Press Releases and Articles
First sockeye of 2023 returned to Stanley area on July 26
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game staff on July 26 trapped the first sockeye of the 2023 run in the upper Salmon River near Stanley. Through July 26, there were 1,295 sockeye counted at Lower Granite Dam about 30 miles downstream from Lewiston, which is well above the 10-year average of 754 sockeye crossing the dam by that date… more
Sage-grouse and sandhill crane tags go on sale Aug. 1
| idfg-cliess
Sage-grouseSage-grouse tags are available for 12 hunting zones across southern parts of Idaho. A total of 2,958 tags will be offered. Sage-grouse season runs Sept. 16 through Oct. 31. Hunters can buy up to two tags and may buy a tag for more than one zone.
The sage-grouse tag system is designed to limit harvest… more
Kid’s Creek and Blue Mountain Meadow ponds stocked with Jack Chinook Salmon
| idfg-mdemick
Personnel from Idaho Fish and Game's Pahsimeroi Hatchery released approximately 37 jack Chinook Salmon in Kid’s Creek Pond and 47 jacks in Blue Mountain Meadow Pond Wednesday, July 26.
Big game hunters: check for hunt changes before buying your tags
| idfg-rphillips
Big game hunters are reminded to check for changes to the 2023 big game seasons that were adopted by the Commission in their March meeting. Due to harsh winters, and other population factors, changes were made to many hunts that could affect hunters expecting the same as last year.
Idaho Fish and Game… more
August trout stocking schedule for the Salmon Region
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Department of Fish and Game will stock over 20,390 catchable-sized (10 to 12-inch) rainbow trout at the following location in August.
August trout stocking schedule for the Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
August heat is a good time to plan a summer fishing adventure. Personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s hatcheries in the Clearwater Region will be releasing 1,050 catchable-sized trout at two locations this month!
Craig Mountain WMA Firewood Sale
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game is selling firewood permits for the harvest of dead and dying timber on the Craig Mountain WMA. The sale will begin July 25th and will end October 1st or in the event of a Stage 2 fire restriction. Areas open to harvest include Fish and Game owned land within 100ft of open roads. Some gates will be… more
Fish salvage order issued for Jensen Grove Pond in Blackfoot
| idfg-jjackson
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has issued a salvage order for the pond at Jensen Grove Park in Blackfoot, Idaho, effective July 24 through Oct. 30, 2023.
During the salvage order timeline at Jensen Grove Pond:
Fish may be taken by any method except use of firearms, explosives, chemicals, electric… more
Aug. 1 deadline to buy controlled hunt tags is fast approaching
| idfg-cliess
The deadline to purchase controlled hunt tags is Aug. 1 at 11:59 p.m. MDT.
It is the applicant's responsibility to see if they drew a controlled hunt tag and to buy it by this deadline. All controlled hunt tags (except unlimited and January hunts) that are not purchased by the Aug. 1 deadline will be… more
Youth Shotgun Skills Clinic planned in Salmon, Aug. 10-12
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game, Lemhi Rifle Range, and Bud Salsbury will host a Youth Shotgun Skills Clinic August 10-12 in Salmon.
Bud Salsbury is an avid upland bird hunter, champion dog handler, and student of Matt Dryke, an Olympic Gold medalist in sporting clays. This clinic will help youth… more
F&G Commission meeting July 26-27 in Coeur d’Alene
| idfg-cliess
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will hold the public hearing and business meeting at Idaho Fish and Game’s Panhandle regional office at 2885 West Kathleen Avenue in Coeur d'Alene.
A public hearing will begin on July 26 at 7 p.m. PDT at the same location. Those wishing to speak to the Commission during… more
Kokanee fishing heating up on Dworshak Reservoir
| idfg-efelts
Kokanee fishing is picking up on Dworshak Reservoir. In 2022 the population abundance was so high that Kokanee were very small, measuring just 7.5 inches on average during July surveys. These smaller fish were difficult to catch and didn’t yield much of a filet for those anglers who could get them to bite. Although… more
VIDEO: NASA and BSU use new technology to monitor how water and vegetation improve in areas where beavers are reintroduced
| idfg-cliess
Correction: An earlier version of this story did not correctly describe Idaho Fish and Game’s role in the project. Below is an updated version.
Upper Salmon River Chinook Fishery Update - 7/18/2023
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone,
Before getting into the fishery estimates from last week, I’d like to give everyone a heads up about the changes that are being made to the fishery between now and Sunday. First, the section of the Upper Salmon River between the East Fork Salmon River and the Valley Creek confluence will close… more
Chinook Salmon Fishery Update (7/18/2023) Clearwater River Return, Rapid River Run, Hells Canyon, and Lochsa River Fisheries
| idfg-jdupont
Hi everybody.
This will be my last update for spring and summer Chinook Salmon fisheries in the Clearwater Region (7/18/2023). Based on harvest, broodstock collection, and changes in fisheries management, all open fisheries will remain open until the end of fishing hours on August 10, 2023. Because this is my… more
Balancing fish and pelican conservation
| idfg-jkozfkay
For birds that make their living eating fish, the 1960s and 1970s were a hard time. Bioaccumulation of pesticides in and from their primary prey, weakened eggs and led to widespread hatch failure. Bird populations crashed, causing widespread concern. Fast forward 50 plus years, and many of these bird species have… more
2023 Williams Lake Fishery Study, Part 1
| idfg-bkelly
About 12 miles south of Salmon, Williams Lake sits nestled in the mountains above the Salmon River at an elevation around 5,400 feet. This 180-acre lake has long been a favorite retreat for many anglers that enjoyed the Rainbow Trout fishing and fine scenery. In recent years, there has been some concern about the… more
F&G to close separate portions of the Upper Salmon River for Chinook fishing
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game officials will close Chinook fishing on separate portions of the Upper Salmon River. The Upper Salmon River Chinook fishery — between the East Fork of the Salmon River and the posted boundary below the Sawtooth Hatchery weir — has been open since June 22.
The section upstream from the East… more