Free lecture series coming to Edson Fichter nature area next month

Have you wanted to learn more about the history of the Edson Fichter Nature Area in Pocatello? Its purpose? What fish and wildlife call this area home? Things to do there? Then come on out to a free lecture series this September.

Hear from guest speakers on a variety of topics focused on this special place. These evening chats will be held at the outdoor amphitheater at Edson Fichter Nature Area every Thursday, Sept. 9 – Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.

  • September 9 – Edson Fichter: His Legacy and the Nature Area in His Name – Jennifer Jackson and Maria Pacioretty, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
  • September 16 – Fishes of the Portneuf River – Ernest Keeley, ISU Fish Ecology Lab, Professor of Biological Sciences
  • September 23 – Birds in the Portneuf Area – Austin Young, ISU Biological Sciences, Masters Student
  • September 30 – What Mammals are Here? -Don Streubel, ISU Retired Professor of Biological Sciences

Audience members are welcome to bring chairs or blankets for sitting in and around the outdoor amphitheater. Seating is limited, so come early to get a good spot. In the event of inclement weather, cancellations may occur.

Please note that CDC guidelines for outdoor events will be encouraged as part of COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

If you have any questions, need directions, or would like additional information, please call the Idaho Fish and Game office in Pocatello at 208-232-4703.  We look forward to seeing you there

Nearly 34,000 trout coming to Southeast Idaho fisheries in April

April may be known for its finicky spring weather in Southeast Idaho, but here is a “forecast” anglers can really rely on to plan their outings. Personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s hatcheries in the Southeast Region will be releasing nearly 34,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations throughout this month:

  • Crystal Springs Pond: April 5-9 (375 fish)
  • Edson Fichter Pond: April 5-9 (950 fish)
  • Jensen Grove Pond: April 5-9 (4,500 fish)
  • Bannock Reservoir: April 5-9 (500 fish)
  • Bear River at Oneida Narrows: April 5-9 (750 fish)
  • Portneuf River below Center Street Bridge in Lava Hot Springs: April 5-9 (330 fish)
  • Crowthers Reservoir: April 12-16 (2,200 fish)
  • Weston Creek Reservoir: April 12-16 (1,500 fish)
  • Chesterfield Reservoir: April 12-16 (19,200 fish)
  • Crystal Springs Pond: April 19-23 (375 hours)
  • Bannock Reservoir: April 19-23 (500 fish)
  • Hawkins Reservoir: April 26-30 (1,680 fish)
  • Bear River at Oneida Narrows: April 26-30 (1,000 fish)

Here is a quick summary of what you need to know about some of these fun fisheries!

Bannock Reservoir: Located within the Portneuf Wellness Complex near the county fairgrounds in Pocatello, this community park offers trout fishing at a 6-acre pond with many recreational amenities nearby. There are sand volleyball courts, a playground, soccer fields, basketball courts, a swimming area with beach, running and biking trails, and an amphitheater for community events. Multiple docks provide fishing access at the pond.

Chesterfield Reservoir: Known for BIG fish, this 1200-acre reservoir in Caribou County is a popular spot to plan a great fishing trip.

Crowthers Reservoir: Tucked away on the northern edge of Malad City, this 23-acre reservoir provides a nice local fishing spot.

Crystal Springs Pond: This 5-acre, spring-fed pond in Springfield offers good fishing opportunity for all ages and abilities. A large parking area and paved path around the pond provides easy access.

Edson Fichter Pond: This 3-acre pond is located just minutes from downtown Pocatello and offers local anglers of all ages a convenient escape close to home. Nestled within the 40-acre Edson Fichter Nature Area, this pond features several docks and a trail for access around the pond. Your dog is welcome to be your fishing buddy — if leashed while at the pond and on the trails. However, if they need to cool off or would like to practice their retrieving skills, there is a “puppy pond” built just for them on the same property. 

