Press Releases and Articles
Upcoming Clearwater Region hunter education classes
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game have openings in several hunter education classes in the Clearwater Region for interested students.
Lewiston (https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/233964):
Sept. 15-18, 4-7 p.m. each day. This is a pre-study class, so students are expected to read the workbook and answer the… more
What hunters need to know about CWD requirements for 2025
| idfg-rphillips
Hunters in 2025 will have mandatory testing for chronic wasting disease for deer in seven hunting units, including the addition of Unit 63A north of Idaho Falls, which was added after a domestic elk tested positive on a private game operation.
Fish and Game’s management of CWD requires wildlife… more
2025 Deer/Elk Hunting Outlook
| idfg-cliess
OverviewFor any of you headline skimmers out there, the takeaway of this year’s deer and elk hunting outlook is one of optimism; statewide, deer and elk hunting in Idaho looks positive heading into the 2025 big game season.
Now, the nitty gritty, beginning with elk. By now, you’ve learned that mild… more
Edson Fichter Nature Talks returning to Pocatello in September
| idfg-jjackson
The popular Edson Fichter Nature Talks series is returning to Pocatello for its fifth year this September! Take this opportunity to learn more about wildlife, habitats, and human history connected to this area through this free lecture series co-sponsored by Friends of Edson Fichter Nature Area and the Idaho… more
Mackay State Fish Hatchery celebrates 100 years of stocking Idaho waters
| idfg-jbrower
MACKAY, Idaho – This year marks a century of fish production at the Mackay State Fish Hatchery, a facility that has been a cornerstone of Idaho’s sport fish program since 1925. Nestled beneath Idaho’s tallest peaks, Mackay produces and stocks more fish species than any other hatchery in the state—continuing a legacy… more
Second controlled hunt draw results now online
| idfg-cliess
Results of the second controlled hunt drawing for elk, deer, pronghorn, and black bear have been posted through Fish and Game’s licensing system.
Log in to your account at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com to see if you drew a controlled hunt tag.
Applicants who provided an email address will receive an… more
Confirmed EHD case in white-tailed deer southeast of Lewiston
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game has confirmed a case of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in a white-tailed deer in Game Management Unit 11, southeast of Lewiston. Two more animals are suspected of dying of EHD at the same location. This is the first confirmed case of the season in the Clearwater Region. Additional reports of… more
Fish & Game Commission implements mandatory CWD sampling for deer harvested in 63A
| idfg-jbrower
During their July meeting, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved the addition of Game Management Unit (GMU) 63A to the list of mandatory Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sampling areas for deer. The goal of this action is to collect additional samples to better understand potential disease prevalence and… more
Trail cameras could be the newest tool for estimating Idaho's black bear populations
| idfg-epapenberg
This summer, Idaho Fish and Game biologists are testing whether trail cameras can help estimate the number of black bears in one of the state’s most popular bear hunting areas, Unit 32A.
The pilot project is designed to determine if remote cameras can produce a reliable population estimate for the 60-mile-… more
Winners announced for second 2025 Super Hunt drawing
| idfg-cliess
The second wave of Idaho Super Hunt drawing winners has been selected.
Of the 49,125 total entries, 15,541 were for two deer tags, 10,984 were for two elk tags, 3,060 were for two pronghorn tags, 9,543 were for one moose tag, and 3,266 entries were for one Super Hunt Combo, which includes a tag for each of the… more
Low-level helicopter flights to occur in the Magic Valley Region in September
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Those looking to recreate in the South Hills, Soldier, and Smoky Mountains in September may see a low-flying helicopter spraying pre-emergent herbicide on the hillsides in game management units 44, 48, and 54 to control the spread of invasive annual grasses, such a cheatgrass.
One of the most effective… more
Fish salvage order issued for Deep Creek Reservoir in Oneida County
| idfg-jjackson
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has issued a salvage order for Deep Creek Reservoir in Oneida County, effective Aug. 15 through Sep. 19, 2025.
During the salvage order timeline at Deep Creek Reservoir:
Fish may be taken by any method except use of firearms, explosives, chemicals, electric current, or… more
Southwest Region rainbow trout stocking schedule - August
| idfg-bpearson
Fish and Game staff will be stocking more than 21,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout throughout the Southwest Region in August, including 2,000 tiger trout at Granite Lake north of McCall.
All other fish stocked are rainbow trout. Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/… more
August 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 6500 catchable-sized rainbow trout at various locations during August. Fish on!
Hunters, anglers, campers and other recreationists: know current fire restrictions
| idfg-rphillips
Wildfires can threaten public safety, property and productive wildlife habitat, so it’s in everyone’s best interest to prevent them from starting. Carelessness with fire, unfortunately, is the cause of many wildfires, so people need be extra cautious during late summer and early fall.
Wildfire season… more
Emergency fire restrictions in effect on all Fish and Game-managed lands and access sites in eastern and southeastern Idaho
| idfg-jjackson
Because of the current fire risk condition in southeastern and eastern Idaho, Stage 1 fire restrictions are now in effect on all Idaho Department of Fish and Game managed lands and access sites across the Southeast and Upper Snake Regions.
Specifically, this restriction applies to all wildlife management… more
Idaho Fish and Game to host 3rd annual blood drive at the Magic Valley Regional Office in Jerome
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Have you ever wondered how one simple act could save someone's life?
Donating blood is quick, easy, and incredibly impactful. The entire process takes as little as 45 minutes, but the outcome can last a lifetime to someone in need.
Idaho Fish and Game staff are proud to live and work in the… more
Summer steelhead returns way above average, surprising both anglers and biologists
| idfg-cliess
Fish and wildlife populations are always surprising us — sometimes in bad ways and sometimes in good ways. This year’s steelhead return is guilty of the latter, and the recent spike in returns is worth celebrating.
Before the run had even started, a contingent of Idaho Fish and Game anadromous fisheries managers… more