Press Releases and Articles
Bringing fishers home to the Panhandle Region
| idfg-tjross
Idaho Fish and Game — in cooperation with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and Idaho Trappers Association — completed the first year of a project to move fishers, a member of the weasel family related to wolverine and marten, from the Clearwater Region to Panhandle Region.
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (3-31-2026)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for March 31, 2026. The data discussed in this report were primarily collected between Wednesday, March 25 and Sunday, March 29.
Steelhead angler effort was almost exclusively observed upstream of the East Fork in location code 19 last… more
Hunter and bowhunter education combination course offered in Buhl
| idfg-talberti
An instructor-led hunter and bowhunter combination course will be held the week of April 20 at the Buhl Church of Nazarene.
This interactive course will certify students in both hunter and bowhunter education and is designed for youth 9 years of age or anyone new to hunting. … more
Walleye fishery update in the Magic Valley Region
| idfg-braden.lensing
The Magic Valley Region is home to two of the state’s three managed walleye fisheries: Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir and Oakley Reservoir. In October 2025, a Fall Walleye Index Netting (FWIN) survey was conducted on Oakley Reservoir to better understand the fishery and guide management decisions. During this survey, 68… more
Hawkins Point access site on Lake Pend Oreille to close for improvements beginning April 1
| idfg-tjross
Idaho Fish and Game will temporarily close the Hawkins Point access site on Lake Pend Oreille near the Pack River Delta beginning April 1. The site is expected to reopen before the end of the month.
The closure will allow Fish and Game to replace the upper half of the existing boat ramp, which is aging and in… more
Moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat controlled hunt application period opens April 1
| idfg-cliess
The application period for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat controlled hunts opens April 1 and runs through April 30. Hunters can apply online, at any Fish and Game office, license vendor, or by calling 1 (800) 554-8685.
Apply online at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com.
Resident and nonresident can apply for… more
Prescribed burn occurring at Market Lake to improve waterfowl habitat
| idfg-jbrower
Idaho Fish and Game Upper Snake Region is working with the Bureau of Land Management to implement prescribed burns across a large portion of the Market Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located in eastern Idaho, north of Roberts. The prescribed burn is expected to take place between March 31 and April 1, but is… more
Important dates to help plan your April
| idfg-cliess
From tags sales to general season openers, there’s a lot happening in Idaho during April that you should be aware of. Staying in the loop can be the difference between applying for that coveted controlled hunt tag and watching from the sidelines.
Be sure to stay up to date on all Fish and Game happenings.… more
Statewide trout stocking highlights for April 2026
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 214,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this April. 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
Spring Chinook fishing set to open April 25
| idfg-rphillips
Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved spring Chinook seasons to open on April 25 in the Snake River, Lower Salmon River, Little Salmon River, Mainstem Clearwater River, Middle Fork Clearwater River, North Fork Clearwater River, South Fork Clearwater River, and Lochsa River.
Bag limits and days per week… more
Southwest Region rainbow trout stocking schedule - April
| idfg-bpearson
Fish and Game staff will be stocking nearly 68,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout throughout the Southwest Region in April.
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 weather… more
Over 25,000 catchable rainbow trout headed for lakes in the Panhandle Region in April
| idfg-tjross
Warm weather is here and so are the rainbow trout! Over 25,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) rainbow trout will be stocked in the Panhandle Region in April.
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns); dates may change due to weather or… more
ICYMI: Idaho Fish and Game Commission Meeting March 25
| idfg-cliess
Topics covered include spring Chinook salmon seasons; Unit 40 bighorn sheep season modification; 5-day waiting period to buy capped elk zone tags; and more.
Reminder: Turn in Kootenai River Angler Science Program packets by April 1 for a chance to win prizes
| idfg-tjross
If you participated in the 2026 Kootenai River Angler Science Program, thank you for contributing your time and information. The data you collected plays an important role in helping Idaho Fish and Game monitor and manage the burbot fishery in the Kootenai River.
Here’s what Southwest Idaho hunters need to know before spring turkey, bear hunts kick off in April
| idfg-bpearson
April is just around the corner, which means two of Idaho’s popular spring hunting opportunities are, too. Whether you’re chasing beards or bears, there’s plenty of reason for optimism if you’re hunting in the Southwest Region, but there are also a couple of changes you need to know about before heading out into the… more
Big game scoring day to be held in Idaho Falls
| idfg-gsteel
Ever wonder how that big buck you shot last year would score in the record books? Well, April is your chance to get big game antlers, horns or skulls measured and scored by official Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young scorers.
Idaho Fish and Game is hosting a free scoring event on April 6 at… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (3-24-2026)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for March 24, 2026. The data discussed in this report were primarily collected between Wednesday, March 18 and Sunday, March 22.
Steelhead angler effort continued to consolidate towards the Pahsimeroi and Sawtooth fish hatcheries last… more
Idaho Fish and Game investigating fish loss at Kiwanis Park Pond in Lewiston
| idfg-jthiessen
Idaho Fish and Game is currently investigating a fish loss event at Kiwanis Park Pond in Lewiston, where approximately 150 of the 900 recently stocked fish were found dead two days following release.
Despite the loss, fishing conditions at the pond remain favorable. Anglers on site have reported high catch rates… more