Press Releases and Articles
F&G Commission modifies spring Chinook salmon seasons on Clearwater River drainage
| idfg-cliess
During its May 13 conference call, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved modifications to the spring Chinook salmon fishing seasons due to the numbers of actual returning adult Chinook salmon over Bonneville Dam exceeding the preseason forecast.
Here’s what’s changedFishing Days
Fishing for… more
Grizzly bear mistakenly shot and killed by a hunter in Bonner County in North Idaho
| idfg-tjross
On the evening of May 9, a hunter shot and killed a young female grizzly bear he mistook for a black bear. The bear was killed in the Priest Lake drainage of Idaho’s Panhandle. After identifying the bear at the scene as a grizzly, the hunter immediately self-reported via the Citizen’s Against Poaching hotline and… more
Bioblitz planned for Edson Fichter Nature Area in Pocatello on May 17
| idfg-jjackson
The newly-formed Friends of Edson Fichter Nature Area group is sponsoring a Bioblitz on Saturday, May 17, at the Edson Fichter Nature Area in Pocatello from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A Bioblitz uses biologists, naturalists, and members of the public to focus on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a… more
Got a good set of eyes and a green thumb? Become a community scientist and help F&G monitor monarch butterflies this summer
| idfg-cliess
The monarch butterfly is an iconic species. Their migrations span thousands of miles, taking upwards of three generations of monarchs to complete the journey. Currently, however, their populations are in dire straits due to a wide variety of factors, including drought, pesticides, winter habitat loss, and more. … more
Southwest Region rainbow trout stocking schedule - May
| idfg-bpearson
Fish and Game staff will be stocking more than 133,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout at the following locations across the Southwest Region in May.
All fish stocked are rainbow trout, unless otherwise noted. Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (… more
F&G begins annual grizzly bear research trapping in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest
| idfg-jbrower
As part of ongoing efforts to monitor the population of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, biologists from Idaho Fish and Game will begin annual research trapping grizzly bears in the Upper Snake Region beginning in May. Trapping will occur in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest within the caldera in… more
F&G Commission will meet via special conference call on Tuesday, May 13 at 9 a.m. MDT
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission is scheduled to hold a special conference call on Tuesday, May 13 at 9 a.m. MDT. People can attend in person at Fish and Game’s Headquarters Office at 600 South Walnut in Boise or visit a regional office to listen in.
The special meeting will not include a public hearing, and… more
Spring Chinook Salmon Fishing Update 5/6/2025: Rapid River Run, Hells Canyon, and Clearwater River Fisheries
| idfg-jdupont
Hi everybody.
It is time for my weekly spring Chinook Salmon update (May 6, 2025).
RUN UPDATE
Since my last update on 4/29/2025, fish counts at Bonneville Dam have continued to increase (see figure below). The 7,700 adult fish that were counted three days ago exceeded any count… more
Celebrating and honoring Idaho’s first state game warden, Charles Henry Arbuckle
| idfg-gwooten
As Idaho Fish and Game rounds out a year of celebrating its 125th anniversary, the Idaho Conservation Officers Association (ICOA) has taken steps to officially recognize and honor Idaho’s first state game warden by placing a memorial stone at his gravesite.
Back when Idaho was admitted to the union in 1890 by… more
Now available: Controlled hunt drawing results for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat
| idfg-cliess
Hunters who applied for controlled hunts for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat hunts can see if they drew a tag by going to www.GoOutdoorsIdaho.com.
Hunters who were not successful in the draw can expect to receive a refund of the tag fees paid during the application process. Applicants who submitted… more
Here's how public input helped shape big game seasons in Southwest Idaho
| idfg-bpearson
When hunters peek online or thumb through their copy of the 2025 Big Game Seasons and Rules Brochure for the first time, they should take note of several changes to seasons in the Southwest Region – and understand how those changes came about.
This season-setting process began with biologists and… more
F&G, City of Caldwell partnering to address invasive weeds at Rotary Pond
| idfg-bpearson
Sometime during the week of May 4 through May 10, Idaho Fish and Game staff will be assisting the City of Caldwell with an herbicide application at Caldwell Rotary Pond to knock back invasive aquatic weeds that frequently make the pond unfishable in the summer months. The actual date of the treatment will depend on… more
Several Fish and Game fishing and boating access sites in the Panhandle Region will be temporarily closed for maintenance during May
| idfg-tjross
Idaho Fish and Game will be temporarily closing five of its fishing and boating access sites in the Panhandle Region for short duration repairs during the month of May.
Over 25,000 catchable rainbow trout are headed to the Panhandle Region in May
| idfg-tjross
Warm weather is here and so are the rainbow trout! Over 25,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) rainbow trout will be stocked in the Panhandle Region in May.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns); dates may change due to weather or… more
Checking the pulse of Idaho's salmon and steelhead runs
| idfg-tcopeland
Doctors start assessing our health by counting the number of pulses we have in a minute. When it comes to Idaho’s migrating salmon and steelhead, we can get a quick idea of the health of the populations by counting the number of fish passing dams on their migration. Like a pulse, it doesn’t tell us everything, but it… more
Fish and Game access closure at Winchester Lake May 12-17
| idfg-jbruns
Due to core drilling around the Winchester dam, the Fish and Game access area at Winchester Lake will be closed the week of May 12-17. This work is in preparation for future Winchester dam upgrades and repairs. The temporary closure will not affect the Winchester State Park access areas/boat ramps. Contact the regional… more
SW Idaho Archers Rejoice: Boise River WMA archery range is back open
| idfg-cliess
Exciting times for Southwest Idaho’s archery community. After nearly seven months, the Boise River Wildlife Management Area’s 3D archery range reopened to the public on May 3. Recall, back in October 2024 a portion of the Boise River WMA engulfed in what became known as the Valley Fire, ultimately scorching 9,904 acres… more
F&G staff gives kokanee fishing tips to help you better understand (and catch) these unique fish
| idfg-rphillips
Kokanee fishing techniques might be described as “familiar, but different.” People catch kokanee primarily by trolling, which is a pretty common method of fishing. But when you think of most species you troll for, there’s usually a variety of ways to catch those fish, including from shore.
That’s why… more