Idaho Fish and Game Magic Valley

04/30/2026

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

04/23/2026

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

04/07/2026

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.....

03/30/2026

An instructor-led hunter and bowhunter combination course will be held the week of April 20 at the Buhl Church of Nazarene.

This interactive course will certify students in both hunter and bowhunter education and is designed for youth 9 years of age or anyone new to hunting. Students will gain hands-on experience with fi****ms and bows, and will learn about hunting laws and ethics, responsibility to landowners, wildlife identification, survival skills, first aid, and wildlife management.

Space is limited, and advanced registration is required by registering online on Fish and Game’s website or by visiting any Fish and Game office. Cost is $8.00 when registering online. For more information, contact the Magic Valley Regional at (208) 324-4359.

Register here: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/241577

An instructor-led hunter and bowhunter combination course will be held the week of April 20 at the Buhl Church of Nazarene.

03/30/2026

The Magic Valley Region is home to two of the state’s three managed walleye fisheries: Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir and Oakley Reservoir. Here's an update on walleye populations in those managed fisheries, and get tips on how to fish for walleye at the link below.

The Magic Valley Region is home to two of the state’s three managed walleye fisheries: Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir and Oakley Reservoir. Here's an update on walleye populations in those managed fisheries, and get tips on how to fish for walleye.

03/23/2026

Hatchery trout stocking operations will not occur at Mormon Reservoir and Little Camas Reservoir for the 2026 season due to low water levels. Hatchery trout originally intended for Mormon and Little Camas reservoirs will be stocked elsewhere in the Magic Valley Region to provide additional opportunity for anglers.

Hatchery trout stocking operations will not occur at Mormon Reservoir and Little Camas Reservoir for the 2026 season due to low water levels. Hatchery trout originally intended for Mormon and Little Camas Reservoirs will be stocked elsewhere in the Magic Valley Region to provide additional opportuni...

03/10/2026

Our office is hiring a customer service representative.

The successful candidate will work in our Magic Valley Regional Office in Jerome. It is a year-round benefited, temporary position and is expected to work up to 30 hours per week.

This position provides customer service via phone or in person with both external customers and internal staff members; deciphers department regulations to assist customers with their hunting, fishing, and trapping questions; needs to be able to physically handle dead animals; performs a wide range of office support functions using independent judgment in applying existing policies, rules, legislation, and procedures to complete assignments; responds to non-routine inquiries and explains department services, policies, procedures, and rationale for decisions to customers; and more.

👉 See the full job description and how to apply here: https://idfg.idaho.gov/job/159800

03/09/2026

🎣 2026 Anderson Ranch Reservoir kokanee outlook

With winter coming to a close, many anglers are preparing for the start of spring fishing. In the Magic Valley Region, April and May traditionally mark the beginning of kokanee season, and anglers will once again turn their attention to Anderson Ranch Reservoir.

The 2026 kokanee fishery at Anderson Ranch Reservoir is expected to be very similar to what anglers experienced in 2025. Biologists anticipate higher-than-average catch rates of medium-sized kokanee throughout the season, providing consistent opportunities for anglers.

In recent years, kokanee abundance in Anderson Ranch Reservoir has increased, resulting in improved fishing success. Catch rates have rebounded compared to the 2020–2022 period, when kokanee numbers were low, and anglers reported slow catch rates of larger fish. Strong year-classes in 2023, 2024, and 2025 have contributed to higher kokanee abundance, supporting the higher catch rates of 10-13” kokanee anglers have been seeing while on the water.

🔗 Read more of the Anderson Ranch Reservoir kokanee outlook at the link in the comments.

03/02/2026

Looking for something to do over spring break? We are offering hunter education classes in Hailey, Jerome, and Twin Falls over spring break.

Preregistration is required. The cost of the class is $8 per student.

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟒-𝟐𝟓: 𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐲
Blaine County Community Campus.
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Register here: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/240664

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟑-𝟐𝟕: 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐞
Idaho Fish and Game Magic Valley Regional Office, Hunter Education classroom
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Register here: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/239813

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟔-𝟐𝟖: 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬
Lighthouse Christian School
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Register here: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/240428

Idaho Fish and Game's Magic Valley Region will be offering three instructor-led hunter education classes during spring break week, March 23 through March 28.

02/18/2026

Instructor-led hunter education classes are open for registration, with more opportunities coming available in the months ahead.

Completing a hunter education class now paves the way for many exciting opportunities in the 2026 hunting season.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬?

• Anyone born on or after January 1, 1975
• Has never held a valid hunting license

Pre-registration is required, and classes do tend to fill quickly. If you have been waiting to sign up, now is the time.

𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬

• March 2: Shoshone High School: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/240243
• March 2: Murtaugh: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/241720
• March 12: Rupert Outdoor Range: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/241128
• March 23: Magic Valley Regional Hunter Education Center – Jerome: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/239813
• March 24: Blaine County Community Campus – Hailey: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/240664
• March 26: Lighthouse Christian School – Twin Falls: https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/240428

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫-𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞?

Learn from experienced instructors: Instructor-led courses give students the chance to ask questions, get clarification, and explore topics beyond what’s covered in the Hunter Education manual. These courses offer meaningful, face-to-face instruction from knowledgeable hunters—something you simply can’t get from an online-only class.

𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬-𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: In-person courses include a practical, hands-on component that online courses can’t replicate. While both formats cover the same material, instructor-led classes allow students to apply what they’ve learned with direct guidance and demonstrations from certified Hunter Education instructors.

As part of every instructor-led course (including hybrid options), students practice safe firearm handling using inert fi****ms in a classroom setting. Instruction focuses on real-world scenarios that commonly lead to hunting-related accidents, helping students build safe habits and confidence.

𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Instructor-led hunter education certification courses are available for just $8.