Press Releases and Articles
Sportsmen Pay Their Share
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Idaho counties will receive more than a quarter million dollars this year to offset property taxes where Fish and Game owns land. Sportsmen's license money pays the fees-in-lieu-of-taxes (FILT) to keep counties from losing funding that would otherwise come from taxes on private property. These fees have been paid… moreTiger Muskie Record Broken Twice in 72 Hours
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Idaho's 1999 record for tiger muskie was snapped twice in late June. The old record of 34 pounds, eight ounces-set last year by Justin Olson-was broken by a 35-pound fish caught on the last weekend of June. Before the paperwork was submitted for that record, angler Dave Tacherv brought a 37-pound, 13 ounce tiger… moreHunter Education Instructor Honored
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Nick Hogamier of Wallace has certified 1,036 hunters in his 20 years as an Idaho Hunter Education instructor, a volunteer career that earned him the Instructor of the Year award. Governor Dirk Kempthorne was on hand in Coeur d'Alene to honor Hogamier for his service. Hogamier was given a lifetime hunting and fishing… moreApply for Crane Hunts by July 15
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The application period for sandhill crane controlled hunts ends July 15. Hunters can apply at any license vendor or by mail using the application form printed in the information brochure. Application can also be made over the phone by calling 1-800-824-3729 or on the Fish and Game Website under "What's New." The… moreAsk Fish and Game
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Q. Last week I asked if I needed a hunting license to plink or shoot targets. The answer said I only needed a license if I shoot at an animal. Can you clarify this? A. You can shoot cans or other targets without a license. You actually need a license long before you shoot at an animal. If you are pursuing any animal… moreCutthroat Spawning Creeks Open July 1
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IDAHO FALLS - Most anglers in Idaho associate the opening day of fishing with the Memorial Day weekend, but there is one special opening day unique to certain higher elevation creeks that doesn't take place until July 1 of each year. According to Regional Fish Manager Mark Gamblin, "We keep those creeks closed a little… moreFish Limits to be Removed From Some Water at Hagerman WMA
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Effective July 1, and running through August 31, the bag, possession, and size limits on all fish in certain waters at Hagerman Wildlife Management Area (WMA) will be removed. Those ponds include Anderson Ponds #1, #2, and #3, plus both Bass Ponds. On June 23, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission issued a special order… moreHunter Education Registrating Set For July
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Registration for late summer and early fall rifle hunter education classes will be held in the Magic Valley Region from Monday, July 10 through Friday, July 14 at various locations throughout the area. Those people needing the basic course, and planning to hunt this fall, will only have this opportunity to sign up for… moreCommission Sets South Fork Salmon Season
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Salmon anglers can begin fishing the famous South Fork of the Salmon River for summer chinook June 30 or after, as soon as federal fisheries authorities approve Idaho's request for a permit. Anglers are already enjoying good fishing for spring chinook on the Clearwater and Little Salmon Rivers. A summer chinook season… morePredator Policy Public Review Sought
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Idaho Fish and Game Commissioners will continue to take comment from the public on the proposed predator management policy when they meet in Stanley July 13-14. Predator policy has already been the subject of comments to commissioners in prior meetings. The policy is also posted on the department's internet web site… moreAsk Fish and Game
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Q. Do I have to have a license to target practice? A. No, you can plink cans, or shoot targets without a license. As soon as you shoot at an animal, you need a license.Extra Fish For Regional Waters
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A surplus of hatchery steelhead was recently planted into several Idaho reservoirs. Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) hatchery personnel at Niagara Springs produced an excess of A-run steelhead this year. The Niagara Springs hatchery, on the Snake River south of Wendell, is an Idaho Power Company mitigation… moreCommission to Meet July 13, 14
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The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet at the Mountain Village Lodge in Stanley beginning at 8:00 a.m. Thursday, July 13. There will be a public hearing at the Community Building at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 12. The Commission expects to decide whether an observer with a hound hunting party needs to have a… moreSouth Fork Salmon Chinook Season Possible
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Summer chinook fishing on the famed South Fork of the Salmon River appears to be a possibility. Fish and Game biologists are busily tracking the beginning of the summer chinook run for clues as to whether there will be enough surplus hatchery summer chinook salmon returning to the South Fork of the Salmon River (SFSR… moreDon't Be A Wildlife Kidnapper
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Each year at about this time, Fish and Game offices are flooded with calls from citizens who, with the best of intentions, have captured newborn wild animals and wonder what to do with them. The callers generally do not understand that they have already consigned the baby critters to an unhappy fate. They also fail to… moreCommissioners Reappointed
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Governor Dirk Kempthorne has reappointed two Fish and Game Commission members whose four-year terms had expired. John Burns of Carmen, commissioner for the Salmon Region, and Dr. Fred Wood of Burley, the Magic Valley Region commissioner, have each served one term. They were appointed by former Governor Phil Batt.… moreAudit of Fish and Game Licensing Contract Released
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The Idaho Fish and Game Commission, and the Department of Fish and Game, on June 12 reviewed results of an audit by the state Office of Performance Evaluation of the agency's automated licensing system. The audit was presented at a meeting of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee. While critical of the original… moreAsk Fish and Game
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Q.Where are the crawfish in Idaho? A. Crawfish or crayfish or crawdads are found throughout Idaho. We have identified at least 4 species of the Genus Pacifastacus that are found from small higher elevation streams to lowland lakes and the Snake River as it flows out of Idaho. If you want to catch crayfish legally in… more