Idaho Fish Report

2022-23 game bird hunting forecast

A district-by-district look at how this year’s upland bird and waterfowl seasons are shaping up.

Youth pheasant hunts – still time to register!

Five reasons these hunts are so popular:

• No competition from adults.
• An emphasis on safety.
• A good chance for success – we plant birds!
• Available statewide.
• They’re free!

Learn more about dates, locations and how to register.

Best bets for weekend fishing

If you’ve been enjoying the cooler weather, you can bet fish are liking it even more. While we’re still waiting for some significant rain to get salmon moving, the cooler temps are getting other fish excited about biting.

• Tens of thousands of rainbow trout have been stocked throughout the state this year – and many are still around. Fish that retreated to deeper, cooler water during the summer heat, will head to shallower areas looking for food.
• Trout fishing has improved in several rivers including the Fall and lower Deschutes.
• In the NW Zone, Cape Meares Lake, Coffenbury Lake, Lost Lake, Sunset Lake and Town Lake will be stocked with “trophy” trout this week. These 2–4-pound trout put up a good fight on light gear. 
• On the lower Rogue, half-pounder fishing has pick up thanks to cooler water temperatures, and boat anglers have reported the first catches of coho.
• High elevation, hike-in lakes will be fishable until snow limits access. Fall is a great time to hit these lakes, where you’ll find outstanding fall scenery, aggressive trout looking to bulk up for the winter and, best of all, very few mosquitoes!
• Even bass, crappie and other warmwater fish appreciate the cooler temperatures and should be more active and willing to take your bait. 
• Salmon fishing will reopen Sept. 15 on the lower Columbia River. See the regulation updates page for season details.

Wildfires affecting fishing and hunting access

It’s wildfire season in Oregon, and fires are affecting both hunters and anglers. Our best advice is to know before you go. Check MyODFW.com to help find fire closures and restrictions. Anglers can check the zone sections for closures related to the Cedar Creek Fire in central Oregon and several fires in the Northeast Zone. 

CWD check stations

ODFW will set up chronic wasting disease check stations along major highways during the deer and elk hunting seasons in 2022. With the recent discovery of CWD just 20 miles from the Oregon border, this is one way ODFW is stepping up efforts to contain the spread of CWD to Oregon.