Upper Salmon River Steelhead Update - 10/10/2023

Tue, 10/10/2023 - 13:52 | idfg-bbeller

Hi everyone, this is the Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report for October 10th, 2023. The data discussed in this report was collected between Monday, October 2nd and Sunday, October 8th.

The weather was excellent during the first full week of October, and we did have a few anglers report catching… more

Salmon Region irrigators asked to contact Fish and Game before turning water off

Tue, 10/10/2023 - 13:47 | idfg-mdemick

With the irrigation season winding down and efforts to keep fish out of ditches, local irrigators who divert water from area rivers and streams are asked to call Idaho Fish and Game’s Fish Screen Program at 756-6022 several days before shutting off their water for the season.   

Be a Good Witness: How citizens play a vital role in solving wildlife crime

Tue, 10/10/2023 - 12:35 | idfg-jberl

Every year, Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers rely on citizen reports to identify and investigate wildlife violations throughout the state. Without dedicated sportsmen and women doing the right thing — making the call and reporting — many wildlife violations would go undetected, undocumented and unsolved.… more

Fish and Game and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture actively monitor for fish mortalities during quagga mussel treatment in the Snake River

Fri, 10/06/2023 - 21:01 | idfg-tthompson

Idaho Fish and Game and Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) staff are monitoring the Snake River for fish mortalities as a result of the chelated copper treatment for quagga mussels. It was anticipated that there would be significant fish mortality in the six-mile segment of the river once treatment began.… more

Youth hunting season opens in the Clearwater Region Saturday, Oct. 7

Fri, 10/06/2023 - 13:44 | idfg-jbruns

No plans this weekend? No Problem! The statewide youth pheasant season begins this Saturday, October 7th, and runs through Friday, October 13th. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce the youth in your life to upland hunting. Here in the Clearwater Region, Fish and Game will stock two pheasant release locations… more

Portion of Cecil D. Andrus WMA will be closed Oct. 22-24 for aerial herbicide application

Fri, 10/06/2023 - 13:42 | idfg-bpearson

An aerial herbicide application will close a portion of Cecil D. Andrus WMA from Oct. 22 through Oct. 24 to the public (both motorized and non-motorized traffic). The Grade Creek access road and the surrounding area (see map below) will be closed during the herbicide application.

Barring any unforeseen changes… more

Landowners in CWD project area authorized to harvest additional deer

Fri, 10/06/2023 - 12:31 | idfg-jbruns

To monitor for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and lower the potential for it to spread outside of the CWD positive area, Idaho Fish and Game is offering landowners within and adjacent to the Slate Creek “Hot Spot” area an authorization to harvest additional deer on their private lands or lands that they lease. This CWD… more

(VIDEO): How to preserve evidence of sex and species on a big game animal

Fri, 10/06/2023 - 08:10 | idfg-cliess

Failure to leave evidence of sex and species naturally attached to a big game animal remains one of the most common violations detected at Idaho Fish and Game check stations, so in order to help hunters, Fish and Game staff have created a helpful video (below) that walk you through how to leave evidence of sex and… more

F&G opens opportunity to comment on multiple proposed rulemaking changes

Fri, 10/06/2023 - 07:58 | idfg-cliess

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has approved the following proposed rulemaking:

Chapter 6: Rules Governing Classification and Protection of Wildlife (ZBR Rewrite) Chapter 8: Rules Governing Taking of Big Game Animals – Section 406 Special Weapons Seasons – Muzzleloader  Chapter 11: Rules Governing Fish (… more

F&G seeks input on muzzleloader ammunition proposed rule

Fri, 10/06/2023 - 07:53 | idfg-cliess

Idaho Fish and Game is seeking public input on a proposed rule change that would allow projectiles made of metal or metal alloy, and with accuracy tips and pressure bases, to be used in hunting seasons designated as “muzzleloader only.” 

This would be a change to the existing rule that only allows a patched… more

Rainbow trout stocking schedule for October 2023 in the Magic Valley Region

Thu, 10/05/2023 - 15:00 | idfg-tthompson

Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 36,450 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in October. All stocking dates and numbers of fish are approximate.

Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns);… more

Hunters: If your tag isn't properly notched, it's invalid

Thu, 10/05/2023 - 11:04 | idfg-cliess

Know the rules for motorized travel in some big game hunting units

Thu, 10/05/2023 - 09:17 | idfg-cliess

With increasing use of motorized vehicles such as side-by-sides and ATVs by big game hunters, everyone, especially those using motorized vehicles, need to be aware of the motorized hunting rule. The rule applies when someone is actively hunting big game using a motorized vehicle. The rule is in effect from Aug. 30… more

F&G surveys fish populations in the Snake River prior to quagga mussel treatment

Wed, 10/04/2023 - 10:01 | idfg-tthompson

On Oct. 1-2, 2023, Idaho Fish and Game fisheries biologists from across southern Idaho used non lethal electrofishing techniques in the Snake River to mark fish in three short reaches of the river. Two of the reaches were in areas where quagga mussel larvae were detected by Idaho Department of Agriculture’s monitoring… more

Careful…that may not be the trophy bull you think it is

Tue, 10/03/2023 - 11:27 | idfg-cliess

You pull the binoculars up to your eyes and, lo and behold, that blurry brown object just off the side of the road appears to be an elk. And not just any elk — a massive six-point bull. Or so it seems.

Taking a shot on that suspiciously still bull might seem tempting, but it could also be a very costly mistake… more

Hunt safe with these 10 survival tips when hunting big game

Tue, 10/03/2023 - 10:06 | idfg-cliess

Every hunting season, hunters get lost in the woods, and while most escape no worse than tired, chilled and hungry, the hazards of being lost in Idaho's woods shouldn't be underestimated.

Hunters can take precautions and prepare for an unexpected situations in the woods.

Know the area you're hunting

… more

Know your species before heading into the mountains this fall

Tue, 10/03/2023 - 09:02 | idfg-tjross

Is that a mule deer or a white-tailed deer? A moose or an elk? A black bear or a grizzly bear? These are questions asked and thoughts pondered by many a sportsman each hunting season.

While it may seem like an easy task, correctly identifying your target species can be challenging at times. Weather conditions,… more

Hot tips for processing salmon and steelhead

Tue, 10/03/2023 - 07:54 | idfg-csullivan

Fall salmon and steelhead fishing is in full swing, and many happy anglers are celebrating the fall season with delicious fish in their coolers and on their tables. Filleting and processing large salmon and steelhead can be intimidating to some people, so this article was written to help those individuals and maybe… more