Idaho Fish Report

Veterans and active military waterfowl hunt – Feb. 6

Most ODFW wildlife areas will be open for a statewide waterfowl hunt for veterans and active duty military personnel this coming Saturday. Hunters must have all appropriate licenses, stamps and validations, as well as proof of veteran or active duty status. Learn more about this special opportunity.

Best bets for fishing

• Winter steelhead are spread throughout most basins. Fishing conditions vary so be sure to check the zone reports for an update on where you plan to fish.
• Several recent reports suggest ice fishing has been very good in some locations. Remember, ice conditions can change rapidly, so always be sure to test conditions before you go out.
• Winter trout anglers should focus on lower elevation lakes that don’t freeze and that were heavily stocked throughout the year. There should be holdover fish in most of these locations. Focus on low-and-slow presentations that give fish plenty of time to consider your lure.
• Some early season trout stocking has begun in the Willamette Valley. Check the waterbody updates for locations.
• Trout anglers who prefer moving water, should focus on rivers that are open year-round and fish throughout the winter. Likely suspects include the lower Deschutes, Crooked, Metolius, Fall, Blitzen, Chewaucan and Wallowa rivers.    Here are a few tips for winter trout fishing.

Last week to apply for a spring bear tag

Applications are due Feb. 10

Spring bear is a popular “first of the season” hunt. Here are some tips to increase your chances of success.

Sign up for a hunter ed field day

If you were unable to complete a field day last year due to COVID restrictions, you’re not off the hook. The temporary rule expires on March 31, and you’ll still need to complete a field day before you can hunt this fall. Find a field day.

Eastside archery deer hunting goes limited-entry this year

Three expert perspectives on what to expect as all eastern Oregon archery deer hunting will be controlled hunts for 2021.

Apply for your 2021 big game tags

The deadline is May 15, but you can apply anytime to beat the last-minute crunch. You’ll find big game population, past year’s harvest numbers, and other statistics for each hunt here.

Responsible shed hunting

More and more people are discovering shed hunting as a great winter pastime. To help reduce stress to deer and elk, please follow these tips for responsible shed hunting.

Cougar hunters: Don’t forget your 2021 hunting license

A new cougar hunting season began on Jan. 1. If you plan to hunt cougar this winter, be sure you have a 2021 hunting license.