Press Releases and Articles
Moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat controlled hunt application period opens April 1
| idfg-cliess
The application period for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat controlled hunts opens April 1 and runs through April 30. Hunters can apply online, at any Fish and Game office, license vendor, or by calling 1 (800) 554-8685.
Apply online at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com.
Resident and nonresident can apply for… more
Prescribed burn occurring at Market Lake to improve waterfowl habitat
| idfg-jbrower
Idaho Fish and Game Upper Snake Region is working with the Bureau of Land Management to implement prescribed burns across a large portion of the Market Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located in eastern Idaho, north of Roberts. The prescribed burn is expected to take place between March 31 and April 1, but is… more
Important dates to help plan your April
| idfg-cliess
From tags sales to general season openers, there’s a lot happening in Idaho during April 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.… more
Statewide trout stocking highlights for April 2026
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 214,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this April. 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
Spring Chinook fishing set to open April 25
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved spring Chinook seasons to open on April 25 in the Snake River, Lower Salmon River, Little Salmon River, Mainstem Clearwater River, Middle Fork Clearwater River, North Fork Clearwater River, South Fork Clearwater River, and Lochsa River.
Bag limits and days per week… more
Southwest Region rainbow trout stocking schedule - April
| idfg-bpearson
Fish and Game staff will be stocking nearly 68,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout throughout the Southwest Region in April.
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… more
Over 25,000 catchable rainbow trout headed for lakes in the Panhandle Region in April
| 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 April.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns); dates may change due to weather or… more
ICYMI: Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting March 25
| idfg-cliess
Topics covered include spring Chinook salmon seasons; Unit 40 bighorn sheep season modification; 5-day waiting period to buy capped elk zone tags; and more.
Reminder: Turn in Kootenai River Angler Science Program packets by April 1 for a chance to win prizes
| idfg-tjross
If you participated in the 2026 Kootenai River Angler Science Program, thank you for contributing your time and information. The data you collected plays an important role in helping Idaho Fish and Game monitor and manage the burbot fishery in the Kootenai River.
Here’s what Southwest Idaho hunters need to know before spring turkey, bear hunts kick off in April
| idfg-bpearson
April is just around the corner, which means two of Idaho’s popular spring hunting opportunities are, too. Whether you’re chasing beards or bears, there’s plenty of reason for optimism if you’re hunting in the Southwest Region, but there are also a couple of changes you need to know about before heading out into the… more
Big game scoring day to be held in Idaho Falls
| idfg-gsteel
Ever wonder how that big buck you shot last year would score in the record books? Well, April is your chance to get big game antlers, horns or skulls measured and scored by official Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young scorers.
Idaho Fish and Game is hosting a free scoring event on April 6 at… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (3-24-2026)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for March 24, 2026. The data discussed in this report were primarily collected between Wednesday, March 18 and Sunday, March 22.
Steelhead angler effort continued to consolidate towards the Pahsimeroi and Sawtooth fish hatcheries last… more
Idaho Fish and Game investigating fish loss at Kiwanis Park Pond in Lewiston
| idfg-jthiessen
Idaho Fish and Game is currently investigating a fish loss event at Kiwanis Park Pond in Lewiston, where approximately 150 of the 900 recently stocked fish were found dead two days following release.
Despite the loss, fishing conditions at the pond remain favorable. Anglers on site have reported high catch rates… more
Fish and Game lifting Boise River WMA closure on April 1
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game will lift the all-entry closure on the Boise Front segment of Boise River WMA on April 1. The decision to lift the access closure roughly two weeks early comes in response to the recent warm weather and an exceptionally mild winter.
"Given the winter we experienced, and where deer and elk are… more
Idaho and Utah fish and wildlife agencies to provide Bear Lake fishery updates at public meeting on April 8
| idfg-jjackson
Fisheries staff from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will share updates on the Bear Lake fishery, as well as work plans for 2026, at an upcoming public meeting.
The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8 at 6 p.m. at the National Oregon/California Trail… more
Idaho Fish and Game to do second fish survey in the Snake River below American Falls Reservoir
| idfg-jjackson
On March 24 and 26, Idaho Fish and Game’s Southeast Region will be surveying fish populations on the Snake River below American Falls Dam from Oregon Trail Boat Launch to Pipeline Boat Launch.
This is a repeat of the fall survey completed last November to get a post-winter abundance estimate for comparison. Plus… more
Little Camas Reservoir and Mormon Reservoir trout stocking will not occur in 2026
| idfg-tucker.brauer
Hatchery trout stocking operations will not occur at Mormon Reservoir and Little Camas Reservoir for the 2026 season due to low water levels. Hatchery trout originally intended for Mormon and Little Camas Reservoirs will be stocked elsewhere in the Magic Valley Region to provide additional opportunity for anglers.… more
These instructor-led hunter education courses are coming up in Southwest Idaho
| idfg-bpearson
With the controlled hunt application period fast approaching, now is the time to complete hunter education so that you're certified and ready to apply between May 1 and June 5. Luckily, our instructors have you covered in the Southwest Region.
A total of 10 instructor-led courses with open seats are slated to… more