Idaho Regulation Changes 2025

Idaho Fish and Game extended the cougar (mountain lion) hunting season by two weeks in 9 management units for 2025-26, extending the season closure from March 31 to April 14 in those units. Population surveys in the affected units indicate cougar numbers are above management objectives, and the extended season gives hunters additional opportunity during late winter when lions are more easily tracked in snow. The extension applies only to the spring portion of the season and does not affect fall season dates. Hound hunting with dogs is permitted throughout the extended period.

Idaho Fish and Game extended the fall steelhead fishing season on Snake River tributaries by 30 days for 2025, running through the end of January 2026 in select rivers. The extension is based on improved run forecasts from Columbia River adult fish count data and aims to provide additional angling opportunity during a year when steelhead returns are projected to be above the 10-year average. Extended season dates apply to the Clearwater, Salmon, and Little Salmon rivers. All steelhead must be adipose-fin-clipped (hatchery fish) to be retained; wild steelhead are catch-and-release only.

Idaho Fish and Game implemented unlimited wolf harvest quotas in Zones 1 and 2 with year-round hunting and trapping seasons effective 2025, following legislative direction to maximize management flexibility in areas with documented livestock depredation. The accompanying simplification of the depredation permit process reduces paperwork for ranchers and IDFG personnel while maintaining data collection on depredation events. Gray wolves in Idaho remain a state-managed species following delisting. All wolf harvest must still be tagged and reported within 24 hours through the IDFG game check system.