Press Releases and Articles
2026 Fall Chinook Season Opener: What anglers need to know
| idfg-jthiessen
Idaho’s 2026 fall Chinook Salmon season opens Tuesday, Aug. 18, and anglers heading to the Clearwater, Snake and Salmon rivers should be aware of an important change to the daily bag and possession limits for this year’s fishery.
2026 Fall Chinook Season
Season dates: Aug. 18 through Nov. 1, 2026
… more
Fish salvage order issued for Karolyn’s Pond
| idfg-jthiessen
Idaho Fish and Game has issued a fish salvage order for Karolyn’s Pond near Elk City, effective immediately through Sept. 30, 2026.
During the salvage order at Karolyn’s Pond:
Fish may be taken by any method except the use of firearms, explosives, chemicals or electric current. All bag, possession and size… more
Winners announced for second 2026 Super Hunt drawing
| idfg-cliess
The second wave of Idaho Super Hunt drawing winners has been selected.
Of the 66,843 total entries, 12,627 were for two deer tags, 17,993 were for two elk tags, 4,862 were for two pronghorn tags, 25,091 were for one moose tag, and 6,270 entries were for one Super Hunt Combo, which includes a tag for each… more
Fire and Fall Hunting: What Idaho hunters need to know
| idfg-cliess
As wildfire activity continues across Idaho, hunters preparing for upcoming seasons should be aware of potential impacts to their hunting areas and know what options are available if a fire affects their hunt.
Idaho Fish and Game is monitoring wildfire activity. The department may temporarily close Fish and Game… more
F&G seeks information regarding cow elk shot and wasted in Unit 11A
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers are seeking information about a cow elk that was shot and left to waste on private property in Clearwater County, unit 11A.
Officers located the shot elk in a farm field located off Albers Road and Russell Ridge Road. No meat was taken from the elk, and officers… more
Twin Bridges Boat Ramp on the Salmon River to Close Monday, August 17
| idfg-jbruns
Twin Bridges boat ramp on the Salmon River will be closed from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 17, while crews pull the screw trap from the river.
The work will require the ramp area to be occupied and unavailable for public use during that time. Boaters are asked to plan ahead and use an alternate… more
What the Big Grass and Tartar fires mean for hunting in Southwest Idaho
| idfg-bpearson
Two large wildfires have burned through some of Southwest Idaho's most popular hunting units this summer, and with some early seasons opening Saturday, Aug. 15, hunters have questions. Here’s what the Big Grass and Tartar fires currently mean for hunting seasons, access, and wildlife in the region, how Idaho Fish and… more
IDFG receives $1.65M grant to increase hunting/angling public access
| idfg-cliess
Thanks in part to a $1.65 million federal grant recently awarded to Idaho Fish and Game, hunters and anglers can look forward to more public access on private land through the Access Yes! program.
The grant will help support and expand Access Yes! — a program which improves hunting and fishing by compensating… more
Fish salvage order issued for Winder Reservoir in Franklin County
| idfg-jjackson
Idaho Fish and Game has issued a salvage order for Winder Reservoir in Franklin County, effective Aug. 14 through Oct. 31, 2026.
During the salvage order timeline at Winder Reservoir:
Fish may be taken by any method except use of firearms, explosives, chemicals, or electric current.All bag… more
Parking area at Crystal Lake Fish and Game access site reopens for public use
| idfg-tjross
After a temporary emergency closure in June, Idaho Fish and Game has reopened the parking area at the Crystal Lake access site, located about two miles east of Priest River along Highway 2.
The closure was necessary after a sinkhole was discovered beneath the roadway that posed a hazard to vehicles. While… more
Fish salvage order issued for Oakley Reservoir
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Idaho Fish and Game is issuing a salvage order for Oakley Reservoir effective Aug. 13 through Nov. 1, 2026.
Oakley Canal Company will be draining water from Lower Goose Creek Reservoir (aka Oakley Reservoir) to meet irrigation demands after a below-normal snowpack and delivery of the reservoir's entire… more
Here are 6 tips for keeping Idaho’s access sites running smoothly
| idfg-rphillips
With people hitting the water to escape the last few weeks of summer, Idaho Fish and Game wants you to use and enjoy its 400 access sites throughout the state.
These sites are popular — especially during peak times — because Idahoans love fishing and boating. People should follow these simple guidelines to… more
IDFG seeks hunter input on potential hunt options before 2027 season setting
| idfg-scassinelli
This winter, Idaho Fish and Game will begin the process of proposing changes for the 2027 and 2028 hunting seasons. IDFG is already aware of the need to increase harvest in some areas due to growing wildlife populations that exceed management objectives and can provide more hunting opportunity. In these areas, the… more
Hunters: As hunting season draws near, now is the perfect time to dial in your bow or firearm
| idfg-cliess
Hunting season will be here before we know it. If you haven’t already, here’s why now is the perfect time to dust off that firearm or bow in preparation for the 2026 season.
Range grant application period is open; deadline is Nov. 2
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game enhances recreational shooting ranges through its Shooting Range Development Grant program to assist organizations or agencies to establish, upgrade, expand, or otherwise improve public firearms and archery ranges in Idaho.
"This is a great opportunity for public… more
Sign up now for hunter and bowhunter education courses in Salmon
| idfg-tschrempp
Senior Conservation Officer, Meghan Roos awarded International Wildlife Crimestoppers Guidefitter Game Warden of the Year
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Senior Conservation Officer Meghan Roos, serving Idaho Fish and Game's Magic Valley Region, was awarded the 2026 International Wildlife Crimestoppers (IWC) Guidefitter Game Warden of the Year Award at the IWC Conference in Bar Harbor, Maine.
This award recognizes an active conservation law enforcement… more
Returned big game tags offer more hunting opportunity and are on sale Aug. 6
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game will sell primarily returned nonresident, general season big game tags starting at 10 a.m. MDT on Aug. 6. Tags can be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis online at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com, at Fish and Game offices during normal business hours, at license vendor locations, or by calling (800)… more