Fish and wildlife

Idaho is defined by its fish and wildlife

IWF works tirelessly on proactive efforts to enhance our fish and wildlife populations and hunting and fishing experiences, while defending against the increasing threats of disease, invasive species, pollution, and privatization.

Ensuring hunting opportunity

Hunting is engrained into the fabric of our lives here in Idaho. Maintaining our world-class hunting legacy is a foundation of our effort. We work in several arenas – from the statehouse to on the ground projects – to sustain and enhance populations of big game, waterfowl, upland birds, and furbearing species.

Insuring Diverse Fishing Opportunity

Idaho’s lakes and rivers provide ample opportunity to catch and harvest a diversity of fish species. Warm water species like perch and bass team in our reservoirs. Trout flourish in our alpine lakes and gin-clear streams. Ancient sturgeon lurk in our rivers. Salmon and steelhead swim 900 miles upstream back to their Idaho birthplace. We work to implement policy reflecting Idahoans’ values for species diversity and abundance. Click here to find out more about our campaign to bring back Idaho’s salmon and steelhead.

Making Wildlife a nonpartisan issue

Our political allegiances shouldn’t determine our prescriptions for wildlife management. There is no such thing as a Republican mule deer, a Democrat cutthroat trout, or an Independent black bear – they simply need space, healthy habitat, and the ability to migrate from summering to winter grounds. We unite diverse individuals and organizations who understand that the ultimate goal of our work is abundant and diverse fish and wildlife in the Gem State.

Diseases and Invasive Species

New wildlife diseases and invasive species appear in Idaho all the time, threatening our fish and wildlife and challenging traditional approaches to wildlife management. IWF works hard to ensure that sportsman interests are at the table to help devise innovative, effective solutions to these issues that reduce the risks of disease while protecting wildlife and wild values.