Hawkins Reservoir: Located near Downey, this 40-acre reservoir provides good trout fishing opportunities for Yellowstone cutthroat trout, rainbows and cutbows. Bring your boat or fish from the banks. The Bureau of Land Management manages nearby amenities including campsites, picnic shelters, and picnic tables.

Jensens Grove Pond: This 55-acre pond is located within Jensen Grove Park along the greenbelt in the heart of Blackfoot. Park activities and facilities nearby also include a skate park, playground, restrooms and picnic areas.

Weston Creek Reservoir: Located about 9 miles southeast of Malad City, this 111-acre fishery is a great place to catch a trout, but you may want to bring along your bass gear as well.

The number of trout actually released may be altered by weather, water conditions, equipment problems or schedule changes. If delays occur, trout will be stocked when conditions become favorable.

Fish and Game schedules big game measuring day in Southeast Idaho

It’s time to see how your latest trophy animal measures up! Idaho Fish and Game is hosting its annual Big Game Measuring Day on March 24 at the Southeast Regional Office located at 1345 Barton Road in Pocatello. Measuring for Boone & Crockett (rifle/pistol), Pope & Young (archery) and Longhunter Society (muzzleloader) will be conducted by certified measurers for entry into the big game record books. The service is free.

Interested members of the public may bring their antlers, horns, and/or skulls to the regional office in Pocatello on March 23 by 5 p.m. but no later than 9 a.m. March 24.

Items brought for measuring must be free of flesh and skin, and must have been air-dried for 60 days. Please note that air-drying is not the same as freezer storage.

Information required at the time of drop-off includes: hunter name; date of harvest; location of harvest, including big game unit, county and state; owner name, address and telephone number; and guide’s name and address, if applicable.

Idaho Fish and Game has implemented health and safety protocols associated with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Stay Healthy Order. Patrons entering the building are asked to use the marked entrances and exits, to adhere to social distancing guidelines of 6 feet or greater, and to wear a mask.

All items must be picked up sometime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on March 25, unless special arrangements are made to pick up items at a different time.

Not sure your item is record worthy? Bring it on by anyway!

For more information, contact the Fish and Game office in Pocatello at 208-232-4703.

Fall hunting fun is here — are you ready?

Hunting seasons are upon us in Idaho with opening day for general archery season starting on Sunday. Here are some things to keep in mind as you get ready for your fall hunting adventures.

— New this fall, the pheasant stocking program has been expanded in Southeast Idaho to include the Portneuf Wildlife Management Area south of Pocatello near Inkom. This makes two WMAs in the Southeast Region at which pheasant hunters will be able to pursue their quarry, the other being Sterling WMA near Aberdeen which has been traditionally stocked for years. More information about this expanded stocking program will be coming soon.

— Also new this fall is an opportunity for 50 hunters to pursue tundra swans in Benewah, Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai counties. The season runs from Oct. 19 through Dec. 31. Tags went on sale on Aug. 1 and are sold out. If you were successful in buying a swan tag, check out Fish and Game’s swan hunting orientation course, which can be found online at idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/swan/course. This experimental hunt will provide a hunting opportunity for swans for at least three years. After that period, the hunt could become a continued opportunity for swan hunters upon approval by the Pacific Flyway Council and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

— The big game hunting outlook in the Southeast Region should be similar to last fall. A detailed hunting forecast will be coming out in the next couple of weeks.

— The results for the second controlled hunt application period are not out yet, but will be soon. Any tags leftover from the second drawing will be sold first-come, first-served on Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. Leftover tags can be purchased online, at any license vendor, or at any Idaho Fish and Game regional office.

— Remember, if you have a tag you wish to exchange, don’t wait too long. Once a season has started for the hunt for which you have your tag, exchanging that tag is not possible.

— Figuring out where to hunt is one of the biggest hurdles new hunters face, and Idaho Fish and Game has produced a three-part video tutorial to help guide hunters through the process of finding a place to hunt big game. The series will be featured on Fish and Game’s recently-launched website, gohuntidaho.org, which contains a wealth of information for hunters.

