Idaho Fish and Game Magic Valley

11/08/2026

A fish salvage order has been issued for Oakley Reservoir effective Aug. 13 through Nov. 1, 2026.

As the reservoir is drawn down, water levels and conditions will become unsuitable for the fishery. The salvage order provides an opportunity for anglers to make use of the fish that would otherwise be lost as the reservoir is dewatered.

During the salvage period:

- Fish may be taken by any method except fi****ms, explosives, chemicals or electric current.

- All bag, possession and size limits are removed.

- A valid Idaho fishing license is still required.

We recognize the value of the Oakley Reservoir fishery to anglers and understand the temporary loss of the fishery is disappointing. Once water conditions improve, our fisheries staff will evaluate conditions and work toward restoring the fishery, including walleye.

The timing of fishery restoration will depend on future water availability and habitat conditions. Fish stocking and other management actions will be considered as conditions allow.

Idaho Fish and Game is issuing a salvage order for Oakley Reservoir effective Aug. 13 through Nov. 1, 2026. As the reservoir is drawn down, water levels and conditions will become unsuitable for the fishery. The salvage order provides an opportunity for anglers to make use of the fish that would oth...

04/08/2026

Congratulations to Senior Conservation Officer Meghan Roos!🎉

She was recently named the 2026 International Wildlife Crimestoppers Guidefitter Game Warden of the Year at the International Wildlife Crimestoppers Conference in Bar Harbor, Maine.

The annual award recognizes a conservation law enforcement officer whose service, leadership, investigative work and dedication to protecting fish and wildlife represent the highest standards of the profession. Officers from wildlife agencies across the U.S. and Canada are nominated, with one recipient selected through a competitive review process.

For the full story, check out the link in the comments below.

03/07/2026

Effective July 5 through October 1, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission has ordered that bag and possession limits be removed for fish in designated sections of the Big Wood River and Richfield Canal due to reduced flows below Magic Reservoir Dam.

The order applies to the Big Wood River from the railroad trestle approximately 1.25 miles below the dam to the State Highway 75 Bridge, and the Richfield Canal from the upstream point of diversion from the Big Wood River to its confluence with the Little Wood River near Richfield.

𝐀 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐈𝐝𝐚𝐡𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝.

Fish may be taken by any method except fi****ms, explosives, chemicals, or electric current.

Effective July 5 and continuing until October 1, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission ordered that bag and possession limits be removed on portions of the Big Wood River below the dam, from a point beginning at the railroad trestle, approximately 1.25 miles downstream of the dam, extending to the Stat...

23/06/2026

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰?🎣

Stop by Gavers Lagoon at the Hayspur Fish Hatchery from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and give fishing a try! The fishing trailer will be on-site with rods and reels available to borrow, making it easy for anglers of all ages and experience levels to get a line in the water.

Just be sure to check in at the trailer when you arrive. While the trailer is on-site, participants do not need a fishing license to take part in the event.

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬? Anglers 14 years of age and older will need a valid Idaho fishing license to continue fishing.

Whether you're introducing someone new to fishing for the first time or just looking to spend a few hours outdoors, we'd love to see you there!

17/06/2026

Controlled hunt draw results for deer, elk, pronghorn, fall black bear, fall turkey, and swan controlled hunt drawings are now available at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com.

Our licensing system will be experiencing very high volume as hunters log in to check their results. To help move customers through the system as quickly as possible, a virtual line will be turned on for the first few hours that results are available.

Emails are being sent in batches, so just because your hunting buddy received an email before you, it doesn’t mean yours isn’t coming.

We will NOT be sending any postcards, so hunters are encouraged to review their email to verify their results or log into their online account at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com.

Read more: https://idfg.idaho.gov/article/now-available-controlled-hunt-drawing-results-deer-elk-pronghorn-fall-bear-turkey-and-1

12/06/2026

Over the last couple years, Idaho Fish and Game, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Idaho Bird Observatory, Boise State University, and retired University of Wyoming professor, Dr. Craig Benkman have worked together through the Cassia Crossbill Working Group to develop a habitat management plan and increase public awareness on the unique wildlife species found in the South Hills.

One result of this work is a new interpretive panel highlighting the Cassia Crossbill.

The Minidoka Ranger District Wildlife Program, in cooperation with the Cassia Crossbill Working Group, will unveil the new interpretive panel at Diamondfield Jack Campground on Saturday, June 13, at 5:00 p.m.

The public is invited to attend the unveiling and learn more about the efforts that made this project possible.

📷: Dr. Craig Benkman

11/06/2026

🎣 Free Fishing Day is this Saturday, June 13!

Join us at Riley Pond on the Hagerman Wildlife Management Area for a fun day of fishing. Idaho Fish and Game staff and volunteers will have the fishing trailer on-site from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We hope to see you there!

30/04/2026

PARTNERSHIP HIGHLIGHT!

Before the Badger Fire of 2020, Idaho Fish and Game, the Forest Service, and Pheasants Forever partnered to improve sagebrush habitat for mule deer and sage grouse throughout the South Hills.

These habitat projects were focused on decreasing invasive cheatgrass across important winter and summer ranges, removing encroaching juniper, and restoring shrub communities impacted by wildfire.

Today, this partnership has helped improve nearly 25,000 acres of Forest Service-managed land in the South Hills.

To see the great work this team is doing together check out https://arcg.is/SvS4D

23/04/2026

Join our team in the Magic Valley! We are hiring a fisheries technician, biological aides, and a maintenance technician. Check them out at the links below.

- Fisheries Technician: Bellevue: https://idfg.idaho.gov/job/160451

- Fisheries Biological Aide: Hagerman: https://idfg.idaho.gov/job/160437

- Fisheries Biological Aide: Hagerman: https://idfg.idaho.gov/job/159455

- Biological Aide-Angler Recruitment: Jerome: https://idfg.idaho.gov/job/160218

- Maintenance Technician: Jerome: https://idfg.idaho.gov/job/159649

- Various full-time, seasonal/temporary positions: Statewide https://idfg.idaho.gov/job

07/04/2026

At the March Commission meeting, Senior Conservation Officer Jim Stirling was honored as Idaho’s 2025 Shikar-Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year.

This award recognizes Officer Stirling’s outstanding service to the community, his fellow employees, and the sportsmen and women of Idaho. His work reflects a strong and ongoing commitment to conservation and resource protection.

At the March Commission meeting, Senior Conservation Officer Jim Stirling, who serves the Magic Valley Region in the Twin Falls, Kimberly, Hansen, and Murtaugh areas, was honored as Idaho’s 2025 Shikar-Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year. This award recognizes Officer Stirling.....