Press Releases and Articles
It's trout stocking time! Here's what's headed to Panhandle waters this April
| idfg-tjross
If you're looking for a good excuse to enjoy some spring weather while soaking a line, look no further. Over 43,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) rainbow trout will be stocked in the Panhandle Region in April.
Important dates to help plan your April
| idfg-cliess
From tags sales to general season openers, there’s a lot happening in Idaho during April that you should be aware of. Staying in the loop can be the difference between applying for that coveted controlled hunt tag and watching from the sidelines.
Be sure to stay up to date on all Fish and Game happenings.… more
2023 Lake Pend Oreille State of the Lake meeting to be held in-person on April 13
| idfg-tjross
The 2023 annual Lake Pend Oreille State of the Lake meeting will be held in-person on April 13. The meeting will be hosted at the Ponderay Events Center (401 Bonner Way, Ponderay) from 6 to 8:30 p.m. PDT.
April hunter education courses offered in Challis and Leadore
| idfg-mdemick
Aspiring hunters who have not completed a hunter education course, but are interested in applying for a controlled hunt, still have a chance of getting into a course before the controlled hunt application periods end.
April fish stocking schedule for the Upper Snake Region
| idfg-jbrower
March 28: Upper Salmon River Weekly Steelhead Fishing Report
| idfg-mdemick
Weather conditions along the upper Salmon River were cold and windy during the past week, especially over the weekend. However, catch rates downstream of North Fork improved as more steelhead arrived in the area, and it was within this area that we observed the highest amount of angler effort.
Fish and Game traps and euthanizes female lion and pulls remaining traps from Hailey
| idfg-tthompson
After being set for 10 days, Fish and Game officers have pulled the remaining mountain lion traps from a Hailey neighborhood, after capturing and euthanizing two mountain lions to protect public safety. The lions were removed after they had become habituated to living inside Hailey city limits and causing safety… more
Craig Mountain video series: Forest health parts 1-5
| idfg-jbruns
Craig Mountain staff is working hard to conduct forest health operations on Craig Mountain WMA. Watch the short videos below to learn more about all the work that is being done including; timber harvest, mastication, wildlife screen, rehabilitation and recovery. Sit back, relax and enjoy!
Winter feeding update for the Southeast Region (03/24/2023)
| idfg-jjackson
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game with input from the Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee (WFAC) initiated the feeding of deer and elk at several locations in the Southeast Region beginning in early February. Approximately, 30 tons of deer feed is currently being distributed to 23 authorized… more
F&G Commission set big game seasons for 2023-24
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game Commission set 2023-24 Big Game seasons on March 17, and new seasons and rules brochures will be available on Fish and Game’s website in mid April and printed brochures will be available before big game controlled hunt application period opens on May 1.
“We appreciate the public’s… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for April 2023 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-tthompson
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 64,900 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in April. All stocking dates and numbers of fish are approximate.
Don’t forget to purchase your 2023 fishing license!
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on… more
Statewide trout stocking highlights for April 2023
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking roughly 250,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this April. Wondering if the stocking trucks are going to be backing up to your favorite fishing hole? We asked our Fish and Game hatchery staff to boil down some of the most… more
New state record northern pike caught in North Idaho: 40.76 pounds!
| idfg-tjross
On March 21, 2023, Hayden Lake in North Idaho produced a new certified state record northern pike. The record fish weighed a whopping 40.76 pounds, was 49 inches in length and 26.5 inches in girth – a true monster of a fish!
Mule deer doe shot and left to waste in Franklin County
| idfg-jjackson
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking information about a mule deer doe shot and left to waste in Franklin County. On Friday March 17, 2023, while on a fishing patrol along the southern portion of Oneida Narrows Road in Franklin County, Senior Conservation Officer Kolby White came across a dead mule deer doe lying 20… more
Annual F&G fur auction online in 2023, begins April 10
| idfg-mdemick
For the third straight year, Idaho Fish and Game's annual fur auction will be held entirely online beginning April 10.
This year’s auction of furs, hides, antlers, and other items will be run by Wears Auctioneering West. The online auction begins April 10 and ends April 24 at 3 p.m… more
Fish sampling techniques: A look into the world of electrofishing
| idfg-smeyer
Do you ever wonder how biologists are able to catch and sample so many fish? They cheat! Biologists commonly use electrofishing methods to “stun” fish so that they can easily be caught.
How does electrofishing work?An electrofishing unit puts out an electric field into the water so that fish in close… more
Dworshak Reservoir 2023 Fisheries Forecast
| idfg-efelts
Dworshak reservoir will provide excellent fishing opportunities once again in 2023. Kokanee anglers should see improved opportunities from 2022, and Smallmouth Bass anglers could experience some of the better bass fishing this reservoir has ever provided. Higher abundances of Rainbow trout stocking will also continue… more
Despite a weather delay, the Snake River smolt trap is installed and ready to collect juvenile salmon and steelhead
| idfg-sputnam
We attempted to launch the Snake River juvenile salmon and steelhead trout trap during the last week of February. However, March weather arrived early. This year, March came in like a lion. The harsh weather forced us to delay the launch. We needed a day more like a lamb than a lion.
Fortunately, the weather… more