Press Release

August 2018

Walleye Discovered in Lake Cascade

By Evin Oneale, Regional Communications Manager
Friday, August 24, 2018 - 12:47 PM MDT

An angler fishing for smallmouth bass and perch on Lake Cascade near Crown Point earlier this week instead reeled in an adult walleye, measuring more than 19 inches in length. Fish and Game regional fisheries manager Dale Allen positively identified the fish on Wednesday, August 22.

The fish was illegally stocked in the reservoir and is the first-ever confirmed report of a walleye in Lake Cascade. Because of the illegal stocking and the threat walleye pose to Cascade’s and other downstream fisheries, Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) is offering a cash reward for information regarding this criminal case. Call the CAP hotline anytime at 1-800-632-5999.

Idaho has just a few walleye fisheries, all established by Fish and Game, and all in isolated reservoirs. Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir in south central Idaho is one example; no outlets from the reservoir exist that might allow walleye to escape to other waters. It is because of their potential threat to existing fisheries that walleye have not been more widely stocked in other Idaho waters.

Catfish surprise at Horseshoe Bend Pond [Video]

By Vicky Osborn, Television/Radio Specialist
Friday, August 24, 2018 - 12:07 PM MDT

Tammy Thomas went fishing at Horseshoe Bend Pond with the hopes of catching a bluegill or bass. Little did she expect a very large catfish to end up on her line, let alone have a Fish and Game conservation officer witness and film her reeling it in.

While on a recent patrol at Horseshoe Bend Pond. Craig Mickelson was able to record footage of Tammy Thomas as she masterfully (and excitedly) fought and landed a large channel catfish. We think you’ll enjoy the video.

 

 

The catfish was likely one of those captured in the Snake River and transferred to the pond by fisheries staff in recent years to enhance fishing opportunities. A list of ponds included in this program may be found by searching the historical stocking database on Fish and Game's website.

For Officer Mickelson, witnessing a happy angler catch a fish of a lifetime is one of the rewards of a job that is often more stressful.

 

 

 

F&G Commission approves agreement to continue recreation access on state endowment lands

By Roger Phillips, Public Information Supervisor
Thursday, August 23, 2018 - 4:33 PM MDT

Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Aug. 23 approved a memorandum of agreement with the Idaho Department of Lands to continue public access for hunting, fish, trapping and other recreation on about 2.3 million acres of state endowment lands. 

F&G traps and relocates North Idaho grizzly spotted on private lands

By Roger Phillips, Public Information Supervisor
Thursday, August 23, 2018 - 2:54 PM MDT

Idaho Fish and Game recently trapped and released a sub-adult grizzly bear that was spotted several times in North Idaho. F&G conservation officers hauled a trap to a location near where the bear was spotted digging up and eating a goat that had been buried on private property near Chilco. 

Officers caught the bear in a culvert trap baited with a portion of the goat. The bear was then   transported to McArthur Lake WMA where it was fitted with a transmitter collar. Biologists also took DNA samples, then transported the bear to a remote area of the Cabinet Mountains near the Montana border.  

After release, the bear had moved down toward the eastern end of the Kootenai Valley, and biologists are monitoring it and preparing to trap it if it appears likely it will get back into trouble. 

Fish and Game officials became of aware of the bear on Aug. 11, after a citizen reported it chasing sheep near Garwood. It was also photographed raiding a chicken coop about five mile north of where it was earlier reported, and officials assumed it was the same bear. Other citizens later reported a bear getting into their chicken coops. 

Because grizzly bears in North Idaho are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act, there are specific guidelines to follow when a bear is captured and released. 

Attend the Hunt and Fish Idaho Expo Aug. 24-25 in Lewiston

By Jennifer Bruns, Regional Communications Manager
Thursday, August 16, 2018 - 2:54 PM MDT

Dust off your firearm and come ready to expand your hunting and fishing knowledge! Idaho Fish and Game is hosting the Hunt and Fish Idaho Expo on Friday, August 24th from 2pm-7pm at the Lewis-Clark Wildlife Club Shooting Range at 27007 Tom Beale Road near Lapwai and Saturday, August 25th from 8am-4pm at the Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) regional office at 3316 16th street in Lewiston.

If you are new to hunting or fishing, have hunted or fished for many years and would like to try a different aspect of the sport, or even if you have been away from hunting or angling for years, this is the event for you!

