rules book.
Hunters must have a 2023 hunting license in order to apply for controlled hunts… more
Southeast Idaho Winter Feeding Advisory Committee to meet Jan. 10
| idfg-jjackson
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023- 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Address: Idaho Fish and Game Southeast Region Office, 1345 Barton Road, Pocatello, ID
Call-in Number: 208-236-1281
Members of the Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee will meet to assist Idaho Fish and Game with the… more
Leash your pets: F&G will increase patrols on Boise River WMA this winter
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game enforcement staff will be conducting increased patrols in the Boise River Wildlife Management Area this winter to ensure compliance with leashed dog requirements and access restrictions, as well as to address littering issues on trails.
“We have a number of issues that continue to come up on… more
Become an Idaho Master Naturalist! Introductory meeting scheduled in Pocatello.
| idfg-jjackson
The High Desert Chapter of the Idaho Master Naturalists is now recruiting new members to be a part of a unique volunteering experience here in southeast Idaho! Those who love the outdoors and learning more about southeast Idaho’s wildlife, habitats, and other natural resources will discover a wide variety of fun and… more
Instructor-led hunter education courses coming up in Southwest Idaho for January through March
| idfg-bpearson
Southwest Idaho currently has 15 instructor-led courses slated to start between January and March, with more to come. Among the upcoming offerings in the Southwest Region are Hunter Education Certification, Hunter… more
Why you should buy your 2023 hunting/fishing license now, not later
| idfg-cliess
A lot of hunters and anglers see the cold, bitter months of January and February as the so-called “off-season.” It’s easy to see why — you step foot outside and instantly need a defroster for your lungs.
But with a little bit of mental preparation, the right gear and (most importantly) an up-to-date hunting and… more
Smallmouth bass state record falls once more
| idfg-mkoenig
It was a typical cold, December day in central Idaho with rain down low and snow in the mountains. While many anglers might have been thinking about ice-fishing, winter steelhead or even putting a fresh coat of wax on their skis and hitting the slopes, Joey Walton had other plans: big smallmouth bass. Knowing he had to… more
Dec. 30 Lake Cascade Ice Fishing Conditions
| idfg-mthomas
On Friday, Dec. 30 I checked surface and ice conditions on Lake Cascade. Warm temperatures and rain over the last week created a lot of slush on the surface of the lake, which has started to refreeze as cold temperatures have returned. Conditions may continue to improve with forecasted cold and clear… more
Dec. 30 Clearwater Region Ice Fishing Update
| idfg-jthiessen
Below you will find conditions, fishing outlooks and general information about the Clearwater Region's ice fisheries. Ice conditions can be extremely variable. Many environmental factors can affect ice quality and strength. It is your responsibility to check ice thickness and conditions when you venture out onto… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for January 2023 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-tthompson
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 900 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in January. All stocking dates and numbers of fish are approximate.
Don’t forget to purchase your 2023 fishing license!
Stocking rainbow trout during the winter months… more
Biologists use electronic tags to study Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Willow Creek and Ririe Reservoir
| idfg-jheckel
Fish and Game fisheries biologists are on a constant search for better ways to understand and manage fish populations. As part of this quest for knowledge, biologists used electronic PIT tags to study the life history of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Willow Creek and Ririe Reservoir.
In the Upper Snake… more
Protect wintering wildlife by leaving them alone during the winter
| idfg-cliess
Out of sight, out of mind, right? Wrong. Just because wildlife aren’t as visible as they were in the shoulder seasons doesn’t mean they’re “living easy” on their wintering grounds. And if you are seeing wintering wildlife, you may be too close for comfort, which bring us to our next point: Protect wintering wildlife by… more
F&G completes bighorn sheep capture in Southwest Idaho
| idfg-bpearson
From Thursday, Dec. 15 through Sunday, Dec. 18, Fish and Game biologists conducted a bighorn sheep capture in Units 40 and 41 in collaboration with the Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation and national Wild Sheep Foundation. Staff and volunteers captured and collared a total of 38 sheep between the two units. Each animal… more
The ‘big fish’ stories of 2022
| idfg-cliess
From a catch-and-release record cutbow in Henrys Lake to a dramatic state-record catfish saga that could have been written by John Grisham, the past year’s record-setting fishing stories was one for the ages. Anglers from both within and outside of Idaho’s borders hoisted up some incredible benchmarks during 2022 and… more
Watch out for wildlife on the move
| idfg-kchristiansen
Old Man Winter seems to have woken up a little early this season, changing some wildlife movement patterns across the region. In the Preston area, elk have been observed traveling throughout the valley with large herds crossing our local highways. This is a potentially dangerous situation, especially for motorists… more
Kootenai River Angler Science Program: A win for burbot and anglers
| idfg-tjross
For some, winter is a time to hibernate in the comfort of a warm home, enjoying a hot drink by a crackling fire. For others, winter offers a unique opportunity to try their hand at landing the native and once rare burbot in the Kootenai River.
Referred to by some as the Kootenai leopard or ling cod,… more
More Harm Than Good: Why You Shouldn't Feed Backyard Deer
| idfg-mdemick
The hardship of winter motivates some well-meaning people to set out food for deer. The truth is, they’re wild animals adapted to winter, and feeding them can quickly create a variety of problems significantly affecting their health and survival.
Despite good intentions, supplemental feeding of deer often harms… more