Press Releases and Articles
Returned big game tags offer more hunting opportunity and are on sale Aug. 7
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game will sell primarily returned nonresident, general season big game tags starting at 10 a.m. MDT on Aug. 7. Tags can be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis at Fish and Game offices during normal business hours, at license vendors, online at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com, or by calling (800) 554-8685… more
Important dates to help plan your August
| idfg-cliess
From tags sales to season openers, there’s a lot happening in Idaho during August 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 happenings. Here… more
Nonresident hunters can apply for 2026 deer/elk tags in December; here are the details
| idfg-rphillips
Fish and Game recently announced details on new nonresident drawing for deer and elk tags for 2026. The drawing replaces the traditional first-come, first-served sale that occurred online and at license and tag vendors.
Another change is nonresident hunters will have to buy a 2026 nonresident hunting… 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
Brook trout removal planned for Binarch Creek in North Idaho to aid native trout
| idfg-tjross
Idaho Fish and Game will begin a native fish restoration project in Binarch Creek, a tributary to the Priest River, in Sept. 2025. Fisheries staff in the Panhandle Region will use rotenone to remove nonnative brook trout, with the goal of benefitting westslope cutthroat trout populations.
Idaho Fish and Game relocates two yearling moose from Blackfoot
| idfg-jjackson
On the morning of July 23, Idaho Department of Fish and Game personnel were contacted by City of Blackfoot Police Department regarding two yearling moose near a business center in Blackfoot. Idaho Fish and Game with the assistance of City of Blackfoot police officers and animal control personnel were able… more
Aug. 1 deadline to buy controlled hunt tags is fast approaching
| idfg-cliess
The deadline to purchase controlled hunt tags is Aug. 1 at 11:59 p.m. MDT.
It is the applicant's responsibility to see if they drew a controlled hunt tag and to buy it by this deadline. All controlled hunt tags (except unlimited and January hunts) that are not purchased by the Aug. 1 deadline will be… more
Sage-grouse and sandhill crane tags go on sale Aug. 1
| idfg-cliess
Sage-grouseSage-grouse tags will be available on Aug. 1. A total of 5,030 tags will be offered in 12 hunting zones across parts of southern Idaho. The sage-grouse general season runs Sept. 20 through Oct. 31, 2025 and the falconry season runs Aug. 15, 2025 through Mar. 15, 2026. Hunters can buy up to two tags and may… more
Upcoming Trapper and Wolf Trapper Education classes in the Panhandle Region
| idfg-tjross
Idaho Fish and Game’s Panhandle Region is offering several Trapper and Wolf Trapper Education classes this year. These classes are required for anyone new to trapping and are an excellent way to gain hands-on skills and knowledge before the fall and winter seasons.
INL Hunting Passes now available with expanded huntable area and new rules in place
| idfg-jbrower
The 2025 Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Hunting Pass is now available at Fish and Game Offices. This pass is required for individuals with elk or pronghorn tags that are eligible to access the approved INL huntable area boundary included in Hunt Units 63, 58, and 51. The hunting pass includes a new map of the huntable… more
Kellogg man convicted of felony for illegally killing and wasting a trophy bull moose in Kootenai County
| idfg-tjross
Thanks to a tip submitted through the Citizens Against Poaching hotline, a Kellogg man has been convicted of a felony for the unlawful killing, possession and wasting of a bull moose near Wolf Lodge Saddle in Kootenai County.
ICYMI: Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting July 17
| idfg-cliess
Watch the full recap of the July 17, 2025 Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting in Coeur d'Alene.
Topics covered include: 2025-2030 mountain goat management plan, 2025-2026 sage-grouse seasons, duck hunter survey and zone changes, and more.
Rexburg man convicted for wildlife violations
| idfg-jbrower
Conservation Officers began their investigation into Archibald in December of 2023, after receiving information from a member of the community through the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline. Officers quickly responded to the call, discovering a trophy-class mule deer buck that was illegally shot, hidden, and left.… more
Want a summer adventure? Try the Trout Challenge!
| idfg-bbowersox
There are few better ways to enjoy summer than hitting the road for a summer fishing trip whether close to home or venturing to new uncharted waters. A highlight of those trips is often the chance to take in some beautiful country and have a chance to catch an equally beautiful native trout! If this sounds like your… more
Upper Salmon River closed to Chinook fishing on July 20
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game closed the Upper Salmon River from the posted boundary just upstream of the mouth of the Yankee Fork upstream to the posted boundary just downstream of the Sawtooth Hatchery weir at the end of fishing hours on July 20.
To learn more about Chinook salmon fishing and what areas are open… more
Upper Salmon River Chinook Fishery update: 7/15/25
| idfg-gschoby
Hi everyone,
The most common question I get at this point of the season is, “how much longer are we going to be able to fish?” Well, I can say that we’ll at least be able to continue fishing through this upcoming weekend, and as always, we’ll look at the numbers and see if we’re able to remain open after that.… more
Payette Lake produces new state record lake trout
| idfg-mkoenig
Aaron Goettsche Breaks Catch-and-Release RecordAaron Goettsche is no stranger to monster lake trout. An avid angler, fishing rod maker, and longtime veteran on Utah’s/Wyoming's famous Flaming Gorge Reservoir — a world-renowned fishery known for producing lake trout over 30 pounds and occasional giants up to 60 — Aaron… more
Dock upgrade begins at C.J. Strike-Narrows; public access closed until Aug. 1
| idfg-bpearson
The following is a news release from Idaho Power
BRUNEAU, Idaho – Idaho Power’s recreation access point in the section of C.J. Strike Reservoir known as The Narrows, is closed until Aug. 1 while the company upgrades the docks there.
Contractors began work July 10 to replace stationary piers with floating… more