Press Releases and Articles
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
Coeur d’Alene man sentenced for unlawful take of three white-tailed deer and an elk in North Idaho
| idfg-tjross
After a lengthy investigation, a Coeur d’Alene man was sentenced on March 6 for the unlawful take of multiple big game animals in the Panhandle Region.
The man received the following sentence:
$6,750 in restitution plus various fines and court costs Up to 5 years in prison (suspended) 60 days in county jail… more
From River to Ocean: The Snake River Smolt Monitoring Program
| idfg-jbruns
Ever wondered what the large structure beneath the Lewiston–Clarkston Blue Bridge is? It’s a smolt trap, recently rebuilt and now fully operational to support long-term fish monitoring led by the Idaho Fish and Game.
IDFG and U.S. Forest Service Partner Through Good Neighbor Authority to Address Windstorm Damage in Lochsa River Campgrounds
| idfg-jbruns
Restoration efforts remain underway at the Wendover and Whitehouse Campgrounds along the upper Lochsa River and U.S. Highway 12 corridor following a series of large-scale wind events that caused significant damage to the area.
Wildlife Express: Learn about Idaho's wild canines
| idfg-sfocht
Idaho is home to four species of wild canine. These members of the dog family include wolves, coyotes, red foxes and kit foxes. Of course, Idaho is home to many domestic dogs (pets, hunting dogs, and working dogs) who all have their origins with one of Idaho's wild dog residents.
Wild canines have several… more
Get your early-season fishing fix at Hagerman WMA
| idfg-cliess
Idaho Fish and Game’s Hagerman Wildlife Management Area opened for fishing on March 1, and with it, about a dozen ponds and lakes regularly stocked with trout and family-friendly accommodations that include bathrooms, picnic tables, handicap accessible dock, fish-viewing pond and more.
Thanks to its mild “banana… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (03-03-2026)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for March 3, 2026. The data discussed in this report were primarily collected between Wednesday, February 25 and Sunday, March 1.
Last week was another good week of steelhead fishing across the entire Upper Salmon River. Angler effort was… more
Fish and Game to offer instructor-led hunter education classes in the Magic Valley during spring break
| idfg-talberti
Are you or someone in your family in need of a hunter education class? Anyone born after January 1, 1975, is required to successfully pass a hunter education class before they can purchase a hunting license and hunt in Idaho.
Idaho Fish and Game's Magic Valley Region will be offering three instructor-led… more