Press Releases and Articles
2026-27 Idaho Migratory Game Bird seasons and rules booklets are now available online
| idfg-cliess
The 2026-27 Idaho Migratory Game Bird seasons and rules booklets are now available (digitally) online. Printed booklets are expected to arrive at Fish and Game offices and license vendors in early July.
Over 11,000 catchable rainbow trout are headed for lakes in the Panhandle Region in June
| idfg-tjross
Students will soon be released from school, and rainbow trout are being released in waters all over the Panhandle in June! Over 11,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) rainbow trout will be stocked in the Panhandle Region in June.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond… more
Parking area at Fish and Game access site on Crystal Lake near Priest River closed for emergency road repairs
| idfg-tjross
Idaho Fish and Game has temporarily closed the parking area at the Crystal Lake access site, located about two miles east of Priest River along Highway 2, after staff discovered a sinkhole beneath the roadway that poses a hazard to vehicles.
The closure will allow Fish and Game to assess the extent of the damage… more
Clearwater Region Spring Chinook Update 6/2/2026
| idfg-jthiessen
What an ominous and challenging spring Chinook season this has been. Unfortunately, that trend will continue, as the Clearwater, Lower Salmon, and Hells Canyon fisheries are closed to Chinook fishing moving forward (see official closure order HERE).
The Little Salmon River will remain open Saturday and… more
June trout stocking schedule for the Southeast Region
| idfg-jjackson
Grab your fishing pole, pack the cooler, and don’t forget your fishing license! Personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s hatcheries in the Southeast Region will be releasing over 14,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at various locations during June. Don’t forget, June 13 is Free Fishing Day this year and Idaho Fish… more
June 2, 2026 Spring/Summer Chinook Update
| idfg-jmessner
Well folks, this spring Chinook season has been disappointing to say the least. Most of our spring Chinook fisheries will close this week, with the exception of the Little Salmon River.
Read the season closure announcement here: Four Chinook salmon seasons closed or modified starting Wednesday, June 3 |… more
Dust off that old fishing gear for Free Fishing Day and beyond
| idfg-rphillips
Free Fishing Day is June 13, and it’s a great opportunity to be outdoors and get acquainted with Idaho’s great fishing spots. Fishing is an inexpensive sport because you can get all the gear you need for about $50 (or less). But odds are good you have some old fishing gear laying around the house, or someone in your… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for June 2026 in the Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
Fish and Game staff will be stocking nearly 40,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout at the following locations across the Clearwater Region in June!
Digital kiosks provide Idaho Fish and Game information at key recreation sites
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game is partnering with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cottonwood Field Office to provide outdoor recreationists with easier access to hunting, fishing, boating, and wildlife information through a network of new digital kiosks installed at popular recreation sites across north-central Idaho.
… more
Vegetation Restoration Completed at Wendover and Whitehouse Campgrounds; Repairs Ongoing
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service through the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA), has completed vegetation restoration work at the Wendover Campground and Whitehouse Campground along the upper Lochsa River.
The work followed severe windstorms that caused extensive blowdown, hazardous… more
F&G Commission approves 2026 summer Chinook seasons
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission met via conference call and approved the proposed summer Chinook salmon seasons for the South Fork Salmon and Upper Salmon rivers as well as the Lochsa River. The summer season for the South Fork Salmon and Upper Salmon rivers is set to open on June 18, while the Lochsa River will… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for June 2026 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game's Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 30,645 10-12'' catchable-sized rainbow trout in July. The stocking date and number of fish are approximate.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns);… more
Fifty-two years later: remembering fallen Fish and Game Conservation Officer Sam Buntrock
| idfg-KWhite
Former Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officer Sam Buntrock lost his life in a plane crash in Bear Lake County in 1974 while in the line of duty. He was assigned to the Soda Springs patrol area in southeast Idaho until his death. This is his photo from the 1965 Meridian High School yearbook… more
Upper Salmon River Chinook update - 5/28/2026
| idfg-gschoby
Below is the second pre-season update for the upper Salmon River Chinook return and potential fisheries.
Since my last update on May 19th, we’ve only seen one additional Sawtooth PIT tag cross over Bonneville Dam, bringing the current estimate to 1,790 adult Sawtooth Chinook over Bonneville. We should now… more
Spring Chinook Fishery Update (5/27/2026)
| idfg-jthiessen
IMPORTANT NOTICE (Click links to view official closure notice)
Rapid River Fisheries: River Code 10 in the lower Salmon River (Rice Creek to Twin Bridges) is closed.
Clearwater Fisheries: River Code 3 A-B (Camas Prairie Train Bridge to Cherrylane Bridge) remains closed.
Important dates to help plan your June
| idfg-cliess
From controlled hunt deadlines to Free Fishing Day, there’s a lot happening in Idaho during June that you should be aware of. Staying in the loop can be the difference between applying for that coveted controlled hunt tag and watching from the sidelines.
Be sure to stay up to date on all Fish and Game… more
F&G Commission will meet via special conference call on Friday, May 29 at 9 a.m. MDT
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet via a special conference call on Friday, May 29 at 9 a.m. MDT to make a final decision on both the 2026 summer Chinook salmon seasons and waterfowl zone season modifications. People can attend in person at Fish and Game’s Headquarters Office at 600 S. Walnut in Boise or… more
June fish stocking schedule for the Upper Snake Region
| idfg-jbrower