Press Releases and Articles
Idaho's mountain lakes are summer destinations and great fishing adventures
| idfg-rphillips
If you’re an adventurous angler, or just willing to go beyond the beaten path to Idaho’s most famous fishing destinations, you can find a scenic and rewarding experience at mountain lakes.
Idaho has thousands of lakes, probably more than you could explore in a lifetime of summers, and Idaho Fish and… more
Spring Chinook Salmon Fishing Update 6/24/2025: Rapid River Run, Hells Canyon, and Clearwater River Fisheries
| idfg-jdupont
Hi everybody.
This will be my last weekly spring Chinook Salmon update (June 24, 2025) for the season. With the Little Salmon River closing today, we expect minimal effort and harvest in the areas that remain open. For that reason, those areas currently open will likely remain open until the end of… more
New dock installed at Johnson Pond to enhance angler access
| idfg-mdemick
Salmon, Idaho – June 24, 2025 – The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is pleased to announce the installation of a new fishing dock at the Johnson Pond access site.
It's fawning season for town deer, too – F&G asks McCall residents to take extra precautions in certain areas
| idfg-bpearson
Every year, in mid-June or early July, Fish and Game staff in the McCall office start to receive reports of aggressive deer. Right on time, Fish and Game received their first report up Warren Wagon Road last week. Now, staff are reminding area residents to give deer space and keep dogs on leashes to… more
You landed a lunker—now what? Here’s how to submit your big catch into the record books
| idfg-cliess
Take the common phrase for optimism, “plenty of fish in the seas,” apply it to lakes, reservoirs, streams, and creeks and—lo and behold—you get Idaho. There are indeed plenty of fish swimming around Idaho and hot on their tailfins, a contingent of die-hard anglers…especially this time of year.
Some of those… more
Sage-grouse hunting season proposals available for public comment through July 6
| idfg-cliess
Fish and Game is seeking comments on the 2025-2026 sage-grouse harvest seasons and tag proposals. Staff are proposing an increase in sage-grouse tags offered for the 2025 hunting season. Statewide, total tags numbers slightly increased over 2024.
Proposed dates include:
Sage-grouse General Season all zones… more
Lemhi Hole Access Site moving to day-use only July 1
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Fish and Game's Lemhi Hole Access Site's status will change to day-use only beginning July 1. Overnight camping will no longer be allowed.
New spearfishing rules take effect July 1 in select waters for some game fish
| idfg-rphillips
In the past, spearfishing was only legal for harvesting unprotected nongame fish. Starting July 1, spearfishing will be authorized by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission as a legal method for harvesting specific game fish that are inconsistent with current fisheries management plans for those waters.
… more
F&G biologists, field technicians travel deep into the mountains to study salmon populations
| idfg-lreinhardt
To get there, you have to turn off the pavement and go up a little gravel road. No, I mean way up, past where the gravel turns to dirt, past where the road signs and the mailboxes stop. To get to where the fish are, you have to go OUT.
Every summer the Idaho Department of Fish and Game biologist and field… more
Spring Chinook Salmon Fishery Update: Rapid River Run, Hells Canyon, and Clearwater River Return Fisheries - 06/17/2025
| idfg-dwhitney
by Don Whitney
Hi folks,
The Clearwater Region’s spring Chinook Salmon fisheries update is comparatively brief this week. A few changes occurred since last week’s update. The Clearwater River from Cherrylane Bridge upstream to Orofino Bridge and the North Fork Clearwater River are now closed for spring… more
Little Salmon / South Fork Salmon Update - June 17, 2025
| idfg-jmessner
Hi everyone.
Fishing for Chinook Salmon will continue on the Little Salmon River this weekend (Thursday through Sunday), and the South Fork Salmon River fishery opens this Thursday, June 19. If you haven’t been out yet, now is the time! Read on below for more detailed information about these fisheries.… more
Idaho Fish and Game, Magic Valley Region to host 3rd annual blood drive in August
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Have you ever wondered how one simple act could save someone's life?
Donating blood is simple, fast, and convenient. The process can take as little as 45 minutes but can make a lifelong difference for someone else.
Idaho Fish and Game staff are proud to live and work in many communities… more
Reopening of Caldwell Gravel Ponds delayed as improvement project continues
| idfg-bpearson
About five years ago, Fish and Game contracted with a gravel mining operation to enlarge and deepen the Caldwell Gravel Ponds. The operation combined what was once two separate ponds into one large and deep pond. Managers had hoped that the pond would be reopened sometime in 2025; however, several issues have come up… more
2025 South Fork Salmon Fishery Starts June 19
| idfg-jmessner
Happy Friday Everyone!
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission met this morning via conference call to set seasons for Chinook Salmon fisheries on the Upper Salmon River, the Lochsa River, and the South Fork Salmon River. They also increased the season limit from 10 adults to 20 adults, based on an increase in the… more
F&G Commission approves 2025 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 19, while the Lochsa River will… more
Upper Salmon River Chinook update - 6/12/2025
| idfg-gschoby
Just a quick follow up to my update from Monday (6/9)…
We’ve only observed one additional Sawtooth adult Chinook salmon PIT tag since that update, so our harvest share is still hovering around 400 fish.
The IDFG Commission will meet tomorrow (Friday 6/13) to review and discuss the summer Chinook… more
Commissioner Dave Bobbitt of Coeur d'Alene takes over as F&G Commissioner Chair
| idfg-rphillips
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission in May elected Dave Bobbitt of Coeur d’Alene as its new chairman, and he will serve in that role for one year.
Bobbitt recently shared some of his experience as a commissioner and insights on his future as chair of the commission.
“I’m devoted to sportsmen… more
Now available: Controlled hunt drawing results for deer, elk, pronghorn, fall bear, turkey, and swan
| idfg-cliess
Results of the deer, elk, pronghorn, fall black bear, fall turkey, and swan controlled hunt drawings are now available. Fish and Game will NOT be sending any postcards this year, so hunters are encouraged to review their email to verify their results or log into their online account at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com. For more… more