Idaho Fish and Game

What Idaho Fish and Game does

Idaho Fish and Game, officially the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, is the state government agency of Idaho responsible for managing fish and wildlife resources across the state, founded in 1909 with the construction of the Sandpoint Fish Hatchery. The agency serves resident and non-resident hunters, anglers, wildlife education participants, and conservation stakeholders through seven regional offices (Panhandle, Clearwater, Southwest, Magic Valley, Southeast, Upper Snake, Salmon) headquartered in Boise. Its core portfolio includes license/tag/permit sales (hunting, fishing, controlled hunts, specialty permits), digital trip-planning tools (Hunt Planner, Fishing Planner), and an electronic salmon and steelhead tagging system delivered via the GoOutdoorsIdaho mobile app and website. Underlying technology centers on the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Information System (IFWIS), a GIS-backed data and mapping platform, supplemented by live webcams (osprey cam), online stocking schedules, and species observation reporting.

The agency operates fish hatcheries and a statewide stocking program that released over 1 million captive-bred kokanee fingerlings and approximately 240,000 catchable rainbow trout monthly during peak seasons, and manages hundreds of thousands of acres of wildlife management areas (including a recent 280-acre Tex Creek WMA expansion) plus 400+ recreation sites. It maintains three educational facilities — MK Nature Center (Boise), WaterLife Discovery Center (Sandpoint), and Lewiston Wildlife Habitat Area — and publishes the Wildlife Express children's newsletter. Enforcement operations investigate wildlife crimes (poaching tip line: 1-800-632-5999) and conduct population management activities such as elk relocations and wildlife underpass construction with the Idaho Transportation Department.

The agency's revenue model is structured as a public-sector funding mechanism rather than commercial sales: license fees, tag fees, controlled-hunt application fees, federal excise taxes on hunting/fishing equipment, state appropriations, and donations funneled through the supporting Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation 501(c)(3). Pricing is publicly disclosed and tiered by residency (resident vs. non-resident), species, and hunt type (general season OTC vs. controlled draw), with one-time license purchases, specialty permits (archery, muzzleloader, salmon/steelhead), and hunter education ($8 registration) as the primary monetization vectors. Distribution spans self-serve online, mobile app, phone (800-554-8685), seven regional offices, and authorized license vendors throughout the state.

Name

Idaho Fish and Game

Legal name

Idaho Department of Fish and Game

Website

https://idfg.idaho.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1909

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is a state government agency, founded in 1909, that manages Idaho's fish and wildlife resources. It serves resident and non-resident hunters, anglers, and conservation stakeholders through license sales, tags, permits, hatchery programs, and 400+ recreation sites across seven regional offices statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

State Wildlife Management

NAICS

Fishing, Hunting and Trapping (114), Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries (112511)

SIC

Fishing, Hunting And Trapping (900)

akta.pro primary industry

Aquaculture & Fish Health Services (AFAEANAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aquaculture & Fisheries Operations (EDAOAOAK)

Keywords

• Wildlife management
• Hunting licenses
• Fishing licenses
• Fish hatchery operations
• Conservation education

Headquarters

HQ city

Boise

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hunting and Fishing Licenses: Revenue from sale of hunting and fishing licenses to residents and non-residents. Licenses are required for hunting and fishing activities in Idaho.
2. Tags (Big Game, Elk, Deer, etc.): Revenue from sale of tags for big game hunting including deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and controlled hunt tags.
3. Permits and Special Authorizations: Revenue from permits such as archery permits, muzzleloader permits, salmon/steelhead permits, swan permits, and other special use permits.
4. Facility and Education Donations: Donations received through Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation for education centers and programs including WaterLife Discovery Center and MK Nature Center.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Idaho Fish and Game is a state government agency that issues hunting and fishing licenses, tags, and permits to residents and non-residents, operates fish hatcheries and stocking programs that release hundreds of thousands of trout and over one million kokanee fingerlings annually, manages millions of acres of wildlife management areas and 400+ recreation sites, enforces wildlife laws, and provides hunter education and three educational nature centers (MK Nature Center, WaterLife Discovery Center, Lewiston Wildlife Habitat Area). Sales and management are supported by the GoOutdoorsIdaho online licensing platform, the IFWIS data/GIS system, and e-tagging mobile technology.

Product overview

Idaho Fish and Game operates as a state government agency providing a portfolio of outdoor recreation services centered on hunting, fishing, and wildlife conservation. The core offerings include the Hunt Planner and Fishing Planner online tools for trip planning, the Licenses/Tags system for permit sales, and the E-Tagging digital harvest recording system. The agency maintains three educational facilities (MK Nature Center, WaterLife Discovery Center, and Lewiston Wildlife Habitat Area) and publishes the Wildlife Express educational newsletter. Additional services include Hunter Education certification programs, a Controlled Hunt lottery system, the Idaho Species Catalog for wildlife observation reporting, and a Fish Stocking Program. The portfolio functions primarily as an informational and regulatory platform rather than a unified software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WaterLife Discovery Center: A habitat education and interpretive area on the shores of the Pend Oreille River near Sandpoint, Idaho, combining a fish hatchery, nature trails, wildlife watching areas, and underwater viewing opportunities.
• MK Nature Center
• Lewiston Wildlife Habitat Area
• Wildlife Express