— Hunter education will continue to be offered online through the end of the year without the in-person field day requirement. Bowhunter education is also offered online. For access to online courses, visit idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/education. No regular in-person hunter or bowhunter education classes are being offered at this time, however, the Southeast Region is preparing to offer an in-person trapper education class this fall.

— Those who like to hunt wild turkey should take note that Unit 71 has been added to the list of units in the Southeast Region for either-sex general turkey season, and the season has been extended. This general turkey season is for units 71, 73, 74, 75, 77, and 78 and runs Sept. 15 through Nov. 30.

— Ever wonder what the most common hunting violations are? Check out this list, and make sure you don’t make one of these mistakes in the field this year.

Wrong class license: It is unlawful for any person to purchase and possess a license of the wrong class. This is commonly individuals who are not residents of Idaho purchasing Idaho resident licenses.

Possession/transportation of big game without evidence of sex: Failure to leave evidence of sex naturally attached to the carcass, largest portion of meat if boned or hide for mountain lion, black bear and wolf.

Unlawful take: It is the hunter’s responsibility to know the season open and close dates, hunt area boundaries, which species and sex may be taken, authorized methods of take such as archery, muzzleloader and any weapon hunt, and what license, tag and/or permit is required.

Violate Forest Service road/area closures: The US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management establish designated routes in Idaho’s National Forests and BLM lands. Please pay attention to the current Motorized Vehicle Use Maps for the areas you hunt.

Hunt without a tag or with an invalid tag: It is the hunter’s responsibility to know the species and sex their tag is valid for, whether the tag is for a controlled hunt or a general hunt, which zone and dates the elk tag is valid for and hunt area boundaries.

Hopefully this information helps gets you both prepared and excited for your upcoming fall adventures. Don’t forget to check out the current Idaho seasons and rules brochures for your hunts this fall and winter. Brochures are available at license vendors and online at idfg.idaho.gov.

Fall hunting fun is here — are you ready?

Hunting seasons are upon us in Idaho with opening day for general archery season starting on Sunday. Here are some things to keep in mind as you get ready for your fall hunting adventures.

— New this fall, the pheasant stocking program has been expanded in Southeast Idaho to include the Portneuf Wildlife Management Area south of Pocatello near Inkom. This makes two WMAs in the Southeast Region at which pheasant hunters will be able to pursue their quarry, the other being Sterling WMA near Aberdeen which has been traditionally stocked for years. More information about this expanded stocking program will be coming soon.

— Also new this fall is an opportunity for 50 hunters to pursue tundra swans in Benewah, Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai counties. The season runs from Oct. 19 through Dec. 31. Tags went on sale on Aug. 1 and are sold out. If you were successful in buying a swan tag, check out Fish and Game’s swan hunting orientation course, which can be found online at idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/swan/course. This experimental hunt will provide a hunting opportunity for swans for at least three years. After that period, the hunt could become a continued opportunity for swan hunters upon approval by the Pacific Flyway Council and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

— The big game hunting outlook in the Southeast Region should be similar to last fall. A detailed hunting forecast will be coming out in the next couple of weeks.

— The results for the second controlled hunt application period are not out yet, but will be soon. Any tags leftover from the second drawing will be sold first-come, first-served on Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. Leftover tags can be purchased online, at any license vendor, or at any Idaho Fish and Game regional office.

— Remember, if you have a tag you wish to exchange, don’t wait too long. Once a season has started for the hunt for which you have your tag, exchanging that tag is not possible.

— Figuring out where to hunt is one of the biggest hurdles new hunters face, and Idaho Fish and Game has produced a three-part video tutorial to help guide hunters through the process of finding a place to hunt big game. The series will be featured on Fish and Game’s recently-launched website, gohuntidaho.org, which contains a wealth of information for hunters.

