Fishing Seasons and Rules Press Releases and Blogs

Idaho, Utah wildlife agencies to conduct lake trout research project on Bear Lake

Monday, April 26, 2021 - 3:50 PM MDT

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game in cooperation with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will be taking a close look at the 20-year-old lake trout stocking program in Bear Lake.  And, in conjunction, Fish and Game will be transferring 400 sterile lake trout from Bear Lake to Stanley Lake in Idaho. 

Hatchery highlights for April: Notable fish stockings around the state

Monday, March 29, 2021 - 3:10 PM MDT

Spring is here, and hatchery staff have ramped up fish stocking around the state, with trout bound for water bodies in each of Fish and Game's seven regions. About 213,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout will be stocked throughout Idaho during April, more than three times as many as they stocked in March.

Anglers can help shape 2022-24 fishing seasons by proposing changes

Wednesday, March 24, 2021 - 4:16 PM MDT

Idaho Fish and Game engaged in trout monitoring effort in the Snake River

Monday, March 22, 2021 - 4:23 PM MDT

Fish and Game biologists wish to understand whether current regulations are working relative to angler interactions in the Snake River between American Falls Reservoir and Gem Lake.  Carson Watkins, Regional Fisheries Manager says, “This stretch of the Snake River has become increasingly popular with anglers in recent years, and yet few surveys had been conducted here up to this point.”

F&G Commission sets 2021 spring season for Chinook salmon

Monday, March 22, 2021 - 2:12 PM MDT

Spring steelhead anglers: Remember reduced steelhead bag limits

Tuesday, February 16, 2021 - 4:26 PM MST

Daily bag limits for the 2021 spring season are two daily and six in possession statewide.

Anglers needed to collect steelhead broodstock on the South Fork Clearwater River

Monday, February 8, 2021 - 10:23 AM MST

Once again, Idaho Fish and Game is asking anglers to catch adult steelhead from the South Fork Clearwater River that will be used for hatchery spawners. Through early April, Fish and Game staff will be on the river from dawn to dusk, seven days a week, distributing tubes at popular fishing holes and signing up anglers interested in participating in the program.

Fish and Game Commission approves Clearwater Coho season and shooting hours for Upland Game Bird Permit areas

Tuesday, September 15, 2020 - 12:33 PM MDT

10 reasons to keep fishing (or learn to fish) during late summer

Friday, August 7, 2020 - 3:07 PM MDT

Late summer can be an odd season for anglers because sometimes it feels like fishing season is winding down, but in many parts of Idaho, summer-like weather lasts through September and into October. That means lots of time remains for great fishing. 

F&G commission approves 2020 fall Chinook salmon season

Monday, July 27, 2020 - 1:12 PM MDT

Free Fishing Day is June 13, and here's what you need to know for a fun day of fishing

Monday, June 1, 2020 - 12:03 PM MDT

Free Fishing Day is an Idaho tradition that usually includes Fish and Game employees and volunteers bringing fishing gear to various fishing spots and loaning rods, reels and tackle and helping people learn to fish. While that’s not an option because of COVID-19, it's still a great opportunity for novice anglers to experience some of the wonderful fishing opportunities Idaho has to offer.

Rainbow trout are wrapping up their spawning season

Tuesday, May 19, 2020 - 3:40 PM MDT

The fish await, but facilities may be limited for Memorial Day weekend

Wednesday, May 13, 2020 - 4:29 PM MDT

Anglers can buy a ready-to-use fishing license with their smartphones

Tuesday, May 12, 2020 - 3:13 PM MDT

If you have a smartphone and internet access, you can buy and download an fishing license and be ready to fish. If you already have an account on Fish and Game’s licensing system, you can visit https://idfg.huntfishidaho.net and login using your user name and the password associated with your account. If you haven't, you can follow these steps to buy a license. 

Southern Idaho waters closed to fishing by regulation on April 1 to protect spawning rainbow trout

Monday, March 30, 2020 - 12:52 PM MDT

Sections of three Southern Idaho rivers will be closed to fishing from April 1 through the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. None of the closures are due to Covid-19 concerns. They are regular annual closures in place to protect spawning rainbow trout.

Attention anglers: Delays expected in "Tag, You're It" reward processsing, but please continue to report tags

Thursday, March 26, 2020 - 6:29 PM MDT

F&G commission approves 2020 spring Chinook salmon season

Monday, March 23, 2020 - 10:31 AM MDT

The Fish and Game Commission recently approved spring Chinook fishing on the Clearwater, Snake, Salmon and Little Salmon rivers to start April 25 and run until closed by the Fish and Game director. Full rules will soon be available on Fish and Game’s website. Printed rules will be available prior to the season opener.

F&G Commission drops steelhead size restriction from Clearwater basin and portion of Snake River

Thursday, March 12, 2020 - 10:24 AM MDT

Trout spawning wraps up at Henrys Lake

Friday, February 28, 2020 - 4:59 PM MST

Over nine spawning dates in February, 2.8 million Yellowstone cutthroat trout eggs and 770,000 sterile hybrid trout eggs were generated.

Provide input on upcoming Chinook salmon seasons at six public meetings Feb. 18–26

Friday, January 24, 2020 - 3:05 PM MST

Don’t miss this opportunity to attend one of six public meetings to provide comments and opinions on how best to manage the 2020 Chinook salmon seasons in the Clearwater, Hells Canyon, lower Salmon, Little Salmon and South Fork Salmon rivers. Meetings will be held in Riggins, Orofino, Lewiston, Coeur d'Alene, Nampa and Cascade. You can also comment online.