Products and services

• Hunt Planner Online planning tool that allows hunters to view seasons, rules, harvest statistics, drawing odds, and controlled hunt results to plan their hunting trips.
• Fishing Planner Online planning tool that helps anglers locate fishing spots, view stocking schedules, and access fishing information across Idaho's regions.
• Licenses, Tags, and Permits Online and in-person sales system for hunting licenses, fishing licenses, tags, and permits including resident, nonresident, and controlled hunt applications.
• E-Tagging Electronic salmon and steelhead harvest recording system available through the GoOutdoorsIdaho app, replacing traditional paper tags for more precise fisheries management.
• Hunter Education Program Mandatory certification program teaching safe gun handling, hunting regulations, ethics, and wildlife identification, including bowhunter education and youth programs.
• Controlled Hunt System Lottery-based system for allocating limited hunting tags for moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and specialty hunts through online application and drawing processes.
• Fish Stocking Program Statewide program stocking catchable rainbow trout and other species into Idaho lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, with schedules published by region.
• MK Nature Center 4.6-acre wildlife education center along the Boise River Greenbelt featuring underwater viewing windows, educational displays, and programs for visitors.
• WaterLife Discovery Center Self-guided habitat education and interpretive center on the Pend Oreille River near Sandpoint, featuring fish hatchery, nature trails, and underwater viewing.
• Lewiston Wildlife Habitat Area Five-acre registered Backyard Wildlife Habitat area within Lewiston city limits featuring paved trails, an underwater viewing window, and an observation gazebo.
• Wildlife Express Newsletter Monthly newsletter for elementary school-age children teaching wildlife species lessons, available as PDF downloads with coordinating activities.
• Idaho Species Catalog Online database enabling users to explore and report wildlife sightings across Idaho including roadkill and species observations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million kokanee fingerlings released from first captive broodstock program
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Idaho Fish and Wildlife FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit 501(c)(3) organization that supports Idaho Fish and Game through fundraising, donations, and grants for conservation and education programs. Hosts the WaterLife Discovery Center donations and other Fish and Game education initiatives.
• Pend Oreille Master Naturalist ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer organization that assists with maintenance of WaterLife Discovery Center facility and grounds, provides environmental outreach events to the local community, and uses the center for chapter meetings.
• Idaho Transportation Department (ITD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead agency for wildlife underpass project on US-30 near Montpelier, including installation of concrete box culverts, bridge, and 6 miles of 8-ft tall fencing.
• Coeur d'Alene TribemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in fisher reintroduction project in the Panhandle Region, cooperating on wildlife management efforts.
• U.S. Army Corps of EngineersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in fisher reintroduction project in the Panhandle Region for wildlife management cooperation.
• Idaho Trappers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in fisher reintroduction project, cooperating on wildlife management.
• Rocky Mountain Elk FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization that provided funding for Tex Creek Wildlife Management Area expansion (280 acres).
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in prescribed burns at Market Lake Wildlife Management Area and wildlife underpass project. Co-closed Boise River WMA due to Claremont Fire.
• US Fish and Wildlife ServicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in WaterLife Discovery Center supporters and Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team for bear research protocols.
• Natural Resources Conservation ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaterLife Discovery Center supporter providing conservation assistance.
• AvistaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaterLife Discovery Center supporter - utility company providing funding for conservation.
• Bonner County Sportsmen's AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaterLife Discovery Center supporter - sportsmen's organization providing community support.
• Lake Pend Oreille School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaterLife Discovery Center supporter - education partner for student field trips and programs.
• Trout UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaterLife Discovery Center supporter - conservation organization focused on coldwater fisheries.
• Safari Club InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaterLife Discovery Center supporter - hunting advocacy organization.
• Greater Sandpoint Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaterLife Discovery Center supporter - business organization supporting local tourism.
• Sandpoint RotaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaterLife Discovery Center supporter - service organization providing volunteer support.
• Friends of the MK Nature CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization supporting MK Nature Center operations, programs, and facility improvements. Manages gift shop and bird seed sales fundraiser.
• Idaho Department of Fish and GamecoreOthersIdaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a supporting 501(c)(3) organization for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, handling donations and grants.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Ducks Unlimited: Major conservation NGO that partners with Idaho Fish and Game on wetland habitat work. Thematically adjacent — comparable conservation mission and partner role, but operates as a private nonprofit rather than a regulator.

Direct peers

• Utah Division of Wildlife Resources: State wildlife division with parallel license, tag, and permit programs; manages fish hatcheries and WMAs. Direct structural peer in the Intermountain West.
• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: Neighboring state fish and wildlife agency operating an analogous license/tag/permit system, fish hatchery network, and regional office structure. Directly comparable in scope and regulatory model.
• Nevada Department of Wildlife: State wildlife agency operating parallel license and tag systems, fisheries management, and habitat programs. Comparable operational structure.
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Pacific Northwest state agency with matching hunting, fishing, and wildlife management programs including salmon/steelhead management — directly comparable to Idaho's fisheries focus.
• Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks: State agency managing hunting, fishing, and wildlife management areas across Montana. Comparable big game and coldwater fisheries programs, with similar tag and permit structures.
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Joint state agency managing hunting, fishing, and state parks in Colorado with parallel license/permit systems, hatchery operations, and WMA network.
• Wyoming Game and Fish Department: Western state wildlife agency with comparable license/tag systems, fish hatchery operations, and Wildlife Management Area infrastructure. Direct structural peer.

Broad incumbents

• California Department of Fish and Wildlife: Larger-scale state fish and wildlife agency with broader portfolio (marine fisheries, environmental protection). Comparable in regulatory model but materially larger in scope and budget.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Federal counterpart covering national wildlife refuges, endangered species, and federal grant programs that fund state agencies like Idaho Fish and Game. Provides the federal excise tax funding mechanism that supplements state license revenue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/IdahoFishGame
• Xx.com/idfg
• Facebookfacebook.com/IdahoFishGame
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/idaho-fish-and-game

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Idaho Fish and Game