Press Releases and Articles
FALL CHINOOK SALMON UPDATE: harvest of unclipped Chinook resumes Oct. 4
| idfg-jdupont
Hi everybody. I have good news to report. After closely reviewing all the available data with the Nez Perce Tribe and other agencies, we have confidence that the number of adult wild fall Chinook Salmon that will pass above Lower Granite Dam will exceed 5,040 fish. If you have read my previous updates (fall chinook and… more
Part 1: Private lands are an important part of Idaho’s big game habitat
| idfg-rphillips
A hunter drives by a rancher’s field and sees a herd of elk, including several bulls, after only seeing a few elk in his favorite hunting spot the previous season. While he always enjoys seeing elk, he’s frustrated that they are casually feeding behind a no trespassing sign.
“Some guys have all the… more
EHD is a recurring disease and an unfortunate reality for Idaho’s white-tailed deer
| idfg-rphillips
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease occurs periodically in Idaho, typically during hot summers and during drought. It mostly affects white-tailed deer, but mule deer can also contract it. The disease is caused by a virus spread by gnats when deer are concentrated near ponds, reservoirs and other water sources with exposed… more
Important reminders about rules in the Unit 1 CWD management zone
| idfg-tjross
After chronic wasting disease was detected in three white-tailed deer near Bonners Ferry, a portion of Unit 1 was designated as a CWD management zone effective Oct. 1. During the 2024 hunting season, three additional white-tailed deer also tested positive for CWD within the management zone.
Mule deer 2025: Here's where we are, and from where we've come
| idfg-rphillips
Mule deer hunters have reason to be optimistic about this fall, and cautious about the future. Mule deer harvest increased by 30% last fall over the 2023 season, and signs look promising we could see another harvest bump.
Positive signs for 2025Mild-to-normal winters typically grow Idaho’s mule deer herds… more
Hunters are reminded of special rules in CWD management zone: Units 14 and 18
| idfg-jbruns
With some hunting seasons underway and others beginning soon, the Clearwater Region would like to remind hunters of the rules associated with chronic wasting disease (CWD).
Clearwater Region hunters must be aware of special rules if they harvest a deer, elk, or moose in Units 14 or 18
The Idaho Fish and… more
VIDEO: F&G, Nez Perce Tribe partner to monitor wild Chinook spawning in Secesh River
| idfg-bpearson
When Chinook salmon migrate from the ocean back to their natal streams to spawn in the late summer, Fish and Game biologists are often there waiting to document salmon redds (nests), collect information from caracasses about fish size and condition, document all tags or other marks salmon may have, and collect genetic… more
Aerial Herbicide Application on the Sand Creek Desert
| idfg-jbrower
During the last several days of September, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will implement a targeted herbicide treatment in the Sand Creek Desert in Fremont and Clark counties. Around 2,600 acres will be treated by aerial application around the Morgan’s Crater and Dry Lake portions of Sand Creek Desert.
… more
Salmon Region waters to be stocked with trout in October
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Fish and Game staff will stock 1,400 trout in the 10-12-inch range at three local waters in early October.
Important dates to help plan your October
| idfg-cliess
From tags sales to season openers, there’s a lot happening in Idaho during October that you should be aware of. Staying in the loop can be the difference between applying for that coveted controlled hunt tag and watching from the sidelines.
Be sure to stay up to date on all Fish and Game happenings. Here are… more
Statewide trout stocking highlights for October 2025
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 300,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this October. 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
F&G seeks local volunteer to serve on the Citizens Shooting Range Advisory Committee
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking a volunteer representative from the Salmon Region who wants to have an impact on shooting range decisions. The volunteer will serve on a Citizens Shooting Range Advisory Committee, which will be responsible for providing annual input about public shooting range grant applications.… more
Pheasant stocking begins before youth season at three locations in the Salmon Region
| idfg-mdemick
Bird hunters should be excited that beginning in early October, pheasants will be stocked weekly at Pratt Creek, Kirtley Creek, and the Pahsimeroi River Access areas.
Stockings will begin prior to the youth pheasant hunting season that runs Oct. 4-10 and will continue weekly during the season. Youth ages… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Update (09-26-2025)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, October is nearly here, which means many of us are gearing up for steelhead fishing on the Upper Salmon River (USR). With that in mind, this seemed like a good week to provide an update on how this fall’s steelhead return to the Upper Salmon River is shaping up. If you are interested in steelhead returns… more
Low-flying helicopter herbicide treatments planned in Unit 76 this October
| idfg-tatwood
Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts planning to visit the western portions of the Bear Lake Plateau, specifically the Merkley Mountain/Mahogany Ridge areas and/or the Bear Lake State Park (IDPR-managed State Lands at the Utah border) in early October, should be aware that low-flying helicopters will be applying herbicide… more
CWD management in Idaho: Here's what we're working toward
| idfg-rphillips
If you’ve hunted big game in Idaho, odds are good you’ve heard about chronic wasting disease, and hopefully, you know the basics of this incurable, fatal disease that infects deer, elk and moose.
But you may be wondering “What is Fish and Game doing about it?”
The answer is fairly simple.… more
Clearwater region pheasant stocking begins in time for youth season
| idfg-jbruns
A hunter's favorite time of the year is finally here! There are so many opportunities to get out hunting this fall, including flushing pheasants! The youth-only pheasant season provides a great opportunity for youth hunters to get outdoors and have the opportunity to bag their first pheasant. The Redbird segment of the… more
Fall Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Update: Sept. 24
| idfg-jdupont
Hi everybody. With recent changes in the fall Chinook salmon season, I felt it was important to provide an update on the status of this fishery including whether harvest restriction on adipose-intact adult fall Chinook salmon will continue past September 26. And while I was at it, I thought it would also be a good time… more