Press Releases and Articles
Black bears are Idaho’s forest bears
| idfg-scassinelli
Most bears we see in Idaho are black bears, and as spring arrives, they will be waking from their winter sleep, leaving their cozy dens to find food. This month’s Wildlife Express covers these surprisingly shy, secretive animals, as well as springtime activities to enjoy outdoors to beat the winter blahs.… more
Idaho Fish and Game cancels events due to COVID-19 virus
| idfg-rphillips
In response to updated guidance from Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for public events, Idaho Fish and Game has canceled several events and limited access to facilities, such as hatcheries. Cancellations are limited to specific events and hunting and fishing seasons are unaffected.
“I am proud of our… more
Winter survival for radio-collared mule deer fawns and elk calves average to slightly above average
| idfg-bpearson
Statewide winter survival of radio-collared mule deer fawns and elk calves was about average to slightly above average through the end of February.
A relatively mild winter in much of the state bolstered survival so far, and early spring weather is arriving in some locations, which means early survival reports… more
Pike removal to continue in sections of Lake Coeur d’Alene
| idfg-ksiitari
This is a joint press release between Idaho Fish & Game and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.
Biologists with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe will resume gill netting efforts beginning March 16 to reduce northern pike numbers in Windy Bay, Benewah, Chatcolet, Round and Hidden Lakes. In… more
Advisory Committee Meeting (Postponed)
| idfg-staff
The regular meeting of the Fish and Game Advisory Committee is now postponed due to abundance of caution from coronavirus response. The new date and location will be determined at a later date.
The original meeting was planned for March 23, 2020 will not take place.
Agenda (Subject… more
Fish and Game releases Pioneer and Smoky-Bennett zones elk harvest and hunter success numbers
| idfg-tthompson
Idaho Fish and Game has released 2019 hunter harvest numbers and success rates for big game management units across the state. Read more at Harvest, hunter numbers down for deer and elk in 2019.
In southern Idaho, interest in both harvest numbers and hunter success has been high from hunters who hunted elk in… more
March 16: Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report
| idfg-bbeller
Steelhead angler effort increased again this past week on the upper Salmon River, and catch rates started to improve in the upstream areas. Angler effort was highest downstream of North Fork in location code 15, but effort near the Pahsimeroi River and Challis, in location codes 17 and 18, increased as well. Effort… more
Control actions in February removed 17 wolves from the Lolo elk zone
| idfg-koelrich
Idaho Fish and Game has concluded wolf control actions done during February that removed 17 wolves in the Lolo elk zone north of Highway 12. Similar control actions have taken place in eight of the last nine years to reduce predation and improve elk survival in this herd that is well below elk management objectives.… more
March 17 Panhandle sportsmen's breakfast canceled
| idfg-ksiitari
The March 17 sportsmen's breakfast has been canceled per the Panhandle Health District's recommendations for mass gatherings and public events during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fish and Game Panhandle staff typically host a sportsmen's breakfast the third Tuesday of each month except June, July, August and October… more
F&G releases rehabbed raptors in Upper Snake
| idfg-jbrower
Through a partnership between Fish and Game and Teton Raptor Center (TRC) several injured raptors were recently rehabilitated and returned to the wild. All of these birds were reported by concerned citizens and taken to TRC to receive the care they needed to make a full recovery. This unique collaboration is one way… more
Draw results available for spring turkey controlled hunts
| idfg-bpearson
The spring turkey controlled hunt drawing results are available through Fish and Game’s licensing system. Hunters who already have an account can check to see if they drew controlled hunt permits for spring turkey at https://idfg.huntfishidaho.net/login.
Those without an online license system account can get… more
F&G Commission drops steelhead size restriction from Clearwater basin and portion of Snake River
| idfg-rphillips
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission removed the size restriction starting March 13 on steelhead fisheries in the Clearwater River basin and Snake River downstream of Couse Creek.
The daily bag limit for steelhead in the Clearwater River, Middle Fork Clearwater River (downstream of Clear Creek), South Fork… more
River Otter trapping season closed in the Salmon Region
| idfg-mdemick
The river otter harvest quota for Idaho’s Salmon Region was reached at 5 p.m. Friday, March 6. The otter trapping season for the entire region closes 72 hours after the harvest quota has been met. As a result, the otter season for the entire region closed at 5 p.m. Monday, March 9.
Any otter trapped in the… more
Niagara Springs Fish Hatchery closed to public access until 2021
| idfg-tthompson
Officials with Fish and Game, Magic Valley Region have announced that the Niagara Spring Hatchery will be closed to public access for the next several months due to construction activities. It is anticipated that the hatchery grounds will re-open to the public in early 2021.
Construction has already begun on a… more
License sales at Boise headquarters now available at MK Nature Center
| idfg-bpearson
Following the completion of a remodeling project, the MK Nature Center Visitor’s Center reopened March 9 for all license and tags sales previously available in the headquarters building.
With the impending demolition of the Idaho Fish and Game’s headquarters office, license sales will be available at the… more
Idaho Fish and Game Commission to meet March 19-20
| idfg-bpearson
The Fish and Game Commission will meet March 19-20, with the public hearing starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19 in the main auditorium at St. Luke's Plaza, 720 E. Park Blvd. in Boise. People can address the Commission about any matters related to Fish and Game at that time.
The meeting will resume in Nampa… more
Spring is prime time for Treasure Valley ponds
| idfg-bpearson
Love fishing but can’t seem to find the time to travel for an extended trip to a favorite lake, reservoir or river? That shouldn’t prevent anglers in the Treasure Valley from picking up their rod and reel and fishing on a weekend, or after work, because there are ample fishing opportunities nearby. … more
March 9: Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report
| idfg-bbeller
Steelhead angler effort increased this past week on the upper Salmon River, but catch rates declined. Over the weekend, the majority of bank anglers were observed downstream of North Fork in location code 15, and boat anglers were spread out between Challis and North Fork.
Snow slides downstream of North Fork… more