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Idaho Fish and Game

Press Releases and Articles

River otter trapping season closed in Salmon Region

| idfg-mdemick

Idaho Fish and Game was notified that the Salmon Region's limit of 15 river otters was met on March 26.  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 Salmon Region closes at 11:59 p.m. on March 29. … more

Southwest Region rainbow trout stocking schedule - April

| idfg-bpearson

Fish and Game staff will be stocking nearly 38,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout at the following locations across the Southwest Region in April. With spring in the air, the northern part of the region will get its first shot of fish since the fall, and ponds and reservoirs in the southern portion will… more

Rainbow trout stocking schedule for April 2024 in the Magic Valley Region

| idfg-tthompson

Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 64,825 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in April. All stocking dates and numbers of fish are approximate.

Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns); dates… 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 2024

| idfg-cliess

Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking roughly 225,000 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

Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (03-26-2024)

| idfg-bbeller

Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for March 26, 2024. The data included in this report was collected between Monday, March 18 and Sunday, March 24, 2024.

Angler effort shifted noticeably upriver last week, with a significant reduction in effort observed downstream of Salmon, ID… more

Hunter harvest stats show drop in elk and mule deer harvest, bump in whitetails in 2023

| idfg-cliess

It didn’t take a whole lot of rubbing the crystal ball to forecast a less-than-stellar mule deer harvest in 2023 because of the severe winter that preceded it. And with last fall’s harvest stats now available, the story that commenced after one of the worst eastern Idaho winters on record can be told.

Ironically… more

How's kokanee fishing? It's a tricky question that relies on sound management and help from Mother Nature

| idfg-rphillips

Kokanee salmon are prized by Idaho anglers. In good years, stocking and management by Idaho Fish and Game, along with good environmental conditions, can create banner kokanee fishing. But within a few years, those same fisheries can turn belly up, which can be confusing – and frustrating – for anglers and… more

Updated: F&G Commission approves cuts to antlerless deer and antelope hunts to help herds recover

| idfg-cliess

Fish and Game Commissioners in March approved the following changes to deer and pronghorn hunts for 2024. Many of these hunts were also altered in 2023 to help mule deer and pronghorn recover after the harsh 2023-24 winter. 

These changes will be reflected in the 2024 Big Game Seasons and Rules booklet:… more

F&G Director responds to legal decision regarding wolf trapping and grizzly bears

| idfg-rphillips

A March 19, 2024 federal court decision will change wolf trapping seasons in some regions of Idaho based on their alleged potential effect on grizzly bears.

“We’re very disappointed in this decision,” Fish and Game Director Jim Fredericks said. “While wolf trapping seasons will change to comply with the order,… more

ICYMI: Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting: March 20, 2024

| idfg-cliess

Watch the full recap of the March 20, 2024 Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting in Boise, Idaho. Topics covered include: spring Chinook salmon fishing seasons, 2024 big game season setting adjustments, and an update on Hells Canyon’s bighorn sheep population.

F&G Commission sets spring Chinook seasons for April 27; new e-tagging will be available April 1

| idfg-rphillips

Idaho Fish and Game Commission at its March meeting set the spring Chinook seasons to open on April 27 in the Clearwater, Snake and Salmon River drainages, and for the first time, some anglers will have the chance to tag their fish electronically through the Go Outdoors Idaho mobile app. (See details below.)

The… more

Annual Idaho Fish and Game fur auction to run online April 8-22

| idfg-tjross

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game's annual fur auction will be held online in 2024.

This year’s auction of furs, hides, antlers and other items will be run through Wears Auctioneering West. The online auction opens on April 8 and ends on April 22 at 3 p.m. (MDT). Buyers can preview photos of auction items on… more

2024 Lake Pend Oreille State of the Lake meeting to be held on April 4

| idfg-tjross

The 2024 annual Lake Pend Oreille State of the Lake meeting will be held on April 4 at the Ponderay Events Center (401 Bonner Way, Ponderay) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. PDT.

Large portion of Market Lake Wildlife Management Area in eastern Idaho will be closed for an upcoming prescribed burn

| idfg-gsteel

Idaho Fish and Game's 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. 

Depending on weather and fuel conditions, the prescribed burns will take… more

Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (03-19-2024)

| idfg-bbeller

Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for March 19, 2024. The data included in this report was collected between Monday, March 11 and Sunday, March 17, 2024.

Angler effort was high in all areas of the Upper Salmon River last weekend, as many people got outside to enjoy the warm… more

Dworshak Reservoir 2024 Fisheries Forecast

| idfg-efelts

Dworshak reservoir will provide excellent fishing opportunities once again in 2024. Kokanee anglers should see improved opportunities from 2022-23, and smallmouth bass anglers should continue to experience excellent bass fishing with trophy opportunities. Higher abundances of rainbow trout stocking will also continue… more

Illegal possession of a bighorn sheep head leads to big fines and penalties

| idfg-jbrower

On March 1, 2024, an Idaho resident was sentenced in a Kootenai County court for the unlawful possession of a bighorn sheep ram he claimed to have salvaged as a roadkill in Idaho. The offender was granted a withheld judgement and ordered to pay a $10,000 Civil Penalty, $1,307 in restitution for DNA processing, two… more