Press Releases and Articles
What will steelhead fishing look like on the Boise River this fall?
| idfg-cliess
With the 2026 fall steelhead return shaping up to be one of the lowest returns on record, this fall’s outlook has not been promising. In mid-September, Fish and Game reduced statewide steelhead bag limits as a conservation measure to reduce impacts to natural-origin spawners and ensure hatchery broodstock objectives… more
IDFG seeks public comment on proposed rules for electronic tagging, CWD management
| idfg-scassinelli
Idaho Fish and Game is accepting public comment on proposed rules that would explore expanding electronic tagging to certain game birds and allow the department to manage Chronic Wasting Disease zones by individual game management unit. The comment period runs through Oct. 28.
Department staff… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (10-14-2026)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the first weekly Upper Salmon River (USR) steelhead fishing report for the fall 2026 season.
IDFG began interviewing steelhead anglers along the Upper Salmon River last Thursday, October 8. Angler effort was low throughout the week, with most anglers observed in river location code 15… more
Helicopter herbicide treatments and seeding to begin Oct. 25 in portion of Unit 76
| idfg-tatwood
Low-level helicopter flights will apply herbicide and seed to designated areas near Mahogany Ridge and Bear Lake in Game Management Unit 76 starting Oct. 25 through Oct. 31, weather and wind conditions permitting.
The Bureau of Land Management, in partnership with Idaho Fish and Game, will reseed private and… more
Upcoming trapper and wolf trapper education courses in Salmon
| idfg-tschrempp
Interested in trapping? Trapper and wolf trapper education courses will be held in Salmon this November. Register now to reserve your spot.
Not sure which courses you need? Idaho Fish and Game has got the answers to your questions.
Trapper Education Course
Trapper education covers… more
Hunters must sign up in advance for Winchester Lake waterfowl hunting
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game and Winchester Lake State Park are offering another year of limited waterfowl hunting at Winchester Lake. The opportunity provides additional waterfowl hunting access in the Clearwater Region while limiting the number of hunters and designating specific locations for hunting.
Hunters must… more
How has the Big Grass Fire affected mule deer and elk?
| idfg-rcurtis
The Big Grass Fire started from a lightning strike on July 23, 2026 and burned 578,637 acres in Idaho and Oregon. The fire affected an enormous area, and recovery will take time and effort to restore valuable wildlife habitat. While these efforts are ongoing, hunters can explore alternative places to hunt deer and elk… more
UPDATE: Low-level aerial spraying flights to continue in late October to complete project in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Those looking to recreate in the South Hills, Soldier, and Smoky Mountains may see a low-flying helicopter applying pre-emergent herbicide to hillsides in game management units 43, 44, 48, and 54. The flights are a continuation of the the spraying project that occurred in September.
The remaining aerial… more
New In 2026: Pheasant season opens Oct. 15 statewide
| idfg-cliess
Pheasant hunters, listen up. New this year, pheasant hunting season for residents will open on Oct. 15, statewide. So, whether you call north Idaho or south Idaho home, this year’s season opener will be the same across the board. Additionally, the pheasant season for nonresidents opens Oct. 20.
Also new this… more
Lake Cascade angler sets new catch-and-release state record for bullhead catfish
| idfg-mkoenig
Josh Delong of Idaho made a little fishing history Sept. 5 when he landed a 17-inch bullhead catfish at Lake Cascade, establishing a new Idaho catch-and-release state record for the species.
Delong’s fish narrowly edged out the previous record of 16.25 inches, caught by Chris Webber in June 2025. That means the… more
Life, Death, and Data: The story of a salmon run in the Middle Fork Salmon River basin
| idfg-Maddie.Myers
After spending years growing in the Pacific Ocean, Chinook salmon return to the very streams where they began their lives. Their journey takes them hundreds of miles inland, through multiple dams, strong currents, and countless obstacles before reaching the cold mountain streams of central Idaho.
Each fall,… more
Volunteer opportunities for upcoming sagebrush and bitterbrush plantings in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Idaho Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region, in partnership with the Sawtooth National Forest Service, Rinker Rock Creek Ranch and the Wood River Valley Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation, is seeking volunteers to help plant sagebrush and bitterbrush seedlings in several areas throughout the region. These projects will… more
Hunters: Remember to allow up to 10 business days delivery time when ordering tags online
| idfg-cliess
Ordering online is a convenient way to buy your hunting/fishing licenses and permits, but sportsmen and women, remember to allow enough time for your products to be mailed before you head out this fall.
Fish and Game recommends allowing 10 business days for hunting tags to arrive. (Note: The items are… more
Two Salmon residents attacked by a juvenile black bear on Oct. 2
| idfg-tschrempp
A sow and two juvenile black bears are dead after two Salmon residents were attacked at their home in the Sunset Heights subdivision in the early morning hours on Oct. 2.
Around 3:30 a.m., the victims reported one of the juvenile bears tried to enter the back door of their home. They tackled and wrestled the… more
10 survival tips to keep in the back pocket this big game hunting season
| idfg-cliess
Every hunting season, hunters get lost in the woods, and while most escape no worse than tired, chilled, and hungry, the hazards of being lost in Idaho's woods shouldn't be underestimated.
Hunters can take precautions and prepare for unexpected situations in the woods with these simple reminders.
Know… more
Hunters will see something new in the air this fall at Sterling WMA in southeast Idaho
| idfg-jjackson
Pheasant stocking efforts will be happening on some wildlife management areas (WMAs) and other properties throughout the state during pheasant season this fall. This year, however, things will look a little different at the Sterling WMA in southeast Idaho. That’s because Idaho Fish and Game Southeast Region… more
October trout stocking schedule for the Southeast Region
| idfg-jjackson
Personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s hatcheries in the Southeast Region will be releasing over 80,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at various locations during October! This is no trick… it is all treat!!
Southwest Region rainbow trout stocking schedule - October
| idfg-cliess
Fish and Game staff will be stocking nearly 26,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout throughout the Southwest Region in October.
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… more