Press Releases and Articles
Young angler lands a new state record chiselmouth. Also, what is a chiselmouth?
| idfg-cliess
Before our Sportfishing Program Coordinator could close Idaho’s record books during what’s turned into a wallop of a record fish season, Carmen, Idaho angler Akeley Fahnholz tossed her hat into the ring.
While fishing on June 8 along the Salmon River up near the town that shares the same name, Akeley… more
F&G releases the first generation of 'captive broodstock' kokanee
| idfg-rphillips
About four years ago, a “What if?” idea became reality, and kokanee anglers will soon be catching the results. During June, about a million kokanee fingerlings raised from Idaho Fish and Game’s first “captive broodstock” were released into Idaho’s lakes and reservoirs. Many of those fish will reach catchable size… more
Upper Salmon River Chinook update - 7/8/2026
| idfg-gschoby
Here’s the latest update for the upper Salmon River Chinook fishery, with the most recent numbers through Sunday July 5, 2026.
For the upper Salmon River Chinook fishery to date we estimate:
Anglers have harvested 103 hatchery adult Chinook salmon and 8 hatchery jacks and have released an… more
July 8, 2026 South Fork Salmon River Chinook Update
| idfg-jmessner
South Fork Salmon River Fishery Expands to Seven Days per Week
The South Fork Salmon River Chinook fishery is expanding to seven days per week, effective today (July 8).
With roughly half of our harvest share still available and fishing conditions beginning to change, the IDFG Director has authorized an… more
2027 Art Contest: Design next year’s hard card
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game is now accepting art submissions for the 2027 durable hard card licenses — your chance to have your work featured on a collectible that hunters and anglers carry with them all year long.
Each year, these wallet-sized licenses showcase original artwork highlighting Idaho’s iconic species… more
Fish and Game stocking jack Chinook salmon in New Meadows pond
| idfg-jmessner
Looking to reel in a salmon without heading to the river? Idaho Fish and Game is stocking Meadow Creek Pond with surplus jack Chinook salmon this week, giving anglers a rare opportunity to catch these tasty fish close to home.
Approximately 100 jack Chinook salmon (less than 24 inches) from the Rapid River… more
SF Salmon River Chinook salmon fishery to open seven days per week
| idfg-cliess
Beginning July 8, the Chinook salmon fishing season on the South Fork Salmon River will increase from four days per week to seven days per week. With water levels dropping and water temperatures increasing, this change is being implemented to increase the likelihood of reaching the harvest share.
For more… more
F&G closes access to Boise River WMA due to Claremont Fire
| idfg-bpearson
Fish and Game’s Southwest Region has closed access to the Boise River WMA due to the Claremont Fire, in coordination with the Bureau of Land Management’s temporary closures of BLM-managed public lands and trails within the Boise Foothills. Fish and Game staff have closed all gated access points to the WMA.
The… more
F&G Commission meeting July 15-16 in Jerome
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet July 15 and 16 at Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Regional Office at 324 South 417 East in Jerome. A public hearing will begin on July 15 at 7 p.m. MDT at the same location. Those wishing to speak to the Commission during the public hearing will have a three-minute time limit,… more
Fish salvage order issued for the Big Wood River below Magic Dam and the Richfield Canal Diversion
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Idaho Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region has been informed by the Big Wood Canal Company that the gates on Magic Reservoir Dam will be closing sometime around July 5, leading to substantial flow reductions or cessation of flow which functionally de-waters the Big Wood River approximately 1.25 miles below the dam… more
Upper Salmon River Chinook update - 7/1/2026
| idfg-gschoby
Here’s the latest update for the upper Salmon River Chinook fishery, with the most recent numbers through Sunday June 28, 2026.
Through the first two weeks of the fishery, we estimate:
Anglers harvested 68 hatchery adult salmon and released an estimated 17 unclipped adult salmon. Angler effort… more
Georgia angler reels in new Idaho catch-and-release record brown trout
| idfg-cliess
Idaho’s South Fork Snake River is no stranger when it comes to productive brown trout fishing. This trophy river — one of Idaho’s most legendary — is known to regularly hold brownies, known for their yellowish bodies and long, angular faces.
Although not native to Idaho’s waters, brown trout offer some… more
What's going on with the Payette Lake fishery?
| idfg-jmessner
If you've fished Payette Lake for kokanee this year, you already know the catch has been slower than it's been in a while. I'm not going to sugarcoat it: Kokanee abundance is down this season. But before that becomes a story about a fishery falling apart, here's the bigger picture: Payette Lake's kokanee have come back… more
June 30, 2026 South Fork Salmon River Chinook Update
| idfg-jmessner
Fishery Update
The second fishing interval on the South Fork Salmon River was a cold, wet one, and the weather definitely affected angler turnout. We observed just over half the fishing effort compared to the opening four-day interval.
For those willing to brave the rain and chilly temperatures, however,… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for July 2026 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 25,785 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in July. The stocking date and numbers of fish are approximate.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns); dates… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for July 2026 in the Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
Fish and Game staff will be stocking approximately 3,500 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout at the two following locations within the Clearwater Region in July!
Southwest Region rainbow trout stocking schedule - July
| idfg-bpearson
Fish and Game staff will stock more than 26,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout throughout the Southwest Region in July.
All fish stocked are rainbow trout. Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns); dates may change due to weather or… more
July trout stocking schedule for the Southeast Region
| idfg-jjackson
Grab your fishing pole, pack the cooler, and don’t forget your fishing license (or the bug spray)! Personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s hatcheries in the Southeast Region will be releasing nearly 10,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at various locations during July. Have a happy and safe 4th of July! Fish on!… more