Idaho Fish and Game Southwest Region

10/22/2026

As of this afternoon, October 22, 2026, the full functionality of the Idaho Fish and Game website has been replaced with a minimal, static webpage. This decision was made as a proactive measure to minimize the risk of a potential security vulnerability.

The website still provides critical information for hunters and anglers, including seasons and rules brochures, public comment opportunities, access to our licensing website, hunter education opportunities, and IDFG contact information.

If you cannot locate information or features on the IDFG website that are critical for you, please contact any of our IDFG offices, and we would be happy to help.

Thank you for your patience as we work to ensure the IDFG website remains safe, stable, and reliable. To receive up-to-date information on the status of the website, follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Threads.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/

𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐮𝐬

• 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 2885 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d'Alene, (208) 769-1414
• 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 3316 16th St., Lewiston, (208) 799-5010
• 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 𝐌𝐜𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥: 555 Deinhard Lane, McCall, (208) 634-8137
• 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚: 15950 N. Gate Blvd, Nampa, (208) 465-8465
• 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 324 South 417 East - Suite 1, Jerome, (208) 324-4359
• 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 1345 Barton Road, Pocatello, (208) 232-4703
• 𝐔𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 4279 Commerce Circle, Idaho Falls, (208) 525-7290
• 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 99 Hwy. 93 N., Salmon, (208) 756-2271
• 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 – 600 S. Walnut Street, Boise, (208) 334-3700

10/19/2026

On October 20, the Gold Island segment of the Fort Boise Wildlife Management Area will be closed to public access for an aerial herbicide application.

Herbicides will target cheatgrass, whitetop, and Russian knapweed in an effort to improve wildlife habitat and lower wildfire risk.

The exact closure date is dependent on weather conditions. Idaho Fish and Game staff will post updated notices at area boat ramps to alert sportsmen.

For additional information, please contact the Fort Boise WMA office at (208) 722-5888.

The Gold Island segment of the Fort Boise Wildlife Management Area will be closed to public access for an aerial herbicide application.

10/15/2026

With the 2026 fall steelhead return shaping up to be one of the lowest returns on record, this fall’s outlook has not been promising.

In mid-September, Fish and Game reduced statewide steelhead bag limits as a conservation measure to reduce impacts to natural-origin spawners and ensure hatchery broodstock objectives were met. If you’re a Treasure Valley angler, you might be wondering what all this bad news might mean for stocking steelhead in the Boise River this fall.

The answer is that our staff will not know until after the second week of November at the earliest. Our Boise River steelhead come from surplus fish after broodstock objectives are met at Oxbow Hatchery. Fish are collected in a trap below Hells Canyon Dam on the Snake River beginning the first week of November.

During years when steelhead returns are lower, it may take up to two weeks to catch the 600 fish required for broodstock. Surplus fish are split equally between Idaho, Oregon, and the Nez Perce Tribe.

As soon as stocking plans are finalized, Fish and Game will put out a news release. Anglers can be on the lookout around Nov. 20 for Boise River steelhead news to hit our website and social media channels. Typically, when IDFG stocks the Boise River once during those slower years, anglers can usually expect the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

With the 2026 fall steelhead return shaping up to be one of the lowest returns on record, this fall’s outlook has not been promising. If you’re a Treasure Valley angler, you might be wondering what all this bad news might mean for stocking steelhead in the Boise River this fall.

10/09/2026

The Big Grass Fire started from a lightning strike on July 23, 2026, and burned 578,637 acres in Idaho and Oregon. The fire affected an enormous area, and recovery will take time and effort to restore valuable wildlife habitat.

While these efforts are ongoing, hunters can explore alternative places to hunt deer and elk in the affected units. Remember to always be fire-wise when recreating on this drought-stricken landscape, be mindful of private lands when hunting these units, and remember to keep motorized travel on established roads.

Read more about the Big Grass Fire's impacts on mule deer and elk, and find alternative hunt areas at the headline below.

The fire affected an enormous area, and recovery will take time and effort to restore valuable wildlife habitat. While these efforts are ongoing, hunters can explore alternative places to hunt deer and elk in the affected units.

