Press Releases and Articles
Hayden and Kid's Creek ponds stocked with huge trout
| idfg-mdemick
Clear Springs Foods recently donated 160 giant trout that were stocked in Hayden Pond and Kid's Creek Pond on Friday, September 20.
The super-sized trout, which average 9 pounds, were stocked by personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s Mackay Hatchery and regional fisheries staff. Approximately 100 trout… more
Recent Trail Maintenance on Snow Peak WMA
| idfg-lwolf
This summer, the IDFG wildlife habitat crew was busy opening up and improving Snow Peak Wildlife Management Area trails for hikers and horseback riders.
Starting at Sawtooth Saddle (at the end of the FS 201 road), the crew cleared logs and removed brush along 3 miles of Trail #100 down to Buck Creek… more
Grizzly bear mistaken for black bear by hunter in Panhandle
| Anonymous (not verified)
On September 17, a nonresident (Montana) hunter shot and killed a grizzly bear that he mistook for a black bear. He was hunting in Idaho’s Panhandle near the Canadian border (Smith Creek). After identifying the bear as a grizzly at the scene, the hunter contacted Fish and Game and is cooperating with the investigation… more
Youth pheasant hunts scheduled in Salmon and Challis Oct 5
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Department of Fish and Game will host two youth pheasant hunts for Salmon and Challis-area youth on Saturday, October 5.
Designed for youth hunters ages 10-17, the hunts are free and will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Salmon and Challis.
Youth in Salmon will begin their day at the… more
Henrys Lake newsletter August 2019
| idfg-jbrower
Once again we had a great turn out for our annual Henrys Lake public meeting which took place on Thursday August 29th. For those of you who were unable to attend you can watch the presentation and meeting by clicking the following link: Henrys Lake Meeting Video 2019… more
Commission closes steelhead fishery in Clearwater River basin
| idfg-bpearson
On Friday, Sept. 20, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission voted to close all fall steelhead seasons on the Clearwater River because the number of returning adult hatchery fish is less than the number needed for broodstock, and there is no surplus to provide a fishery.
The closure is effective at midnight on Sept… more
Hunter Education Field Day offered in Salmon
| idfg-mdemick
A hunter education Field Day is scheduled in Salmon Sept. 21 for those who have completed or are working to complete the online hunter education course. The Field Day will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at Fish and Game’s Salmon Regional office at 99 Highway 93 North.
Space is limited and registration is required… more
Bird hunters encouraged to donate their wings
| idfg-bpearson
With many upland game bird seasons opening soon, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is asking hunters to donate a fully feathered wing for each bird they harvest.
Because juvenile and adult birds molt their wing feathers differently, biologists can use this information to estimate chick production that year… more
Mountain goats are 'on top of the world'
| idfg-scassinelli
Mountain goats can be found on steep, rocky areas in central Idaho’s wilderness areas, the Panhandle mountains and Seven Devils, and in eastern Idaho’s mountain ranges along the Wyoming and Montana borders. Get to know these bearded bovids in the September 2019 edition of Wildlife Express.
Also, hunting… more
2019 Upland Forecast: Here's what hunting looks like across the state
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho is a big state with a diverse mix of habitats, elevations and climates, and the state contains a variety of upland game birds. Upland bird populations can vary tremendously on an annual basis, and their health and numbers typically depend on favorable weather conditions, which are often very… more
Panhandle Region seeking help monitoring for Chronic Wasting Disease
| idfg-mellstrom
The Panhandle Region of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is asking hunters to help with a surveillance program looking for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This is part of a general surveillance, rotational sampling strategy that IDFG initiated in 2017 to monitor for CWD.
Fish and Game staff are… more
Update Sept. 13: All nonresident elk and deer tags sold out
| idfg-rphillips
Fish and Game licensing section reported all regular nonresident deer and elk tags have sold out.
Limits apply only to nonresident deer tags. There is no limit on the number of resident deer tags available.
F&G stocks tiger muskies in two Southwest Region waters
| idfg-bpearson
A new, unique and toothy fishing opportunity awaits anglers in Southwest Idaho. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has stocked sterile tiger muskies in Lake Lowell and Black Canyon Reservoir for the first time ever. Tiger muskies are a sterile hybrid of true muskellunge (muskies) and northern pike.… more
Here are 14 reasons why you should fish during fall
| idfg-rphillips
For many Idahoans, feeling cool morning air and seeing hints of red and gold in the forest means it’s time to lace up the boots and grab a gun or bow for hunting season, but don’t overlook fall fishing. That cool weather means many fish are re-energized after their summer slumbers and ready to eat… more
F&G monitoring low steelhead return and commission may alter season
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game's fisheries staff continue to monitor steelhead returns over Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, and the run appears to be smaller than earlier forecasted, which could prompt the Fish and Game Commission to alter the already-restricted season.
Through Sept. 12, biologists estimate about … more
Fish and Game recognizes volunteers in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-tthompson
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Magic Valley Region recently held a volunteer recognition dinner to honor and thank our Hunter Education instructors and Reservist volunteers. In 2018 these dedicated volunteers taught 43 hunter and bowhunter classes, and 16 field day classes to our next generation of hunters.… more
Spring Chinook Spawning Season is in Full Swing
| idfg-sputnam
There are some people who get the unique opportunity to watch salmon spawn in the wild. But even those of us that have a chance to see it as part of our job rarely get the view from underwater. This video provides a rare and fascinating glimpse into that world. (note: the hatchery fish in the video were filmed… more
Hunters: Buy deer tags early to avoid the last minute rush
| idfg-bpearson
Deer hunters have a lot to look forward to this season, but standing in a long line waiting to buy a tag should not be one of them. Fish and Game is anticipating high volumes of sales immediately before the opening day on Oct. 10. By buying tags early, hunters can avoid the last-minute rush.
Hunters have… more