Press Releases and Articles
South Fork Salmon Update: July 8, 2025
| idfg-jmessner
Hi everyone,
The South Fork Salmon River Chinook Salmon fishery has officially closed for the season. As such, this will be my final update for the year. Read on for a recap of the final week and a few closing thoughts on the 2025 season.
South Fork Recap
The final interval of the season (June 30… more
Recent grizzly bear sightings are a reminder that North Idaho is bear country
| idfg-tjross
As summer unfolds and wild berries begin to ripen across the landscape, bears are on the move—and recent sightings in the Panhandle are a good reminder that humans share this landscape with wildlife. It’s time to secure attractants and be proactive in living responsibly in bear country.
Black bears and grizzly… more
Nampa Fish Hatchery is closed to the public as Phase 2 of major construction project ramps up
| idfg-bpearson
Effective immediately, the Nampa Fish Hatchery is closed to visitors as construction crews begin Phase 2 of the ongoing rebuild of the facility.
Work during Phase 2 will consist of ripping out existing hatchery raceways and rebuilding new ones with updated technology and infrastructure improvements. The… more
Announcing Idaho Fish and Game’s newest podcast series ‘Shootin’ the Bull’
| idfg-cliess
Back in March 2024, Idaho Fish and Game debuted its first ever podcast — the Hook and Bulletin —and if you’ve been enjoying our weekly podcast series, then we have some good news for you. Premiering Wednesday, July 9, Fish and Game will roll out its second podcast featuring in-depth, long-form discussions with the men… more
Heads up, elk hunters: Magic Valley sees new season changes and tag opportunity for 2025
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Fall may still be weeks away, but Idaho elk hunters are already gearing up. Before you finalize your hunting plans or jump into the capped tag sales, Idaho Fish and Game reminds hunters of some important changes coming into the 2025 elk season in the Magic Valley Region.
Unit 53 Moves to the Big Desert… more
Upper Salmon River Chinook Fishery update - 7/3/2025
| idfg-gschoby
Hi everyone,
During the second week of the Upper Salmon River Chinook Salmon fishery (6/24 to 6/29/25) we estimated that anglers harvested 163 hatchery adult salmon and 31 hatchery jack salmon. Anglers also released an estimated 11 hatchery adult salmon, 8 hatchery jack salmon, and 23 unclipped adult salmon.… more
Grizzly trapped and relocated on Caribou-Targhee National Forest
| idfg-jbrower
Wildlife Services began trapping near Coyote Meadows, in an area that has experienced confirmed cattle depredation from grizzly bears over the past week. On the night of July 1, a young grizzly bear was captured while visiting the kill site. Given the bear's smaller track size when compared with tracks previously found… more
Does boat electrofishing harm aquatic insects?
| idfg-staff
In an effort to reduce the population of non-native rainbow trout and benefit native Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the South Fork Snake River, Idaho Fish and Game has used boat electrofishing — a fish sampling technique that temporally stuns fish by applying electrical current to the waterway. This technique is used… more
July trout stocking schedule for the Southeast Region
| idfg-jjackson
Grab your fishing pole, pack the cooler, and don’t forget your fishing license (or the bug spray)! Personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s hatcheries in the Southeast Region will be releasing nearly 10,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at various locations during July. Fish on!
F&G issues closure order for adult Chinook salmon harvest on South Fork Salmon River
| idfg-cliess
Effective at the end of fishing hours on July 2, harvest is closed for adult Chinook salmon on the South Fork Salmon River. The fishery will remain open from July 3-6 for jack-only harvest. All Chinook salmon fishing on the South Fork Salmon River will close at the end of fishing hours on July 6.
Check out… more
South Fork Salmon Update: June 30, 2025
| idfg-jmessner
Hi everyone.
The South Fork Salmon River fished really well over the past week and we are really close to achieving our harvest share. As such, the Directors Office has signed a closure order for adult harvest at the end of fishing on Wednesday. However, the fishery will remain open to harvest for jacks-… more
July fish stocking schedule for the Upper Snake Region
| idfg-jbrower
Five Lakes Butte Native Fish Protection Project
| idfg-jthiessen
The North Fork Clearwater River is a stronghold for cutthroat trout and bull trout due to its pristine habitat and cold, clean water. The high abundances of these beautiful, native fishes attract anglers from across the nation. However, there is a threat that many are not aware of that could jeopardize this amazing… more
F&G’s Turkey Tracker is back. Here’s how to report turkey sightings
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game’s hugely successful project — dubbed Turkey Tracker — launched last summer and by the time the year was out had racked up over 1,400 turkey sightings across Idaho. Now, as we head into July and August, tracking turkeys is more important than ever. That’s where you come in.
Turkey… more
Top ‘patriotic’ places to go fishing this 4th of July
| idfg-cliess
Ahh, yes. July 4th. The Fourth of July. Independence Day. Fireworks and Freedom Day. No matter what you call it, the fourth day in the month of July marks the peak of summer when grills are sizzling, cul-de-sacs are buzzing, and parents everywhere are already feeling the extraordinary force of back-to-school week… more
No fishing rod? No problem. F&G and Idaho Parks & Rec have your back
| idfg-cliess
There’s no greater sinking feeling than pulling up to the campsite and realizing you forgot the fishing poles.
That’s why Idaho Fish and Game has teamed up with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation to provide loaner rods at several state parks.
The State Park Fishing Equipment Loaner Program aims… more
July trout stocking schedule for the Salmon Region
| idfg-mdemick
Anglers will have approximately 37,120 freshly stocked trout to catch at area fishing holes in July.
Idaho Fish and Game will stock 10 to 12-inch rainbow trout at the following locations:
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for July 2025 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game's Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 34,200 10-12'' catchable-sized rainbow trout in July. The stocking date and number of fish are approximate.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns);… more