— Hunter education will continue to be offered online through the end of the year without the in-person field day requirement. Bowhunter education is also offered online. For access to online courses, visit idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/education. No regular in-person hunter or bowhunter education classes are being offered at this time, however, the Southeast Region is preparing to offer an in-person trapper education class this fall.

— Those who like to hunt wild turkey should take note that Unit 71 has been added to the list of units in the Southeast Region for either-sex general turkey season, and the season has been extended. This general turkey season is for units 71, 73, 74, 75, 77, and 78 and runs Sept. 15 through Nov. 30.

— Ever wonder what the most common hunting violations are? Check out this list, and make sure you don’t make one of these mistakes in the field this year.

Wrong class license: It is unlawful for any person to purchase and possess a license of the wrong class. This is commonly individuals who are not residents of Idaho purchasing Idaho resident licenses.

Possession/transportation of big game without evidence of sex: Failure to leave evidence of sex naturally attached to the carcass, largest portion of meat if boned or hide for mountain lion, black bear and wolf.

Unlawful take: It is the hunter’s responsibility to know the season open and close dates, hunt area boundaries, which species and sex may be taken, authorized methods of take such as archery, muzzleloader and any weapon hunt, and what license, tag and/or permit is required.

Violate Forest Service road/area closures: The US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management establish designated routes in Idaho’s National Forests and BLM lands. Please pay attention to the current Motorized Vehicle Use Maps for the areas you hunt.

Hunt without a tag or with an invalid tag: It is the hunter’s responsibility to know the species and sex their tag is valid for, whether the tag is for a controlled hunt or a general hunt, which zone and dates the elk tag is valid for and hunt area boundaries.

Hopefully this information helps gets you both prepared and excited for your upcoming fall adventures. Don’t forget to check out the current Idaho seasons and rules brochures for your hunts this fall and winter. Brochures are available at license vendors and online at idfg.idaho.gov.

Fall hunting fun is just around the corner — are you ready?

Hunting seasons are upon us in Idaho with opening day for general archery season starting on Aug. 30. Here are some things to keep in mind as you get ready for your fall hunting adventures.

— New this fall, the pheasant stocking program has been expanded in Southeast Idaho to include the Portneuf Wildlife Management Area south of Pocatello near Inkom. This makes two WMAs in the Southeast Region at which pheasant hunters will be able to pursue their quarry, the other being Sterling WMA near Aberdeen which has been traditionally stocked for years. More information about this expanded stocking program will be coming soon.

— Also new this fall is an opportunity for 50 hunters to pursue tundra swans in Benewah, Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai counties. The season runs from Oct. 19 through Dec. 31. Tags went on sale on Aug. 1 and are sold out. If you were successful in buying a swan tag, check out Fish and Game’s swan hunting orientation course, which can be found online at idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/swan/course. This experimental hunt will provide a hunting opportunity for swans for at least three years. After that period, the hunt could become a continued opportunity for swan hunters upon approval by the Pacific Flyway Council and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

— The big game hunting outlook in the Southeast Region should be similar to last fall. A detailed hunting forecast will be coming out in the next couple of weeks.

— The results for the second controlled hunt application period are not out yet, but will be soon. Any tags leftover from the second drawing will be sold first-come, first-served on Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. Leftover tags can be purchased online, at any license vendor, or at any Idaho Fish and Game regional office.

— Remember, if you have a tag you wish to exchange, don’t wait too long. Once a season has started for the hunt for which you have your tag, exchanging that tag is not possible.

— Figuring out where to hunt is one of the biggest hurdles new hunters face, and Idaho Fish and Game has produced a three-part video tutorial to help guide hunters through the process of finding a place to hunt big game. The series will be featured on Fish and Game’s recently-launched website, gohuntidaho.org, which contains a wealth of information for hunters.

— Hunter education will continue to be offered online through the end of the year without the in-person field day requirement. Bowhunter education is also offered online. For access to online courses, visit idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/education. No regular in-person hunter or bowhunter education classes are being offered at this time, however, the Southeast Region is preparing to offer an in-person trapper education class this fall.

