Press Releases and Articles
Controlled hunt application period for deer, elk, pronghorn, swan and fall black bear and turkey runs May 1 through June 5
| idfg-cliess
The application period for fall 2025 deer, elk, pronghorn, swan, fall black bear, and fall turkey controlled hunts begins May 1 and runs through June 5. Hunters can also apply for the first Super Hunt drawing through May 31.
Hunters with a valid 2025 Idaho hunting license may apply for controlled hunts online at… more
May trout stocking schedule for the Clearwater Region
| idfg-jbruns
Fish and Game staff will be stocking nearly 43,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout at the following locations across the Clearwater Region in May.
All fish stocked are rainbow trout, unless otherwise noted. Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler… more
Statewide trout stocking highlights for May 2025
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 390,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this May. 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 notable… more
Important dates to help plan your May
| idfg-cliess
From tags sales to general season openers, there’s a lot happening in Idaho during May 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
May trout stocking schedule for the Salmon Region
| idfg-mdemick
Anglers will have approximately 3,500 freshly stocked rainbow trout to catch at area fishing holes in May and early June.
Turkey hunters in North Idaho are reminded to report leg bands from harvested turkeys
| idfg-tjross
With wild turkeys clucking, strutting and gobbling throughout the woods of North Idaho, Idaho Fish and Game is reminding wild turkey hunters to please report leg bands from turkeys harvested in the Panhandle.
Look, don't touch: Despite good intentions, 'rescuing' baby wildlife can lead to bad outcomes
| idfg-cliess
It's officially spring, folks. And that means the peak of baby wildlife season is in full bloom. And it doesn't matter whether you're a backwoods hunter, hiker, bird watcher or sidewalk stroller: People are bound to see young wildlife when they venture outdoors during the spring and early summer. And there is a pretty… more
Warm Slough Access Site moves to day-use only Feb. 1 - Sept. 30
| idfg-jbrower
Idaho Fish and Game's Warm Slough Access Site's status has recently changed from a 10-day camping limit to day-use only from February 1st through September 30th. Warm Slough is located in Madison County, about 5 miles north of Highway 33 along the Henry’s Fork River.
This decision was made with public… more
Application period for fall 2025 swan controlled hunt opens May 1
| idfg-cliess
The application period is May 1 through June 5 for the fall 2025 swan controlled hunt in the Panhandle Region. Successful controlled hunt applicants will be notified by July 10.
Hunters with a valid 2025 Idaho hunting license may apply for controlled hunts online with a credit card at gooutdoorsidaho.com, at any… more
Shooting skills clinic planned in Salmon May 10
| idfg-mdemick
Idaho Fish and Game will host a Shooting Skills Clinic on May 10 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Lemhi County Public Rifle Range.
Spring Chinook Salmon Fishing Update 4/23/2025: Rapid River Run, Hells Canyon, and Clearwater River Fisheries
| idfg-jdupont
Hi everybody.
The spring Chinook Salmon season starts this Saturday (April 26, 2025), so I figured it was time to start providing my weekly spring Chinook Salmon fishery updates. These updates will cover the Rapid River Run fishery that occurs in the lower Salmon and Little Salmon rivers, the Hells Canyon… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (04-22-2025)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for April 22, 2025. The data discussed in this report was collected between Monday, April 14 and Sunday, April 20. This will be the last report issued for the spring 2025 steelhead season.
Steelhead angler effort last week was almost entirely… more
Idaho Fish and Game investigating illegal killing of a pronghorn near Aberdeen
| idfg-jjackson
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking information regarding the illegal killing of a pronghorn in southeast Idaho.
A member of the public discovered a dead adult pronghorn doe near the intersection of Gehring Road and Lava Beds Road southwest of Aberdeen. The carcass was located approximately 200… more
Youth Outdoor Skills Day event set for May 10, at Beaver Dick Park
| idfg-jbrower
Idaho Fish and Game is once again hosting its annual Youth Outdoor Skills Day event. Come join in on the fun Saturday, May 10th, at Beaver Dick Park on Highway 33 west of Rexburg from 9am-2pm. The entire event is free and open to the whole family. Those participating in six or more skills booths will be entered into a… more
Fish and Game’s Twin Lakes access site in North Idaho to be reopened soon
| idfg-tjross
The Idaho Fish and Game Twin Lakes boating access site closed for construction Sept. 18, 2024. The site was originally scheduled to reopen around April 15, 2025, but load limits on local roads delayed the project. Work has resumed and the site is on track to reopen before the end of April. The site is located in… more
Here’s how mule deer fawns and elk calves have fared through mid-March
| idfg-cliess
Statewide winter survival for mule deer fawns and elk calves has shown to be right in line with years past. Through the middle of March 2025, 67% of fawns and 93% of calves (with tracking collars) have neared the finish line on their first winter.
But, the race isn’t over just yet.
Depending on weather,… more
F&G Commission sets migratory game bird seasons for 2025-26
| idfg-cliess
During its conference call on April 15, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission set the 2025-2026 migratory game bird seasons, including waterfowl, mourning dove, American crow, and sandhill crane. Because it was a special meeting of the Commission, no public comment or question opportunities were held during the meeting.… more
An Angler's Guide to Kokanee Management: How F&G manages cyclical populations (VIDEO)
| idfg-rphillips
If you ask kokanee anglers what they want, odds are good they will say more fish and bigger ones. That’s not being greedy, that’s just an honest answer about what they’d prefer. But there are tradeoffs, variables and unknowns that keep “more and bigger” from happening, which is the cold shower of reality when it comes… more