Press Releases and Articles
F&G Commission approves six-year elk plan to guide future elk hunting
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game Commission recently approved a new six-year elk management plan after staff solicited public review and adapted the draft plan to reflect public input.
The updated elk plan is not a complete overhaul of the former management plan. The department and Commission retained the… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for August 2024 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-tthompson
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 23,575 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in August. All stocking dates and numbers of fish are approximate.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns); dates… more
Sage-grouse and sandhill crane tags go on sale Aug. 1
| idfg-cliess
A total of 5,091 sage-grouse tags and 656 sandhill crane tags will go on sale on a first-come, first-served basis Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. MDT. Tags will be available at Idaho Fish and Game license vendors, and online at gooutdoorsidaho.com, and by phone at 1-800-554-8685.
Sage-grouseThe 5,091 tags will be… more
Returned big game tags offer more hunting opportunity and are on sale Aug. 8
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game will sell primarily returned nonresident, general season big game tags starting at 10 a.m. MDT on Aug. 8. 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
Hundreds of dead fish discovered in American Falls Reservoir
| idfg-jjackson
On the morning of July 26, Idaho Department of Fish and Game fisheries biologists along with staff from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) responded to calls from the public regarding a possible “fish kill” in American Falls Reservoir in Power County.
Fish and Game Fisheries biologists report… more
ICYMI: Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting July 24
| idfg-cliess
Watch the full recap of the July 24 Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting in Pocatello. Topics covered include: the 2024-2030 Elk Management Plan, 2025-2027 Fisheries Seasons, and proposed legislation to allow limited spearfishing of some game fish.
Stage 1 fire restrictions in place on Cecil D. Andrus WMA
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Department of Lands has imposed Stage 1 fire restrictions for all state, federal and private property within the Payette Dispatch Area due to critical fire danger, which includes Fish and Game's Cecil D. Andrus Wildlife Management Area.
The following are prohibited on Cecil D. Andrus WMA until… more
Avoid bear conflicts by storing food and garbage properly
| idfg-mdemick
While it is exciting to see a bear in the wild, it isn’t so wonderful to have one in your campsite or trashing your deck barbeque at midnight.
“With this hot, dry summer, we’re starting to see a pretty significant increase in bear complaints, and most of them are due to improper storage of attractants like… more
Perspective: Trout fishing during low water and high temperatures
| idfg-mkoenig
Summer of 2024 is shaping up to be one of the hottest on record, so we are reposting this article from 2022 because it relevant to what many anglers are experiencing this year. This research was completed several years ago, but the conclusions are still applicable today.
Upper Salmon River Chinook update - 7/25/2024
| idfg-gschoby
July 25, 2024
During the last open period of the Upper Salmon River Chinook fishery (July 18 – July 21), we observed a large decrease in angler effort, but the catch and harvest rates were the best we have seen so far this season. Angler effort was estimated at 625 hours which was approximately a 50 percent… more
Genetics-based modeling estimates Idaho's wolf population was 1,150 in summer 2023
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game researchers have developed a new genetics-based method of estimating the state’s wolf population. The method uses genetic and age information taken from every harvested wolf checked by Fish and Game. Researchers then use that genetic information to understand relatedness among the harvested wolves… more
Attention anglers- Palisades Dam boat ramp and Palisades Creek boat ramp and campground closing for paving project
| idfg-jbrower
Original Story: Palisades Dam boat ramp and Palisades Creek boat ramp and campground are undergoing a pavement project meant to improve access and visitor experience. Palisades Dam site will be closed starting Monday, July 29, until approximately Friday, Aug 9, while that portion is completed and the pavement cures.… 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
Henrys Lake Newsletter – Summer 2024
| idfg-jbrower
Henrys Lake anglers, let’s get you caught up on recent happenings, the latest population survey, and much more! We’ve been busy this season, and there’s a lot to share. First off, a big “thank you” to the Henrys Lake Foundation for inviting me back to speak at their annual fundraising event again this year! As per… more
Southeast Idaho Mule Deer Advisory Committee efforts are underway
| idfg-zlockyer
Southeastern Idaho is rich with wildlife and outdoor opportunities, but mule deer and the opportunity to hunt mule deer perhaps generates more interest and conversation than any other species in this part of the state. Mule deer are synonymous with the sagebrush steppe and mountain shrub/aspen habitats that… more
F&G trapping and trucking sockeye at Lower Granite Dam during heat wave
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game is seeing an above-average sockeye return this summer, and biologists are ensuring fish will be available for spawning by trapping them at Lower Granite Dam near Lewiston and trucking them to the Eagle Hatchery near Boise.
The Upper Salmon River has been unseasonably warm, and… more
F&G working with Forest Service, Idaho Power on Crooked River bull trout restoration project
| idfg-bpearson
A small, isolated population of bull trout in west-central Idaho is in peril due to rapid brook trout expansion, and Fish and Game, Idaho Power Company and the U.S. Forest Service are working together this summer to help prevent this population from blinking out.
The bull trout restoration project will… more
2024 INL hunting passes available at the Idaho Falls office, new online training also required
| idfg-jbrower
Those with elk and pronghorn tags that are eligible to hunt on Idaho National Laboratory (INL) lands can now pick up their 2024 INL Hunting Pass. Hard copies can be picked up at the Upper Snake Regional Office, located at 4279 Commerce Circle, Idaho Falls. Digital copies can be obtained by calling the office at 208-525… more