Press Releases and Articles
Poaching Incident at Orofino Elementary School Results in Conviction
| idfg-jbruns
During the late evening hours of November 26, 2024, security cameras at Orofino Elementary School captured a blue Ford pickup truck entering the bus loading zone, where an individual shot a white-tailed buck standing on the school lawn. The vehicle left the area and was later seen on multiple residential and business… more
Saint Maries man sentenced for unlawful take of seven white-tailed deer in North Idaho
| idfg-tjross
On Feb. 18, a St. Maries man was sentenced for the unlawful take of seven mature white-tailed deer bucks. The second man involved in the case is scheduled for sentencing soon.
The first man received the following sentence:
$17,200 in restitution $525 in meat processing fees All associated court costs for… more
Early stocking of trout in Fernan and Cocolalla lakes in the Panhandle Region
| idfg-tjross
Fernan Lake and Cocolalla Lake in North Idaho have received their first batch of catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) rainbow trout for the year. Fernan was stocked with 6,000 fish and Cocolalla received 6,900.
Burbot — the Kootenai River leopard — is the perfect way to cure cabin fever
| idfg-cliess
Burbot fishing on the Kootenai River is most productive during the winter months as burbot prepare to spawn in February and March. Unlike the summer months when burbot often hunker down in deep pools or in Kootenay Lake in British Columbia, this time of year they can often be found in shallower water or in tributaries… more
Bighorn sheep monitoring underway along Snake and Salmon Rivers
| idfg-jbruns
Residents and recreationists may notice low-flying helicopters over portions of the Snake and Salmon rivers from Feb. 19-24. Fish and Game will be conducting bighorn sheep capture operations in Units 11, 13, 14, and 19.
The purpose of this effort is to safely capture and radio-collar bighorn sheep to monitor… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (02-18-2026)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for February 18, 2026. The data discussed in this report were collected between Wednesday, February 11 and Sunday, February 15.
As many of you know, this winter has been a mild one. River temperatures in Salmon, ID did not drop to 32°F for the… more
Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee to meet Feb. 17
| idfg-jjackson
Members of the Southeast Region Winter Feeding Advisory Committee (WFAC) will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 6:00 p.m. to assist Idaho Fish and Game with the assessment of winter conditions and observations related to big game animals (movements, depredations, activity on roadways, body conditions, mortalities) in the… more
Mule deer lethally removed from captive elk facility will be donated to local food banks
| idfg-jbrower
Over the past few months, Idaho Fish and Game has removed 82 wild mule deer from inside a high-fenced captive elk facility in Game Management Unit 60A.
During the 2025 hunting season, hunters on adjacent lands reported seeing numerous wild mule deer inside the facility. It appears these animals gained… more
F&G officers investigating three separate incidents of deer being shot, left to waste in southwest Idaho
| idfg-bpearson
Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers are seeking the public’s help in gathering information related to three separate incidents of mule deer being shot and left to waste in southwest Idaho.
Closed-season mule deer buck at Arrowrock Reservoir
A 2x3 mule deer buck that was shot out of season,… more
Now Open: Provide comments on spring/summer Chinook fishing season proposals
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game will be setting new seasons for upcoming spring and summer Chinook fisheries and is now gathering public input on season proposals from Feb. 11 to Feb. 22.
Members of the public can view and weigh in with online comments Feb. 11-22. After reviewing anglers’ feedback and agency goals along… more
Fish and Game, Canyon County Parks seeking a volunteer camp host at Martin Landing
| idfg-bpearson
The following is a press release from Canyon County Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources
Canyon County Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources (CCPCNR) and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game are seeking a volunteer camp host to oversee camping, public outdoor recreation, and perform basic maintenance at… more
River otter trapping closes for the season in the Southwest Region
| idfg-bpearson
The river otter harvest quota for Idaho’s Southwest Region was reached on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. As a result, the otter season for the Southwest Region closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.
Trappers will be allowed to keep otters trapped prior to 11:59 p.m. on February 13, 2026, provided their… more
Deadwater ice jam in Salmon Region is out
| idfg-bbeller
The Deadwater ice jam on the Upper Salmon River had opened by the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 10. Anglers can expect the river to remain muddy in the areas below Deadwater for a day or two before conditions improve. Weather conditions may also impact river visibility, and with the ice jam opening so early this year, there… more
River otter trapping season closed in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-cliess
The river otter harvest quota for Idaho’s Magic Valley Region was reached on Monday, Feb. 9. 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 entire region closes at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12.
… more
12,750 acres removed from Large Tracts Program after additional sale between Stimson Lumber Company and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe
| idfg-tjross
During 2024 and 2025, nearly 30,000 acres of private land enrolled in the Large Tracts Program were sold by Stimson Lumber Company to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Recently, an additional 12,750 acres owned by Stimson were sold to the Tribe. The land is located on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation and has always been… more
Portion of Sterling Wildlife Management Area in southeastern Idaho will be closed for upcoming prescribed burn
| idfg-jjackson
Idaho Fish and Game's Southeast Region is working with the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation to implement prescribed burns across a portion of the Sterling Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located in southeastern Idaho north of Aberdeen.
… more
Homeowners and recreationists: Be vigilant during coyote mating and denning seasons
| idfg-bpearson
With February comes the coyote breeding season, which can mean an increase in conflicts between coyotes and domestic dogs in the Boise area. With that in mind, Fish and Game biologists are reminding residents and recreationists around the Boise Foothills and elsewhere to take additional precautions with their pets to… more
Temporary road closure at Sand Creek Ponds/Campground
| idfg-jbrower
Effective immediately, Fish and Game is temporarily closing the entrance road into the Sand Creek ponds and campground area due to muddy conditions. Melting ice and snow have made the roads unstable and vehicle travel difficult without causing long-lasting and damaging effects.
This closure is meant to… more