Press Releases and Articles
Spring Chinook Fishery Update (5/19/2026)
| idfg-jthiessen
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The lower Clearwater River from Cherrylane Bridge downstream to the Camas Prairie Bridge is closed to Chinook Fishing. The rest of the Clearwater River, and the Middle Fork Clearwater River remain open 4 days a week (Thur-Sun) with a 1 adult daily limit. Please read on to see why these changes were… more
These instructor-led hunter education courses are coming up in Southwest Idaho
| idfg-bpearson
A total of eight instructor-led courses with open seats are slated to start in the next couple months across several program types, including courses for Hunter & Bowhunter Combo Certification and Trapper Certification. There are also some unique Hunting & Shooting Sports Courses being offered, including a… more
Portion of mainstem Clearwater River closed for Chinook salmon fishing; adult bag and possession limits reduced
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game closed Chinook salmon fishing on the lower portion of the mainstem Clearwater river from the Camas Prairie Railroad Bridge to Cherrylane Bridge on Tuesday, May 19. Additionally, adult bag and possession limits on the remaining portion of the mainstem Clearwater River and Middle Fork Clearwater River… more
Upper Salmon River Chinook update - 5/19/2026
| idfg-gschoby
Many of you have been eagerly waiting for an update on the upper Salmon River Chinook run and the potential for fisheries we may be able to offer this summer. Like you, we are anxiously watching dam counts and fish passage at Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River.
Our preseason forecasts for Chinook… more
Hunter shoots charging grizzly bear in defense of life near Cave Falls Road
| idfg-jbrower
On the evening of May 16, a hunter shot and killed a male grizzly bear in defense of life after it charged him and his young son from a short distance away while they were hunting black bears near the Cave Falls Road on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest outside of Ashton.
The hunters were sitting on the… more
Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation honors IDFG biologist Hollie Miyasaki for Outstanding Achievement in Bighorn Sheep Conservation
| idfg-jbrower
The Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation has recognized Idaho Fish and Game wildlife biologist Hollie Miyasaki with its Outstanding Achievement Award for her exceptional leadership and contributions to bighorn sheep conservation in Idaho.
The award, given only when a truly exceptional contribution has been… more
Ain’t No Mountain (Stream) High Enough: A guide to finding the perfect backcountry creekside fishing camp
| idfg-cliess
The dog days of summer are upon us. As the mercury skyrockets and the sun broils us 15 hours a day, few things are more attractive than leaving town and heading into the mountains to dunk a line (and maybe some sweaty feet) into a newfound creek or stream.
For anglers looking to escape the hustle and bustle… more
Catch a tagged fish? Report it and help shape fisheries management in Idaho
| idfg-scassinelli
Whether you are fishing at an urban pond, a wild river, or an alpine lake, that next fish you catch might be tagged, and Idaho Fish and Game needs your help reporting it.
Fisheries biologists attach “t-bar anchor tags” to various fish species throughout the state, and when anglers report tagged fish, biologists… more
Henrys Lake hybrid trout stocking study underway
| idfg-jbrower
Idaho Fish and Game, in partnership with the Henrys Lake Foundation, has launched a new evaluation of stocking strategies aimed at improving the survival of hatchery-raised hybrid trout in Henrys Lake.
Henrys Lake is one of Idaho’s most popular fisheries and relies heavily on annual stocking to maintain strong… more
Riverence Lost River Brood donates over 3,000 super-sized trout for anglers
| idfg-jbrower
Over 3,000 super-sized trout, which average eight pounds, are being stocked across the Salmon and Upper Snake regions.
The extra-large rainbows were used in the production of trout raised at Riverence Hatchery in Mackay, who donated them to Idaho Fish and Game. Referred to as brood stock, these… more
Craig Mountain firewood sale opens May 18
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game will open its annual firewood sale for the harvest of dead and down timber on the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area beginning May 18, 2026. The sale will continue through October 31, 2026, unless temporarily closed due to Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.
Firewood permits are required and may… more
Got a good set of eyes and a green thumb? Become a community scientist and help F&G monitor monarch butterflies this summer
| idfg-cliess
The monarch butterfly is an iconic species. Their migrations span thousands of miles, taking upwards of three generations of monarchs to complete the journey. Currently, however, their populations are in dire straits due to a wide variety of factors, including drought, pesticides, winter habitat loss, and more. … more
Clearwater Region Spring Chinook Update (5/12/2026)
| idfg-jthiessen
What a difference a week makes. Throw the cautious optimism right out the window, because the bottom has really fallen out of this year’s spring Chinook run. Daily counts at Bonneville Dam appear to have peaked and have now dropped significantly (see figure below). This is disappointing news given the run has not lived… more
Hunter Education Day Camp set for June 25, at the Magic Valley Regional Office in Jerome
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
The Magic Valley Regional Office will be hosting a two-day Hunter Education Day Camp June 25-26 in Jerome from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This instructor-led course gives students the opportunity to complete their hunter education certification in a fun, hands-on learning environment.
Anyone planning to hunt in… more
F&G Commission approves $280K to improve over a dozen of Idaho’s shooting ranges
| idfg-cliess
During its most recent Commission meeting on May 7, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved roughly $280,000 to help improve several Idaho shooting ranges.
Thanks in large part to hunter education funds, Fish and Game has historically awarded grants to shooting ranges. This year, Fish and Game awarded grants… more
ICYMI: Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting May 7
| idfg-cliess
Topics covered include 2026-27 migratory bird season setting, fiscal year 2027 shooting range grants, Lake Pend Oreille rainbow trout management, and more.
Fish and Game staff move 34 elk from Big Willow drainage in Southwest Idaho to the Panhandle
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game crews recently captured 37 elk over two days from a nonmigratory herd that has caused significant agricultural damage on private land northwest of Emmett for years, and released 34 of them in the Panhandle Region's Unit 7. All the elk that were moved are cows.
Now available: Controlled hunt drawing results for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat
| idfg-cliess
Hunters who applied for controlled hunts for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat hunts can see if they drew a tag by going to www.GoOutdoorsIdaho.com.
Hunters who were not successful in the draw can expect to receive a refund of the tag fees paid during the application process. Applicants who submitted… more