Press Releases and Articles
Idaho Fish and Game investigating illegal killing and waste of bull elk in Bingham County
| idfg-jjackson
Idaho Fish and Game is seeking information regarding the illegal killing and waste of a bull elk in southeast Idaho.
The dead bull was discovered by a member of the public on Sellars Creek Road between Blackfoot Reservoir Road and Long Valley Road in Bingham County. The elk was shot from the road multiple… more
IDFG modifies fall Chinook and steelhead bag limits
| idfg-cliess
Effective at the end of fishing hours on Sept. 17, Idaho Fish and Game will modify bag limits for both fall Chinook and steelhead fishing.
“The bag limit modification for fall Chinook is necessary because the return of natural-origin fish is lower than the preseason forecast, and the fishery is approaching the… more
2026 Idaho Steelhead Update
| idfg-jthiessen
If you’re a steelhead angler you’ve probably been hearing rumors or seen news articles stating that this year’s steelhead return is in rough shape. Unfortunately, those reports are correct. The 2026 steelhead return is shaping up to be one of the lowest on record. As a result, IDFG will be reducing steelhead bag limits… more
Citizens Shooting Range Advisory Committee seeks Clearwater Region representative
| idfg-scassinelli
Idaho Fish and Game's Citizens Shooting Range Advisory Committee is seeking a volunteer representative from the Clearwater Region to help guide shooting range decisions and provide input on annual public shooting range grant applications.
Eligible candidates should regularly use public… more
North Idaho Bear Fair returns Sept. 26 with free bear spray, electric fence demos and cider pressing
| idfg-tjross
If you live in north Idaho, you live in bear country. Plain and simple.
Black bears range across the entire Panhandle, and Bonner and Boundary counties sit squarely in grizzly country. Fall is the hardest season to share with them, as bears are packing on calories ahead of winter. Oftentimes, apple trees,… more
Waterfowl season for youth and veterans/active military personnel runs the weekend of Sept. 26-27
| idfg-cliess
Duck and goose hunting is among the coolest ways to introduce a youngster to the excitement of hunting. There's usually plenty of birds in the sky and the opportunity for a novice to experience the blinds, the decoys, and the dogs — all under the supervision and guidance of an adult.
But, you don’t just have to… more
Fish salvage order issued for two southeast Idaho reservoirs
| idfg-jjackson
Idaho Fish and Game has issued a salvage order for two southeast Idaho water bodies: Lamont and Johnson Reservoirs in Franklin County. This salvage order is effective from Sept. 8 through Dec. 31, 2026.
During the salvage order timeline at Lamont and Johnson Reservoirs:
Fish may be taken by any method… more
Drought and natural food scarcity push bears into places they don’t normally go
| idfg-cliess
For most Idahoans, seeing a bear in the wild is an exciting reminder that we live in a state rich with wild charm. But seeing one up in a tree in a Nampa neighborhood, roaming a Pocatello backyard, or searching for food around homes in the Wood River Valley is a much different story.
Black bears are generally… more
Salmon Region helicopter flights treating invasive cheatgrass and noxious weeds begin Sept. 14
| idfg-tschrempp
The Salmon-Challis National Forest, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and Idaho Fish and Game, is leading the charge to prevent invasive plants from becoming established after the Hayden Fire burned over 24,000 acres of important deer and elk habitat in 2023. Treatments will help combat the spread of… more
Register now for upcoming instructor-led hunter education class in Rupert
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
For those looking to hunt in Idaho this fall and still needing their hunter education certification, the Magic Valley Region will be offering an instructor-led hunter education class in Rupert coming up in October.
Instructor-led Hunter Education CoursesAnyone born after January 1, 1975, is required to… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for September 2026 in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 33,050 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in September. The stocking date and numbers of fish are approximate.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns);… more
IDFG continues working with landowners to reduce big game depredations in the Magic Valley
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Idaho Fish and Game staff in the Magic Valley Region continue to work with landowners to reduce big game depredation on agricultural crops as the growing season progresses.
Consistent use of prevention measures has helped reduce or prevent chronic depredation in some areas of the region. However, new and ongoing… more
2026 Upland Game Bird Forecast
| idfg-cliess
Co-authored by Upland Game and Migratory Gamebird Coordinator Jeff Knetter & Public Information Specialist Connor Jay Liess
Idaho, with one of the most rugged landscapes in the union, offers a ton of upland game bird hunting opportunities. Whether you find yourself in the high-mountain timber or the lowland-… more
New access easement opens route to public lands in Kelsaw Canyon
| idfg-Kenzie.Baratti
Hunters and recreationists will now have access into Kelsaw Canyon in Unit 57 this fall thanks to a partnership between Arimo Corporation, the U.S. Forest Service, and Idaho Fish and Game.
The access provides a route into public lands in Kelsaw Canyon. However, hunters and other recreationists are reminded that… more
Rainbow trout stocking schedule for September 2026 in the Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
Fish and Game staff will be stocking over 6,500 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout at the following locations across the Clearwater Region in September!
September fish stocking schedule for the Upper Snake Region
| idfg-jbrower
Stocking Logo for the Upper Snake
IDFG removes young black bear from a Pocatello neighborhood
| idfg-jjackson
On the morning of Aug. 31, Idaho Fish and Game received a report of a young black bear in the backyard of a residence in a south valley neighborhood of Pocatello. David Dressel and Jon Dixon, both regional wildlife biologists with Fish and Game, responded to find a young bear climbing a fence and foraging on berries.… more
Statewide trout stocking highlights for September 2026
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 110,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this September. Wondering if the stocking trucks are going to be backing up to your favorite fishing hole? We asked our Fish and Game hatchery staff to boil down some of the most… more