Press Releases and Articles
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
Applications for F&G Commission Community Challenge Grants are due by April 30
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission's Community Challenge Grant program is open for applications March 23 through April 30. Grants provide competitive funding for officially recognized nonprofit organizations to implement projects that are broadly supported by the local sporting community and enhance fish and wildlife… more
McGill Spur Access Site on Clearwater River Closed Until Further Notice
| idfg-jbruns
Due to extensive storm damage and unstable terrain, the McGill Spur Access Site, which provides public access to the Clearwater River west of Ahsahka, is closed until further notice. Recent torrential rains caused the creek adjacent to the site to flood out of its channel, carving a new flow path through the access… more
Anglers help Fish and Game monitor trophy rainbow trout fishery on Lake Pend Oreille
| idfg-tjross
Anglers on Lake Pend Oreille continue to play an important role in helping Idaho Fish and Game monitor the lake’s trophy rainbow trout fishery. Through the Lake Pend Oreille Angler Science Program, anglers voluntarily record details about their fishing trips and the trout they catch.
The data they collect … more
Annual Fish and Game fur auction to run online April 6-20
| idfg-bpearson
This year’s auction of furs, hides, antlers and other items will be run through Wears Auctioneering West. The online auction opens on April 6 and ends on April 20 at 3 p.m. (MDT). Buyers can preview photos of auction items on Wears Auctioneering West’s website. There will be no in-person viewing of items… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (3-17-2026)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for March 17, 2026. The data discussed in this report were primarily collected between Wednesday, March 11 and Sunday, March 15.
Most steelhead anglers began focusing their efforts closer to the Pahsimeroi and Sawtooth hatcheries last… more
Fish and Game reminds the public that winter ticks on moose are normal
| idfg-tjross
Idaho Fish and Game’s Panhandle Region has recently received several reports of moose that appear to have mange-like conditions or are exhibiting sickly behavior. In most cases, the cause is moose ticks, also known as winter ticks.
North Idaho angler hauls in new C&R state record cutthroat trout
| idfg-cliess
Idaho’s deepest lake — Lake Pend Oreille — no doubt possesses some aquatic beasts of mythical proportion. At a maximum depth of 1,158 feet and 43 miles from tip to glacially carved tip, that’s a lot of deep blue space for a monster fish to hide.
Imagine then the wave of hysteria after reeling in a 27-inch long… more
Fish and Game Commission to meet March 24-25 in Boise
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will hold the public hearing and business meeting at Idaho Fish and Game’s headquarters office at 600 South Walnut Street in Boise. A public hearing will begin on March 24 at 7 p.m. MDT at the same location. Those wishing to speak to the Commission during the public hearing will have… more
Volunteer groups needed for Edson Fichter Nature Area service days this spring, summer, and fall!
| idfg-jjackson
Edson Fichter Nature Area in Pocatello-- one of the community’s favorite places to visit for fishing, bike riding, dog walking, and wildlife watching-- is in need of volunteers to help with basic maintenance tasks to keep it beautiful, accessible, and safe for its visitors.
Idaho Fish and Game is encouraging… more
Mild winter means deer fawn and elk calf survival looks good as we enter spring
| idfg-cliess
Statewide winter survival for mule deer fawns and elk calves fitted with tracking collars has shown to be higher than average through the end of February.
“Right now (in mid-March) things are looking promising for both deer and elk,” Fish and Game’s Deer and Elk Coordinator Toby Boudreau said. “We’ll know for… more
White-nose syndrome confirmed in Idaho bats for first time
| idfg-rdixon
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has received laboratory confirmation from the US Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center that three bats collected in northern Idaho have tested positive for white-nose syndrome, the first cases of the disease in Idaho bats.
Fish and Game asks the public to avoid… more
Register now for upcoming hunter and wolf trapper education courses in the Salmon Region
| idfg-staff
Idaho Fish and Game is offering instructor-led hunter education courses and a wolf trapper certification course in the Salmon Region.
Instructor-led Hunter Education CoursesAnyone born after January 1, 1975, is required to successfully pass a hunter education class before they can purchase a hunting license and… more
Shed Hunt Responsibly: Just because snow has melted doesn’t mean winter is over for elk and deer
| idfg-cliess
On Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil — aka, the fuzzy little varmint that miraculously forecasts the winter-spring transition on Groundhog’s Day — indicated there would be six more weeks of winter this year, if you can really call the previous three months winter. The bigger takeaway from Mr. Phil though is an important… more
Calling all turkey hunters: Draw results are now available for spring turkey controlled hunts
| idfg-cliess
Spring turkey controlled hunt draw results are available now. The results have been posted through Fish and Game’s licensing system, GoOutdoorsIdaho.com.
Hunters can check their GoOutdoorsIdaho account to view their controlled hunt tags draw results for spring turkey. Email notifications will be sent to those… more
Salmon Region irrigators asked to contact Fish and Game before turning ditch water on this spring
| idfg-staff
To keep fish from getting stranded in irrigation ditches, irrigators who divert water from rivers and streams in the Salmon Region are asked to contact Idaho Fish and Game’s Anadromous Fish Screen Program at 208-756-6022 at least one week prior to turning their water on.
This will allow Fish and Game to get any… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (03-10-2026)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for March 10, 2026. The data discussed in this report were primarily collected between Wednesday, March 4 and Sunday, March 8. As a reminder to anglers, the early breakup of the Deadwater ice jam on February 10, along with the mild winter, has… more
2026 Anderson Ranch Reservoir kokanee outlook
| idfg-tucker.brauer
With winter coming to a close, many anglers are preparing for the start of spring fishing. In the Magic Valley Region, April and May traditionally mark the beginning of kokanee season, and anglers will once again turn their attention to Anderson Ranch Reservoir.
The 2026 kokanee fishery at Anderson Ranch… more