Idaho Fish and Game Commission to Hold Public Hearing and Business Meeting May 6-7 in Coeur d’Alene
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will convene in Coeur d’Alene on May 6 and 7, 2026, for a two-day meeting that includes a public hearing open to North Idaho residents and a full business session covering migratory bird seasons, shooting range grants, and fisheries management. The meetings will be held at Fish and Game’s Panhandle Regional Office at 2885 W. Kathleen Ave. in Coeur d’Alene.
Public Hearing Open to Kootenai County Residents
The public hearing is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. PDT on May 6 at the Panhandle Regional Office. Residents of Kootenai County and across the North Idaho Panhandle are encouraged to attend and speak directly to commission members on any topic related to Fish and Game matters.
Speakers will be given a three-minute time limit during the public hearing. For those unable to attend in person or who wish to provide more detailed input, written comments will also be accepted. This format gives hunters, anglers, landowners, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts a direct opportunity to weigh in on fish and wildlife management decisions that affect Idaho’s natural resources and local communities.
The public hearing represents one of the more accessible windows for everyday Idahoans to influence state-level decisions on wildlife policy — a function that carries significant weight for the many Kootenai County residents whose livelihoods, recreation, and property interests intersect with Fish and Game regulations.
Key Agenda Items at the Business Meeting
The commission’s business meeting will resume at 8 a.m. PDT on May 7 at the same Coeur d’Alene location. While public comments are not accepted during the business session, the meeting is open to observers and will also be available via live stream through Zoom.
Among the scheduled action items:
Migratory Bird Season Setting: The commission is scheduled to make a final decision on the 2026-27 migratory bird season. This decision directly affects waterfowl hunters throughout Kootenai County and the broader Panhandle region, where lakes, wetlands, and waterways along the Lake Coeur d’Alene corridor provide significant migratory bird habitat each fall.
Shooting Range Grants: The commission is also set to make a final decision on fiscal year 2027 shooting range grants. These grants support Second Amendment rights infrastructure across Idaho by funding the maintenance and improvement of public shooting facilities used by law-abiding gun owners, hunters, and competitive shooters.
Lake Pend Oreille Rainbow Trout Management: Commissioners will receive a presentation on rainbow trout management in Lake Pend Oreille, along with an overview of the Angler Science Program. Fishing is a cornerstone recreational and economic activity throughout North Idaho, and management decisions for Lake Pend Oreille — one of Idaho’s premier fisheries — carry broad interest across the region. Anglers interested in local catch news may also want to review coverage of a local Troy angler who recently set a new Idaho catch-and-release record in the Kootenai River.
How to Participate Remotely
For those unable to attend in person, Fish and Game is offering a remote viewing option. The business meeting will be streamed live via Zoom. The call-in number is 253-215-8782 and the Webinar ID is 912 8782 3590.
Individuals with disabilities who need meeting accommodations may contact the Idaho Department of Fish and Game director’s office at 208-334-5159 or reach the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-377-2529 (TDD).
What Comes Next for North Idaho Outdoors
The May 6-7 meeting in Coeur d’Alene is part of the commission’s regular statewide meeting schedule throughout 2026. Final decisions made at this session on migratory bird seasons and shooting range grants will have direct, near-term impacts on Idaho’s outdoor recreation community heading into the fall hunting season.
Residents are encouraged to review the full agenda and action item details on the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s official website before attending. Those planning to speak at the May 6 public hearing should arrive early and be prepared to limit remarks to three minutes.
For broader Idaho wildlife and natural resource news, additional coverage is available at Idaho News.