Press Releases and Articles
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
IDFG director issues conservation closure for sturgeon fishing on portion of CJ Strike Reservoir
| idfg-bpearson
To protect sturgeon amid abnormally low dissolved oxygen levels and high water temperatures in a portion of CJ Strike Reservoir, Idaho Fish and Game Director Jim Fredericks on July 31 signed a conservation closure order for sturgeon fishing in the portion of the Snake River arm between Canyon Creek and Rattlesnake… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for August 2026 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 20,580 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in August. The stocking date and numbers of fish are approximate.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns); dates… more
July 28, 2026 South Fork Salmon River Chinook Update
| idfg-jmessner
Well, that's a wrap on another South Fork Salmon River Chinook season.
After opening on June 18, the fishery remained open for 34 days, including six full weekends of fishing. We’re now within 35 fish of our harvest share, and the Director's Office has signed a closure order effective at the end of fishing hours… more
Second big game controlled hunt drawing application period is Aug. 5-15
| idfg-cliess
The application period for Idaho’s second big game controlled hunt drawing runs Aug. 5-15. Any hunter who drew a controlled big game hunt tag has until Aug. 1 to buy it, and those that aren't purchased will be available for a second drawing. To see available big game tags available for the second application period,… more
Statewide trout stocking highlights for August 2026
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 75,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this August. Wondering if the stocking trucks are going to be backing up to your favorite fishing hole? We asked our Fish and Game hatchery staff to boil down some of the most… more
IDFG issues closure order for Chinook salmon fishing on South Fork Salmon River
| idfg-cliess
All Chinook salmon fishing on the South Fork Salmon River will close effective at the end of fishing hours on July 29.
Check out the Chinook Salmon Seasons and Rules page to check the status of all Idaho Chinook salmon fisheries. Seasons can change quickly, so be sure to check the most current reports and… more
The summer of fish records continues with Moore angler’s alpine trophy
| idfg-cliess
Just when you thought the Idaho fish record books didn’t have any blank pages left, one adventurous angler from Moore, Idaho caught (and released) one of Idaho’s most coveted alpine fish back on June 20.
Like many of us during the dog days of summer, angler Wade Jensen grabbed his collapsible fly rod and… more