License fraud is far too common, and the public can help Fish and Game detect and reduce its occurrence

Fri, 10/14/2022 - 11:11 | idfg-jberl

A recent survey asked Idaho sportsmen and women what they viewed as the most severe and egregious wildlife violations - from fishing without a license, to spotlighting, to killing wildlife outside of legal seasons and more. 

One of the top responses may come as a bit of a surprise to some: license fraud. It’s… more

October’s Wildlife Express sheds some (black) light on Idaho’s scorpions

Fri, 10/14/2022 - 10:43 | idfg-cliess

If you thought rattlesnakes were the only antagonists of the Idaho desert, think again. The Gem State’s dry country is home to an arachnid that many folks don’t even think about: scorpions.

For some, scorpions are nightmare fuel when camping out under the stars in southern Idaho. Recall the famous Gary Larsen… more

Carcass of big game animal left to waste near Rockland

Thu, 10/13/2022 - 17:54 | idfg-jjackson

Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking information regarding a possible deer or elk left to waste near Rockland in Power County.  The skinned and quartered remains of either a large deer or possibly a small elk were found west of Big Canyon Road next to a group of trees.  No head was present to aid in the… more

Interested in winning prizes for fishing? The Lake Pend Oreille Angler Science Program might be for you!

Thu, 10/13/2022 - 10:51 | idfg-tjross

If you have spent much time fishing on Lake Pend Oreille, then maybe you’ve been lucky enough to catch a monster rainbow trout. If not, you’ve likely seen pictures of the truly impressive fish that reside there. 

In recent years, Lake Pend Oreille has been producing more rainbow trout over 20 pounds… more

It’s mating season for some of Idaho’s large wildlife species which means males can become aggressive

Wed, 10/12/2022 - 21:31 | idfg-tthompson

It’s fall, which we associate with cooler temperatures and the start of hunting seasons across the state. To Idaho’s wildlife, fall is the time of year when many species of wildlife such as elk, moose, deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep and mountain goats breed or go into rut. When in rut, they begin searching for a… more

Henrys Lake sets new state record hybrid trout

Wed, 10/12/2022 - 16:37 | idfg-mkoenig

Hailey Thomas of Rigby hoists a 36-inch rainbow/cutthroat hybrid trout from Henrys Lake before releasing the fish and taking home a catch-and-release state record. 

Congratulations to Hailey Thomas of Rigby on landing a new catch-and-release state record from Henrys Lake. Hailey hooked the 36-inch long… more

State of Deer and Elk: Movements and migrations help define wildlife populations around the state

Wed, 10/12/2022 - 15:34 | idfg-rphillips

Since prehistoric times, people have known that big game animals roam throughout Idaho. Deer and elk are typically seasonal migrants that inhabit mid and upper elevations spring through fall and then move onto winter range to escape deep snow and bitter cold.

But learning exactly where and when animals… more

Big Game hunters – know the rules for motorized travel in some big game hunting units

Wed, 10/12/2022 - 14:26 | idfg-tthompson

With increasing use of motorized vehicles such as side-by-sides and ATVs by big game hunters, everyone, especially those using motorized vehicles need to be aware of the motorized hunting rule. The rule applies when someone is actively hunting big game using a motorized vehicle. The rule is in effect from August 30… more

Waterfowl season opens Oct. 19 for most of Southwest Idaho

Wed, 10/12/2022 - 10:04 | idfg-bpearson

Duck hunters in Southwest Idaho are reminded that the 2022-2023 waterfowl season opens Wednesday, Oct. 19, excluding Valley County, where the season has been open since Oct. 1.

While some hunters may still be accustomed to the waterfowl season opener falling on a weekend, this is the second consecutive year in… more

Idaho's WMAs provide a bounty of waterfowl hunting opportunities

Wed, 10/12/2022 - 10:03 | idfg-bpearson

The Snake River has received much acclaim as the go-to public land duck hunting destination in Idaho, but it’s certainly not the only place where hunters have an accessible place to hunt waterfowl. About two-thirds of Fish and Game's Wildlife Management Areas are managed with waterfowl in mind, providing food and… more

Oct. 11 Upper Salmon River Weekly Steelhead Fishing Report

Tue, 10/11/2022 - 15:29 | idfg-bbeller

Idaho Fish and Game personnel began interviewing steelhead anglers on the upper Salmon River on Saturday, October 1.  During the first weekend, angler effort was low, and no anglers reported catching a steelhead. Angler effort increased the following week with most anglers located downstream of North Fork in location… more

Pheasant season will be opening soon in the Magic Valley – here’s what you need to know

Tue, 10/11/2022 - 14:24 | idfg-tthompson

The pheasant season opener has long been a family tradition for many in the Magic Valley. While the opener may not have its past luster due to significant habitat loss resulting in a steep decline in wild bird numbers, there continues to be opportunities for bird hunters to take to the fields. 

In the Magic… more

Fish and Game’s MK Nature Center welcomes its newest addition, a 7-foot sturgeon

Tue, 10/11/2022 - 13:10 | idfg-cliess

Everyone knows the excitement that comes along when a Fish and Game fish truck backs up to a local pond or lake. So imagine the excitement when a long-bed truck carrying a 7-foot-long fish pulled up at Fish and Game’s MK Nature Center on Oct. 11.

The 7-foot sturgeon was recently added to MK Nature… more

Trespassing call in Pahsimeroi Valley leads to over 50 wildlife charges filed against five southwest Idaho men

Tue, 10/11/2022 - 09:39 | idfg-mdemick

What started as a simple phone call to Idaho Fish and Game about trespassing in the Pahsimeroi Valley during the 2021 pronghorn archery season, led to an extensive investigation with over 50 wildlife charges filed against five southwest Idaho men.

Charges were filed in six Idaho counties where the… more

Clearwater Pheasant Stocking & Access Yes!: What to Know Before You Go

Fri, 10/07/2022 - 17:47 | idfg-Deborah.M…

Fall is officially here, which means grab the shotgun, some blaze orange, the kids, the dog and get out there! Here in the Clearwater, Fish… more

Southeast Region Fish and Game asks deer and elk hunters to submit samples for CWD testing this fall

Fri, 10/07/2022 - 12:09 | idfg-jjackson

Chronic Wasting Disease or CWD was detected for the first time in Idaho in 2021 in Game Management Units 14 and 15 after more than 20 years of proactive surveillance and testing. CWD is a contagious and fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. There is no cure for this fatal disease.

As a… more

Irrigators in the Salmon Region asked to contact Fish and Game before turning water off for season

Fri, 10/07/2022 - 09:50 | idfg-mdemick

With the irrigation season winding down and efforts to keep fish out of local ditches, irrigators who divert water from area rivers and streams are asked to call Idaho Fish and Game’s Screen Program at 756-6022 several days before shutting off their water for the season.   

Irrigators are also asked to ramp… more

VIDEO: how to preserve evidence of sex and species on a big game animal

Thu, 10/06/2022 - 17:05 | idfg-jbruns

Failure to leave evidence of sex and species naturally attached to a big game animal, remains one of the most common violations detected at Fish and Game check stations, so in order to help hunters, Fish and Game staff have created a helpful video below that is especially important for those hunting within a CWD… more