Panhandle Region

With spring black bear hunting season well underway, Idaho Department of Fish and Game reminds hunters that using bait comes with easy to follow rules. Yet each spring, some run afoul with the law when their blunders could easily be avoided.

Nearly 200 anglers participated in the inaugural walleye lottery and winners took home just under $9,000 in prize money. For 2020, Biologists tagged even more reward fish and shared data from year one to further entice anglers.

Fishery management of Upper Priest Lake has focused on conserving native fish for much of its management history. Annual removal of lake trout has been a component of that management approach for 20 years. Bull trout have responded well with increasing numbers. Other fish, like westslope cutthroat trout are also showing signs of improvement.

Conservation Officers are asking for the public’s assistance identifying the owner of a vehicle who may be linked to a poaching incident that took place near Blanchard the night of April 17. Officers are looking for the owner of a dark-colored Toyota Tundra, estimated year 2015 to present. The vehicle has a ladder rack in the bed and appears have a small step on the passenger side.

Spring is here, and so is the peak of baby wildlife season. People are bound to see young wildlife when they venture outdoors during the spring and early summer, and there is a pretty good chance that they will see a baby animal that appears to be alone. Fish and Game officials have a simple suggestion to people who discover baby animals that appear to be abandoned: Just leave them be.

The Clark Fork River and the adjacent portion of Lake Pend Oreille have become increasingly popular with anglers and hunters in recent years.  A tremendous fishery exists for a diversity of species in both the river and the lake.  In addition, the area offers excellent waterfowl hunting opportunity and wildlife viewing.  In response to the increased user demand in the area, Fish and Game staff have completed several projects aimed at improving access.

Fresh grizzly bear tracks were confirmed by a Fish and Game conservation officer in the Fish Creek Meadows winter recreation area about 7 miles south of Grangeville on April 18, 2020. It is uncertain if the grizzly is still be in the area or has moved on.