Press Releases

Mother Nature knows best; leave young wildlife alone

June is the peak fawning and calving season for Idaho's deer, elk and antelope herds. With camping and the outdoors season well underway, well-meaning citizens often find baby animals that seem to be abandoned. Idaho Department of Fish and Game is asking people to leave them alone.

Clark Fork Delta restoration work continues this summer with the help of youth crews

Starting in mid-June, youth crews from the Idaho Conservation Corp will be camping at the Clark Fork Drift Yard while they assist Fish and Game in seeding, planting, weeding and monitoring efforts in the delta.  Crews will stay and work at the delta June 10 to 20, July 22 to 26, and August 19 to 23. Restoration work on White and Derr Islands begins in August.

F&G Commission opens Chinook fishing season on the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River

Fish and Game Commissioners on June 13 opened Chinook salmon fishing effective immediately on the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River to allow anglers the opportunity to harvest hatchery fish bound for the Selway River that are normally caught in the Lower Clearwater River, which did not have a C

Young black bear found in Coeur d’Alene neighborhood on June 12

Given the bear’s small size and because there were no previous reports of the bear in town, officials do not believe the animal poses a threat to public safety. Fish and Game personnel will continue to monitor the bear’s movements.

Unit 33 and 39 Black Bear Seasons End Saturday

Hunters pursuing black bears in units 33 or 39 are reminded that the black bear season ends on June 15 this year in these units. A glance at the 2019 big game rule book might lead a hunter to a different conclusion.

Privy Art - a new look to plain, vandal-prone outdoor restrooms

Privy, latrine, commode - there are many names for an outhouse.

'Fish Idaho Fest' brings fishing and fun to Boise brewery

Idaho Fish and Game will host the “Fish Idaho Fest” from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday June 15 at Payette Brewing at 733 S. Pioneer St. in Boise. The event includes live bands, casting demonstrations, kid’s fly tying, raffles, food trucks, and booths from fishing retailers and conservation organizations. This event is family friendly, free and open to the public. 

Hayden Lake Sportsman Park boat launch closed June 13 for dock replacement

Update 6/13/19: New dock is in and access is reopened. Thank you for your patience!

Fish and Game staff will be replacing the existing dock at the Hayden Lake Sportsman Park on Thursday, June 13. The boat ramp will be closed for most of the day to complete the upgrade.

Update on Priest River cold water alternatives assessment scheduled for June 20

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is studying the feasibility of using cold water to improve trout habitat and fishing opportunity in the Priest River.

No surprises, winter survival estimates for mule deer below average, better for elk

Statewide, 42 percent of radio collared fawns survived through the winter. For elk, 69 percent of radio collared calves were alive at the end of May. Idaho Fish and Game biologists monitored 207 mule deer fawns and 201 elk calves that were captured in early winter and fitted with telemetry collars.

Henry's Fork River's Box Canyon has nearly 5,000 rainbow trout per mile

Recent surveys show the estimated number of rainbow trout larger than six inches for  2019 is 4,924 per mile, which is an increase over Fish and Games' 2018 survey that estimated rainbow trout populations at 2,796 per mile. It's the third-highest count since 1994. 

Magic Valley hosts meeting to explain deer plans and take comments

Fish and Game wildlife managers from across the state are asking deer hunters to review and comment on the department’s draft management plans for mule deer and white-tailed deer, and the Magic Valley Region will host an open house at the Jerome office in the Highway 93 Business Park on June 12 f

Comment period open for negotiated rule proposals for hunting, trapping and big game importation

Idaho Fish and Game is proposing new rules and rule changes to be considered by the Fish and Game commission, and people have until June 26 to comment.

Video: Learn more about draft mule deer plan with mule deer biologist Matt Pieron

Mule Deer Biologist Matt Pieron explains the new statewide Mule Deer Plan and how to provide input

Striking a balance with Deadwood Reservoir kokanee

If anglers are planning on taking a trip to Deadwood to chase kokanee this summer, they are reminded when the 2019-21 Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules were adopted in Nov. 2018, the bag limit was reduced to 15, and the possession limit was reduced to 45.

New Fish and Game Southwest Region Office now open

The new office is located at 15950 N. Gate Boulevard, near the corner of North Idaho Center Boulevard and Franklin Road, directly east of the College of Western Idaho Micron Center.

Clearwater area hunters are encouraged to attend deer management plan open house in Lewiston, June 11

June 11 meeting allows opportunity for hunters to have their voice be heard regarding future deer management in Idaho

Chinook season closes on the Lower Salmon, Little Salmon rivers

Chinook salmon fishing in the Lower Salmon and Little Salmon rivers has met harvest objectives and Fish and Game is closing the season effective June 4. The last four-day opener was completed on Sunday, June 2.