— Those who like to hunt wild turkey should take note that Unit 71 has been added to the list of units in the Southeast Region for either-sex general turkey season, and the season has been extended. This general turkey season is for units 71, 73, 74, 75, 77, and 78 and runs Sept. 15 through Nov. 30.

— Ever wonder what the most common hunting violations are? Check out this list, and make sure you don’t make one of these mistakes in the field this year.

Wrong class license: It is unlawful for any person to purchase and possess a license of the wrong class. This is commonly individuals who are not residents of Idaho purchasing Idaho resident licenses.

Possession/transportation of big game without evidence of sex: Failure to leave evidence of sex naturally attached to the carcass, largest portion of meat if boned or hide for mountain lion, black bear and wolf.

Unlawful take: It is the hunter’s responsibility to know the season open and close dates, hunt area boundaries, which species and sex may be taken, authorized methods of take such as archery, muzzleloader and any weapon hunt, and what license, tag and/or permit is required.

Violate Forest Service road/area closures: The US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management establish designated routes in Idaho’s National Forests and BLM lands. Please pay attention to the current Motorized Vehicle Use Maps for the areas you hunt.

Hunt without a tag or with an invalid tag: It is the hunter’s responsibility to know the species and sex their tag is valid for, whether the tag is for a controlled hunt or a general hunt, which zone and dates the elk tag is valid for and hunt area boundaries.

Hopefully this information helps gets you both prepared and excited for your upcoming fall adventures. Don’t forget to check out the current Idaho seasons and rules brochures for your hunts this fall and winter. Brochures are available at license vendors and online at idfg.idaho.gov.

August fish stocking schedule for Southeast Idaho

Grab your fishing pole, pack the cooler, and don’t forget your fishing license. Personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s hatcheries in the Southeast Region will be releasing over 6,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during August. Fish on!

  • Cub River at Willow Flat Campground: Aug. 3-7 (500 fish)
  • Kelly Park Pond: Aug. 3-7 (250 fish)
  • Montpelier Creek: Aug. 3-7 (500 fish)
  • Montpelier Rearing Pond: Aug. 3-7 (250 fish)
  • Portneuf River, below Pebble and above Lava Hot Springs: Aug. 3-7 (1,250 fish)
  • East Fork Rock Creek: Aug. 10-14 (1,000 fish)
  • Cub River at Willow Flat Campground: Aug. 17-21 (500 fish)
  • Kelly Park Pond: Aug. 17-21 (250 fish)
  • Montpelier Creek: Aug. 17-21 (500 fish)
  • Montpelier Rearing Pond: Aug. 17-21 (250 fish)
  • Bloomington Creek: Aug. 17-21 (200 fish)
  • East Fork Rock Creek: Aug. 24-28 (750 fish)

The number of trout actually released may be altered by weather, water conditions, equipment problems or schedule changes. If delays occur, trout will be stocked when conditions become favorable.

For maps of these fishing locations and other angling destinations in Idaho, visit the IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner.

March trout stocking schedule for Idaho’s Southeast Region

Is it that time of year again? Yes, it’s fish stocking time! Personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s hatcheries in the Southeast Region will be releasing over 21,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at various locations during March.

Here is the stocking schedule:

  • Bannock Reservoir at the Portneuf Wellness Complex: March 16 to 20 (500 fish)
  • Bannock Reservoir at the Portneuf Wellness Complex: March 30 to April 3 (500 fish)
  • Bear River (Oneida Narrows at Red Point and first bridge below Oneida Dam): March 9 to 30 (750 fish)
  • Bear River (below Alexander Dam): March 16 to 20 (250 fish)
  • Bear River (Oneida Narrows at Red Point and first bridge below Oneida Dam): March 23 to 27 (750 fish)
  • Crystal Springs Pond: March 16 to 20 (250 fish)
  • Edson Fichter Pond: March 16 to 20 (625 fish)

The number of trout actually released may be altered by weather, water conditions, equipment problems or schedule changes. If delays occur, trout will be stocked when conditions become favorable.

