Press Releases and Articles
Land managers lifting fire restrictions Sept. 15
| idfg-rphillips
With the reduced risk of wildfires due to cooler temperatures and precipitation in the area, state and federal wildfire officials will lift Stage 1 Fire Restrictions within the West Central Idaho Mountains effective Thursday, Sept. 15, at 11:59 p.m.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will be lifted on forest and… more
Camping Limits on Fish and Game Property
| idfg-jbruns
With the busy fall hunting and fishing seasons upon us, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game would like to remind the recreating public of camping restrictions on Fish and Game lands such as the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area and at fishing access sites along the Clearwater and Salmon rivers.
The… more
Fish and Game develops a new way to control fish populations
| idfg-rphillips
Hatcheries have long been used to replenish and restore fish populations, but can they also be used to reduce or eradicate them? Idaho Fish and Game researchers are studying whether using traditional hatchery technology in a nontraditional way can eliminate unwanted fish populations in the wild.
Fish… more
Get some shooting practice before rifle season
| idfg-rphillips
I recently replaced the scope on my deer rifle and went to the range to sight it in and practice before hunting season. It seems like I am constantly tinkering with different guns and scopes, so this trip to the range was pretty routine. But it took a couple wrong turns and reminded me to focus on the basics… more
Steelhead and Fall Chinook Weekend Report (9/12/16)
| idfg-vosborn
The Fall Chinook fishery was very slow this past week on the Clearwater. We did not document any harvest and only had one reported release of a wild fish. The Confluence (creel section 1) only documented 4 adult hatchery Chinook and 3 Hatchery Jacks harvested. The attached picture is two of those adults… more
Stopping poachers is just a phone call away
| idfg-mdemick
With many hunting seasons about to begin, the Idaho Fish and Game reminds people who spend time outdoors that they should reach for a phone whenever they witness a violation of fish and game laws.
Callers to the Citizens Against Poaching hotline, 1-800-632-5999, can report wildlife law violations anonymously,… more
Chukar, quail, partridge and sage grouse seasons open Saturday
| idfg-mdemick
Upland bird hunting seasons start in a big way across much of Idaho with Saturday, September 17 marking the opening day for chukar, quail, gray partridge and sage grouse.
Hunters can expect to find above average to average numbers of birds in most of the state. A season forecast with… more
Check Station Reminders
| idfg-rberkley
Hunting seasons are here, and soon hunters will see Fish and Game check stations throughout the state. Remember that all hunters must stop at Fish and Game check stations, regardless of whether they’ve harvested game.
Check stations are a great way for Fish and Game staff to… more
Conserving Snake River Sturgeon: Wild brood stock (Part 2 of 7)
| idfg-mkoenig
Photo: An adult White Sturgeon comes up from the depths of the Snake River during a population survey.
If you missed the Introduction (Part 1), you can read it here!
The middle Snake River has been changed by dams and water diversion so that river flows and habitat no… more
Controlled fires in the Clearwater could boost elk herds
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game is fired up about increasing elk populations in its Lolo Elk Zone in the headwaters of the Clearwater River. Through a cooperative effort with Forest Service and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the two agencies and RMEF are proposing controlled forest fires known as “prescribed-fire treatments”… more
Biologists investigate fish kill on South Fork of the Snake River
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game recently received reports of sick and dead whitefish on the South Fork of the Snake River, and biologists surveyed the river to gauge the extent of the kill, and which fish are involved.
Biologists suspect it’s an outbreak of proliferative kidney disease, or PKD, which is the same pathogen… more
Telephone option for license and tag purchases now available
| idfg-mdemick
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game announced Thursday that license and tag buyers can again make purchases via the telephone starting immediately.
Idaho hunting and fishing licenses and tags can be purchased by calling 1-800-554-8685.
Buyers who use the telephone option should note that it takes 7… more
Idaho’s largest fish gets a boost from biologists
| idfg-mdemick
In Idaho, there lives a toothless giant from the days of the dinosaurs that can live to be 100 years old and is characterized by its vacuum-like mouth, sensitive whiskers, small beady eyes and armor-like scales.
The White sturgeon can reach 15 feet long and weigh more than 1,100 pounds. There… more
Youth Steelhead Clinic Scheduled in Lewiston
| idfg-jbruns
Young anglers ages 8-14 are invited to participate in the annual Steelhead Clinic held on Thursday, October 27th from 6:00-8:00pm and Saturday, October 29th from 8:00am -3:00pm. Both events will be held at the Idaho Fish and Game regional office on 16th street in Lewiston.
Life history of a steelhead, fishing… more
Youth Pheasant Clinic Schedule for October 1st in Genesee
| idfg-jbruns
Young hunters have a chance to hunt ring-necked pheasants at a youth pheasant clinic scheduled Saturday, October 1st from 8:30am-4:00pm in Genesee.
First-time hunters 10 through 15 years of age who have already completed a hunter education course and hold a valid 2016 Idaho hunting license are eligible to… more
Conserving Snake River sturgeon: Introduction (part 1 of 7)
| idfg-mkoenig
Photo: Historical photo of Snake River White Sturgeon harvested, circa 1900.
Sturgeon are famous around the world and for good reason. Besides providing caviar, they are also the largest fish in freshwater. There are 8 species living in North America, but only White Sturgeon are found in Idaho.… moreCooler Idaho weather helping fire efforts
| idfg-staff
Cooler weather along with fire fighter's efforts have helped with the handful of fires in Idaho over the labor day weekend.
Always check-in with the forest or management agency for the destinations you're heading to. Additional online resources include:
Inciweb is the official large fire site for the… more
Youth Waterfowl Hunt September 24
| idfg-lwolf
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) has a mentored waterfowl hunting opportunity for youth aged 10-15. The hunt is planned for September 24th, the opening day of the annual youth-only waterfowl season.
The youth season is a special opportunity open only to hunters… more