Press Releases and Articles
May fish stocking schedule for the Upper Snake Region
| idfg-jbrower
Statewide trout stocking highlights for May 2024
| idfg-cliess
Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking roughly 410,000 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… more
Shooting protected wildlife is poaching, not recreational shooting, and people are watching
| idfg-rphillips
The southern Idaho desert becomes a popular area for recreational shooting during spring. While most target practice is done by responsible gun owners, a concerning minority illegally kill protected wildlife. In response, Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers are stepping up patrols to ensure people abide by laws… more
Fish and Game's Clearwater Region celebrates 125 years of partnerships on May 11th
| idfg-jbruns
Idaho Fish and Game will be celebrating 125 years of partnerships at the annual Winchester State Park spring fishing tournament on Saturday, May 11th. Winchester park staff will begin the derby at 8 a.m. The fishing trailer will be available to supply all the needed fishing gear on a first-come, first-serve basis… more
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 2024 deer, elk, pronghorn, swan, fall black bear, and fall turkey controlled hunts begins May 1 and runs through June 5. All applicants will receive an email with their draw results by early July if there’s a valid email in their license account.
Hunters can also apply for the… more
Spring Chinook Salmon Fishing Update 4/25/2024: Rapid River Run, Hells Canyon, and Clearwater River Fisheries
| idfg-jdupont
Hi everybody.
The spring Chinook Salmon season starts this Saturday (April 27, 2024), 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
May trout stocking schedule for the Salmon Region
| idfg-mdemick
Anglers will have approximately 3,200 freshly stocked rainbow trout to catch at area fishing holes in May.
Clearwater wildlife blog series: Installment #2- How harvest statistics are used
| idfg-jbruns
Unlike portions of central and southern Idaho, northern Idaho’s dense forests and brush provide excellent cover making it difficult to see animals. These forests provide great habitat for white-tailed deer but make counting them tough. In fact, these habitats do such a good job of hiding white-tails that the aerial… more
Kid's Fishing Day at Hordemann Pond in Moscow on April 27
| idfg-jbruns
To help families discover the joys of fishing, the annual Kiwanis Kid's Fishing Day will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Moscow's Hordemann Pond. Idaho Fish and Game's new fishing trailer will be stocked with rods and reels available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis. If you're not… more
Attention hunters, changes to chronic wasting disease management could affect your hunt
| idfg-rphillips
Deer hunters will see changed rules for chronic wasting disease management during the fall hunting season. There are additional mandatory testing requirements for several hunting units in central Idaho along the U.S. 95/Highway 55 corridors south of Grangeville in response to the latest CWD data.
At the… 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 slightly higher than average through the end of March.
"From a statewide perspective, winter survival is tracking very close to what we’ve seen prior to last year’s brutal winter," said Fish and Game’s… more
Do you know jack? Take this salmon quiz
| idfg-tcopeland
In Idaho, fishing regulations distinguish between “jacks” and other salmon. But what is a “jack” exactly? Why are they treated differently? Is this just another funny word fish biologists use?
First, let’s talk about some history. The word “jack” (as opposed to the name, Jack) is… more
Application period for fall 2024 swan controlled hunt opens May 1
| idfg-cliess
The application period is May 1 through June 5 for the fall 2024 swan controlled hunt in the Panhandle Region. Successful controlled hunt applicants will be notified by July 10.
Hunters with a valid 2024 Idaho hunting license may apply for controlled hunts online with a credit card at gooutdoorsidaho.com, at any… more
Clark Fork River produces new state record Westslope cutthroat trout
| idfg-mkoenig
Congratulations to Daniel Whitesitt of Post Falls on landing a new catch-and-release state record for westslope cutthroat trout. Daniel hooked the lunker trout while fishing the Clark Fork River in northern Idaho on April 13, 2024. After landing the fish, Daniel recorded the required measurements and photos to document… more
Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (04-23-2024)
| idfg-bbeller
Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for April 23, 2024. The data included in this report was collected between Monday, April 15 and Sunday, April 21, 2024.
Steelhead angler effort during the past week on the Upper Salmon River was almost exclusively observed above the East Fork… more
Dust off the fishing rod and plan your next family fishing outing this spring
| idfg-cliess
Old man winter has finally hit the bricks, and as the temperatures creep up fish get a little more active and Idaho Fish and Game stocking trucks start delivering more fish across the state.
Maybe ol’ Saint Nick delivered a new fishing pole to a kid during Christmas, or your trusty old fishing rod has been… more
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
Crystal Springs Pond to be drawn down for county road repairs
| idfg-pkennedy
Crystal Springs Pond will be slowly drawn down beginning Tuesday, April 23, to help with repairs to Edwards Road near Springfield Fish Hatchery.
This fishery, located in Bingham County, is a popular family fishing water and typically supports year-round trout fishing. Anglers should be aware that fishing… more