Press Releases and Articles
32nd Annual Hyde Pond Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby a Success
| idfg-mdemick
By Brett Kelly, IDFG Fisheries Biologist, Salmon Region
Over 70 young anglers braved the winter weather at the 32nd Annual Kids’ Ice Fishing Derby held at Hyde Pond on Saturday, February 1.
While most participants were from Lemhi and Custer counties, kids from all across southeastern Idaho… more
F&G Citizens Shooting Range Advisory Committee to meet Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. MST in Boise and virtually
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Citizens Shooting Range Advisory Committee will hold its second meeting on Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. MST at Fish and Game's headquarters building at 600 S. Walnut Street in Boise. The meeting will be streamed live via Zoom. However, members of the public in attendance or online can observe the meeting,… more
ICYMI: Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting Jan. 29, 2025
| idfg-cliess
Watch the full recap of the Jan. 29, 2025 Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting in Boise.
Topics covered include: 2025-2030 Idaho Black Bear Management Plan, Non-Resident Tag Issuance Advisory Group Recommendations, and the 2025-2026 Season Setting for Moose, Bighorn Sheep, and Mountain Goat.
Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for Feb. 4
| idfg-jjackson
Members of the Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee (WFAC) will meet on Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. to assist Idaho Fish and Game with the assessment of winter conditions and observations related to big game animals (movements, depredations, activity on roadways, body conditions, mortalities) in the Southeast Region… more
Application deadline extended for Idaho Master Naturalist 2025 registration
| idfg-jjackson
The High Desert Chapter of the Idaho Master Naturalists in southeast Idaho has extended its application deadline to Feb. 6 for those interested in becoming a certified master naturalist in 2025. Those who love the outdoors and learning more about southeast Idaho’s wildlife, habitats, and other natural resources… more
F&G surveying mule deer across southern Idaho units, here's what they're looking for
| idfg-bpearson
Beginning at the end of January and for the few weeks, wildlife biologists from several regions in southern Idaho will be flying a mule deer abundance survey on winter range in the Smoky-Boise DAU, which includes portions of Units 39, 45, 48, 49, 50, 52, 52A, and 53.
Two to three helicopters will be used because… more
Bureau of Reclamation enforcing vehicle restrictions on Hot Springs Wildlife Management Area of Lake Cascade
| idfg-jmessner
January has been very cold and has brought virtually no snow to Valley County, which has been great for ice conditions on Lake Cascade but has created issues for unauthorized use of Bureau of Reclamation land surrounding the reservoir. Anglers have begun creating a parking area on the Hot Springs Wildlife… more
Nonresidents need a valid Idaho big game hunting license to gather antlers in Idaho
| idfg-jjackson
This time of year, shed hunters get excited about hitting the hills looking for antlers dropped by Idaho’s big game animals. However, it is important to remember that those who are not legal Idaho residents are now required to purchase a nonresident Idaho license for hunting big game in order to legally pick-up… more
Aerial seeding in Valley Fire burn area will take place on Jan. 30
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game will be using a helicopter to aerially seed sagebrush on the Boise River Wildlife Management Area on Thursday, Jan. 30 – part of the ongoing habitat rehabilitation efforts following the 2024 Valley Fire.
The area being seeded is within the portion of the WMA that is closed to the public… more
River otter trapping closed for the season in the Panhandle Region
| idfg-tjross
The river otter trapping season in the Panhandle Region closed on Jan. 27 after the harvest quota was met on Jan. 24.
River otters must be presented at the Panhandle Region office in Coeur d'Alene to obtain the appropriate pelt tag within 72 hours of harvest. Any trapper who has already reached their… more
Calling all anglers: South Fork Clearwater River localized broodstock program kicks off again!
| idfg-staff
Hi folks! February is fast approaching, and that means another season of localized broodstock collection on the South Fork Clearwater River. Since 2010, Idaho Fish and Game has relied on assistance from the public to capture broodstock and help fuel the next generations of steelhead bound for our region.
… more
Statewide trout stocking highlights for February 2025
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 12,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this February. Wondering if the stocking trucks are going to be backing up to your favorite fishing hole? We asked our Fish and Game hatchery staff to boil down some of the most… more
What a difference the stream makes for juvenile steelhead
| idfg-lreinhardt
Anybody who’s spent some time in Idaho’s wild spaces can tell you that our stream systems come in many different varieties. We have small brooks that trickle over cascading rocks. We have roaring rivers that meander through valleys and slice through canyons. Most streams, however, fall somewhere in between and one of… more
Unlocking the story of Chinook salmon using dorsal fin rays
| idfg-Maddie.Myers
You may be aware that Chinook salmon return from the ocean to their spawning grounds in Idaho, but what you might not know is the Idaho Fish and Game uses Chinook dorsal fin rays to obtain their saltwater age.
Chinook salmon are born in streams throughout Idaho and emigrate to the ocean to spend most of… more
River otter trapping season closed in Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game was notified that the Clearwater Region's limit of 20 river otters was met on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. The otter trapping season for the entire region closes 72 hours after the harvest quota has been met. As a result, the otter season for the Clearwater Region closed at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan… more
F&G to host spring/summer Chinook salmon public meetings in February
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game will be hosting six public meetings for anglers to provide comments and opinions for spring/summer Chinook salmon fisheries. The meetings are slated for February, are free to attend, and (best of all) complimentary pizza and beverages will be provided.
Fish and Game fisheries biologists will… more
Applications for spring turkey controlled hunts open Feb. 1
| idfg-cliess
Turkey hunters looking to apply for 2025 spring controlled turkey hunts can apply from Feb. 1 to March 1. Information on the spring 2025 controlled turkey hunts can be found in the 2024-25 Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules booklet.
Hunters must have a 2025 hunting license in order to apply for… more
Haven't tried ice fishing yet? Here's what you're missing
| idfg-rphillips
If you haven't tried ice fishing, you're missing out on a fun, inexpensive winter activity that's a great way to catch lots of tasty fish. Prime ice conditions for fishing varies by region depending on climate, elevation, and other factors, but typically late December through mid February are good times.
… more