March trout stocking schedule for Idaho’s Southeast Region

Is it that time of year again? Yes, it’s fish stocking time! Personnel from Idaho Fish and Game’s hatcheries in the Southeast Region will be releasing over 21,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at various locations during March.

Here is the stocking schedule:

  • Bannock Reservoir at the Portneuf Wellness Complex: March 16 to 20 (500 fish)
  • Bannock Reservoir at the Portneuf Wellness Complex: March 30 to April 3 (500 fish)
  • Bear River (Oneida Narrows at Red Point and first bridge below Oneida Dam): March 9 to 30 (750 fish)
  • Bear River (below Alexander Dam): March 16 to 20 (250 fish)
  • Bear River (Oneida Narrows at Red Point and first bridge below Oneida Dam): March 23 to 27 (750 fish)
  • Crystal Springs Pond: March 16 to 20 (250 fish)
  • Edson Fichter Pond: March 16 to 20 (625 fish)

The number of trout actually released may be altered by weather, water conditions, equipment problems or schedule changes. If delays occur, trout will be stocked when conditions become favorable.

Idaho Master Naturalist open house and introductory meeting set for Feb. 13 in Pocatello

POCATELLO — You may have heard of Master Gardeners, Master Instructors, Master’s Degrees, masterpieces or have a MasterCard in your wallet. But do you know what a Master Naturalist is?

An Idaho Master Naturalist is a person who enjoys nature, outdoor recreation, supporting conservation and is interested in continually learning more about the natural world around them. It is someone who then channels his or her skills, interests and energy to volunteer at nature centers, helps biologists collect data, monitors wildlife, assists at parks and natural areas, helps with fishing or hunting clinics, participates in habitat projects or contributes to many other conservation-related efforts. An Idaho Master Naturalist can be a teacher, farmer, hunter, angler, birdwatcher, retired professional or homemaker — perhaps you!

The High Desert Chapter of the Idaho Master Naturalists is now recruiting new members and will hold an open house and introductory meeting on Feb. 13. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the Southeast Regional Fish and Game Office at 1345 Barton Road in Pocatello.

To earn the title of Idaho Master Naturalist, an individual completes 40 hours of hands-on training in areas focused on Idaho’s ecology, plants, animals and natural systems taught by experts in their fields. You don’t need to have an education or background in science, just the desire to learn and the enthusiasm to volunteer.

This first class is free of charge. For interested individuals who desire to become certified Idaho Master Naturalists, additional trainings and classes will be offered. The total cost for the certification process is $80 per person to cover supplies and materials. And, later in the year, much of the training will be spent outside in the great outdoors!

In the US, there are over 30 states with Master Naturalist programs. To date, Idaho has eight Master Naturalist chapters throughout the state, including the High Desert Chapter here in Southeast Idaho, and interest in starting new chapters is growing.

Though Idaho Fish and Game coordinates the state’s Master Naturalist Program, it is not solely a Fish and Game program. It is a program that belongs to the volunteers who drive it and donate their services to various agencies, organizations, and communities throughout Idaho.

So what does this program mean for Idaho?

Idaho Master Naturalist Program aims to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to actively work toward stewardship of Idaho’s natural environment. Furthermore, agencies like Idaho Fish and Game benefit from having skilled volunteers like Master Naturalists in the community. Volunteers are not only critical to completing important projects and tasks, their donated hours often serve as match for securing grants and other funding sources. Simply put, volunteerism helps Idaho Fish and Game and other agencies stretch their dollars further and do their jobs better.

If you would like more information on the Idaho Master Naturalists Program, the upcoming training in Pocatello, or if you have a need for these specialized volunteers, contact Tessa Atwood at the Southeast Regional Fish and Game Office in Pocatello at 208-232-4703 or visit idfg.idaho.gov/master-naturalist.