10/05/2026

We will be stocking nearly 26,000 catchable-size (10 to 12-inch) trout throughout the Southwest Region in October.

See a list of locations and the number of rainbow trout being stocked at the link below.

Fish and Game staff will be stocking nearly 26,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout throughout the Southwest Region in October.

09/21/2026

The Charcoal Segment of the Boise River Wildlife Management Area will close for about three days to ensure public safety during a treatment to combat invasive grasses.

Starting the week of Sept. 21, the Charcoal Segment of the Boise River Wildlife Management Area will close for about three days to ensure public safety while a helicopter applies herbicide to invasive annual grasses.

09/18/2026

Our McCall Fish Hatchery will be closed to the public for construction through November 29. Tours will still be available by appointment only, led by staff on site.

Once the work is complete, visitors will be able to once again walk around the hatchery and enjoy improved parking, upgraded interpretive signs, a live video stream of adult salmon, and an elevated platform where folks can have a bird's-eye view of spawning operations.

Idaho Fish and Game's McCall Fish Hatchery will be closed to the public for construction beginning Sept. 14. The construction is expected to last through Nov. 29. Tours will still be available by appointment only led by staff on site.

08/28/2026

𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀: 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻

We continue to receive reports of black bears around homes, businesses, and public areas across the region. Many of the reports involve black bears finding easy sources of food, including unsecured residential garbage, residential garbage containers, business and community dumpsters, stored pet food, and bird feeders (seed and liquid).

To keep bears from becoming habituated to urban environments, it is everyone’s responsibility to keep all attractants (e.g., human sources of food, pet food, bird seed, or ripe and fallen fruit) secured, picked up, and out of reach for bears.

𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀

Biologists are urging residents to report any bear activity around homes and neighborhoods, especially if a bear is getting access to food rewards.

Early reporting allows IDFG to work with residents to proactively haze bears away from homes, reducing the chances of a bear becoming food-conditioned.

Report bears in or around residential areas to the Southwest Regional Office at (208) 465-8465.

If a bear is displaying aggressive or threatening behavior, call 911 to report it to your local county sheriff.

08/28/2026

Ready to gear up for big game r***e season? We offer several Hunter Education course formats designed to fit your schedule before opening day—including our popular Pre-Study options.

Our Pre-Study courses combine independent learning at home with a 1- or 2-day in-person session (5 to 8 total hours in class). You’ll review the materials on your own time, then join our expert volunteer instructors for dynamic, hands-on instruction and skills practice.

Spots fill quickly ahead of the season—check our schedule and register today!

Sept. 19th (Kuna) Hunter & Bowhunter certification: Instructor-led- https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/247553
Sept. 19th (Middleton) Hunter & Bowhunter certification: Instructor-led- https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/247629
Sept. 26th (Nampa) Hunter & Bowhunter certification: Instructor-led- https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/247810
Sept. 26th (Meridian) Hunter & Bowhunter certification: Instructor-led- https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/247713
Oct. 24th (Nampa) Wolf Trapper Certification: Instructor-led- https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/247107
Nov. 21st (Kuna) Trapper Certification: Instructor-led- https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/247658
Nov. 22nd (Kuna) Trapper Certification: Instructor-led- https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/247660

08/17/2026

A huge thank you to our amazing 2026 Hunter Education Volunteer Conference donors!

Thanks to your generosity, we’re able to recognize and celebrate the incredible volunteers who make our hunter education courses possible. Day in and day out, these instructors give their time, passion, and expertise to mentor the next generation—teaching them what it truly means to be safe, ethical, and responsible outdoors.

We couldn't do it without our donors or our volunteers. Thank you for supporting our mission and our community! Slayer Calls Scheels 's G***K

Are you interested in sponsoring next year's conference?
Contact [email protected]

Would you like to volunteer to teach Hunter Education program courses?
Find out more information using this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfl6P-yXz7GtoE0QDh2EA3HpyCR6CM9942aqHcJ1E4I7Ckq7Q/viewform?usp=header