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Idaho Fish and Game

Press Releases and Articles

Check out Fish and Game’s new 24/7 osprey webcam in Salmon

| idfg-cliess

Love ospreys, the Salmon River mountains, and mindlessly watching YouTube videos at work? Our folks in the Salmon Region have just the thing for you.

Launched in April 2026, Idaho Fish and Game’s newest live webcam gives you a bird’s-eye look at ospreys as they go about their day. We’ve all come across various… more

Learn about Idaho's frogs and toads in this month's edition of Wildlife Express

| idfg-sfocht

What is the difference between frogs and toads? A common question and one you can find the answer to in the latest edition of Wildlife Express. What else can you find in this gorgeous, green issue? You will learn:

How frogs and toads survive Idaho's cold winters How they can breathe in three different ways How… more

The opportunity to fish for some of the state’s biggest bass is now

| idfg-cliess

During spring, the local weatherman stands before a green screen, strategically circling portions of the state with high and low pressure systems. Predicting spring weather in Idaho can be all over the map. While it might be weeks before most anglers wait for those warm, sunny days to pack coolers and slather on… more

8,600 acres in North Idaho removed from Large Tracts Program by private landowners following repeated unauthorized use and rule violations

| idfg-tjross

Manulife Investment Management recently removed nearly 8,600 acres of land from the Large Tracts Program in Unit 5 near Emida due to persistent violations and damage to property. The acreage has been divided into two parcels that will be leased for exclusive access.

Managing public use of these parcels… more

Bringing fishers home to the Panhandle Region

| idfg-tjross

Idaho Fish and Game — in cooperation with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and Idaho Trappers Association — completed the first year of a project to move fishers, a member of the weasel family related to wolverine and marten, from the Clearwater Region to Panhandle Region. 

Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (3-31-2026)

| idfg-bbeller

Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for March 31, 2026. The data discussed in this report were primarily collected between Wednesday, March 25 and Sunday, March 29. 

Steelhead angler effort was almost exclusively observed upstream of the East Fork in location code 19 last… more

Hunter and bowhunter education combination course offered in Buhl

| idfg-talberti

An instructor-led hunter and bowhunter combination course will be held the week of April 20 at the Buhl Church of Nazarene.       

This interactive course will certify students in both hunter and bowhunter education and is designed for youth 9 years of age or anyone new to hunting. … more

Walleye fishery update in the Magic Valley Region

| idfg-braden.lensing

The Magic Valley Region is home to two of the state’s three managed walleye fisheries: Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir and Oakley Reservoir. In October 2025, a Fall Walleye Index Netting (FWIN) survey was conducted on Oakley Reservoir to better understand the fishery and guide management decisions. During this survey, 68… more

Hawkins Point access site on Lake Pend Oreille to close for improvements beginning April 1

| idfg-tjross

Idaho Fish and Game will temporarily close the Hawkins Point access site on Lake Pend Oreille near the Pack River Delta beginning April 1. The site is expected to reopen before the end of the month.

The closure will allow Fish and Game to replace the upper half of the existing boat ramp, which is aging and in… more

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.