Idaho Fish and Game and Lewis-Clark range staff will be available on Friday starting at 2pm to mentor participants as they shoot shotgun or try various rifle calibers.

Saturday, August 25th outdoor events will be held all day at the regional IDFG office. “Participants of the event will become connected to the tradition of hunting and fishing through a series of educational, hands-on workshops,” says Jen Bruns, Region Communications Manager. “It can be overwhelming for a first-time sportsman as they learn where to hunt, what to pack, how to choose the right weapon, and techniques and regulations for the fish and wildlife they wish to pursue,” says Bruns. “Our goal is to help make the learning process easier by providing information within a series of workshops offered throughout the day. Come for part or all of the day to learn more!”

Emphasis will be given to hunting and fishing techniques and equipment; how to safely use, care for and select a firearm or rod and reel, as well as how to properly clean, fillet, field dress, process and cook your meat. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to taste wild fish and game meat cooked in a variety of ways. Lunch will be served by the boy scouts and 4H shooting sports from 11am-2pm.

New rules in effect to prevent chronic wasting disease from entering Idaho

By Roger Phillips, Public Information Supervisor
Tuesday, August 14, 2018 - 11:29 AM MDT

At its July 26 meeting in Idaho Falls, Fish and Game Commission approved several new rules to prevent chronic wasting disease from entering Idaho, or managing the disease if it ever is found in Idaho. 

New rules include: 

  • Ban the import into Idaho of the carcass or any part of a wild deer, elk, or moose from another state, province of Canada, or country (other than Canada) with any documented case of CWD. This rule immediately takes effect. 

Exceptions to the carcass ban include: 

  1. Meat that is cut and wrapped;
  2. Quarters or deboned meat that does not include brain or spinal tissue;
  3. Edible organs that do not include brains;
  4. Hides without heads;
  5. Upper canine teeth (ivories, buglers, or whistlers);
  6. Finished taxidermy;
  7. Dried antlers; or
  8. Cleaned and dried skulls or skull caps.
  • Ban the use of natural cervid (deer, elk, moose, etc.) urine for hunting big game. This rule will immediately take effect. 
  • Integrating Fish and Game’s chronic wasting disease risk strategy as a consideration and criteria into winter feeding decisions. This rule is pending legislative approval. 
  • Restricting public from winter feeding deer and elk in designated CWD management zones in the event that CWD is discovered in Idaho. This rule is pending legislative approval. 
  • Ban the importation of live mule deer, white-tailed deer and moose with the exception of allowing existing rehabilitation facilities with approved permits to possess live mule deer, white-tailed deer and moose in Idaho. This rule is pending legislative approval. 

Hunters should be aware if they are hunting out of state, and here's a map of states and provinces in North America where CWD has been found. In addition, it has also been found in Norway, Finland and South Korea. 

Young grizzly trapped and relocated in Eastern Idaho

By James Brower, Regional Communications Manager
Friday, August 10, 2018 - 5:06 PM MDT

On Aug. 8, Idaho Fish and Game personnel captured a yearling grizzly bear in a research trap near Big Springs. Grizzly bears typically stay with their family group until they are two years old. Biologists were uncertain why this young bear was not with its mother, but it was in good condition and making it on its own.

This was not a management or conflict capture, but the young bear had been seen near Mack’s Inn on a couple of occasions and it was always alone. Biologists fitted it with a GPS collar and relocated it to an area with less human activity.

The bear was moved to a location near Huckleberry Ridge about 6 miles east of Warm River, where it should have plenty of natural food to eat. Not all bears are good candidates for relocation, but a young bear that is not severely habituated or food conditioned has a good chance of living a normal life and avoiding future conflict.

Habituated black bear lethally removed from Island Park area in Eastern Idaho

By James Brower, Regional Communications Manager
Friday, August 10, 2018 - 4:42 PM MDT

Idaho Fish and Game officials lethally removed a black bear on Aug. 9 at Bill’s Island in Island Park. The bear had been spotted by residents for at least two weeks and could not be safely relocated because it had become habituated to searching for food at residences. It was also comfortable near people and was spotted sleeping under porches, walking on decks, and was active day and night.

The bear became food conditioned because it repeatedly found improperly stored garbage and other attractants on the island. A bear that has access to human food will almost always quit acting like a wild bear and usually ends up having to be removed from the population. Additionally, habituated, food-conditioned bears pose more of a threat to human safety than bears that avoid contact with humans and stay in natural habitats.