Fish Stocking Updates

Approximately 85,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout will be stocked throughout the state this August.

Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking roughly 85,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this August. Wondering if the stocking trucks are going to be backing up to your favorite fishing hole? We asked our Fish and Game hatchery staff to boil down some of the most notable stocking highlights coming to your local fishery this month.

Many of these fisheries highlighted below are easy to access, family-friendly fishing destinations. All you need to get started is a fishing license and some basic tackle. Annual adult fishing licenses cost around $30, junior licenses (ages 14-17) cost $16, and youth (under 14) fish for free. Go to Fish and Game's online vendor to buy a license.

Crystal Springs Pond – 1,000 rainbow trout

This spring fed pond is always clear and cool! Located near Springfield, this family-friendly pond has a paved walking path and docks for easy fishing access.

Cub River – 500 rainbow trout

Fish are stocked in and around the Willow Flat Campground (50+ sites available), so make a fishing trip here an overnight adventure. To help inform decision making about this fishery, we strongly encourage anglers to report tagged fish that they catch.

Kelly Park Pond – 500 rainbow trout

Located in Soda Springs, accessing this pond requires a short walk, but it offers a great kids’ fishing opportunity. Lace up the boots, grab the fishing poles, and take the kids on a nature walk!

Montpelier Creek – 1,000 rainbow trout

Enjoy good creek fishing and a variety of camping options.

Montpelier Rearing Pond – 500 rainbow trout

This little fishing spot is tucked into a scenic high desert canyon at 6,500 feet in the hills east of Montpelier.

Second Super Hunt drawing will include tags for two elk, two deer, two pronghorn and one moose hunt.

Deadline for the second Super Hunt drawing is Aug. 10. The second Super Hunt drawing will include tags for two elk, two deer, two pronghorn and one moose hunt. A Super Hunt Combo that includes one tag for each of those species will also be drawn. All winners will be notified in mid-August.

Hunters may enter the drawings at license vendors, Fish and Game offices, online or by calling 1-800-554-8685. You can buy as many entries you want for Super Hunts or the Super Hunt Combo. No license is needed to enter a Super Hunt drawing for either residents or nonresidents.

Super Hunt winners get the best of the best by being able to hunt any open hunt in Idaho for the species they draw, general or controlled hunts, until they tag an animal. Any Super Hunt tag is also considered an extra tag so you can still use your general or controlled hunt tag. For more information, including frequently asked questions and photos of previous winners, visit the Super Hunt page on Fish and Game's website.

Second big game controlled hunt drawing application period is August 5-15

Draw results will be posted by August 26.

The application period for Idaho’s second big game controlled hunt drawing runs Aug. 5-15. Any hunter who drew a controlled big game hunt tag has until Aug. 1 to buy it, and those that aren't purchased will be available for a second drawing. To see available big game tags available for the second application period, check out the Controlled Hunt Information webpage. Tags will be listed after Aug. 1 and before the application period starts. 

Tags available in the second drawing include those for deer, elk, pronghorn, and black bear that were not applied for in the first drawing, and those that were not claimed by the Aug. 1 deadline. 

Draw results will be posted by Aug. 26, and any tags left over after that will be sold first-come, first-served on that date at 10 a.m. MDT.

Hunters with a valid 2024 Idaho hunting license may apply for controlled hunts at any Fish and Game office, license vendor, on the Fish and Game mobile app or with a credit card online at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com. There is an additional fee for online and phone orders.

AUGUST 2024

8/1 – DEADLINE to purchase controlled hunt tags (except unlimited and January hunts)

8/1 – ON SALE: Sage-grouse and sandhill crane tags at 10 a.m. MDT

8/5 – OPEN: Second application period for deer, elk, pronghorn, and fall bear controlled hunts

8/6 – ON SALE: Leftover early-season controlled hunt tags at 10 a.m. MDT

8/8 – ON SALE: Second tag and returned tag sale at 10 a.m. MDT

8/10 – DEADLINE to apply for second Super Hunt drawing

8/15 – CLOSED: Second application period for deer, elk, pronghorn, and fall bear controlled hunts

8/26 – ON SALE: Leftover controlled hunt tag sale at 10 a.m. MDT (if available)

8/30 – OPEN: General archery season for deer and elk in most of the state

8/30 – OPEN: Cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare seasons; fall turkey season in most of Idaho; forest grouse season

2025 Art Contest: Design next year’s hard card for Fish and Game licenses

Submissions are due August 31, winners will be chosen by September 5, 2024.

Calling all Idaho artists! 

Idaho Fish and Game is seeking art submissions for the 2025 durable hard card licenses. Each year Idaho Fish and Game issues hard card licenses that fit in your wallet and include collectable art of Idaho’s iconic species. Submission will be taken for bighorn sheep, mountain goat, redband trout and sockeye salmon. One fish and one big game submission will chosen. Each winner will receive a $1,000 for use of their artwork. 

Please see the below requirements to enter your artwork:

• Entries are due by midnight (MDT) August 31, 2024 and should be submitted via email to [email protected]. Winners will be selected buy Sept. 5. Submissions sent after the deadline will not be considered. 

• Design should include one of the following Idaho native species: redband trout, sockeye salmon, bighorn sheep, or mountain goat.

• There is no limit for the number of submissions.

• Designs must be able to incorporate the Idaho Fish and Game “Go Outdoors Idaho” logo in the bottom, right-hand corner (see below)

• Designs must be horizontal meeting the following specs:

o Size: 17-inches by 11-inches with a .125 inch bleed. Final designs will be placed on a durable hard card sized at 3.375 inches wide by 2.125 inches high.

o Resolution: min of 300 dpi

o Color Profile: CMYK

o File formats accepted:

• .psd, .eps, or .ai 

• .pdf - high print quality

• Artist must be willing to sign a professional service agreement for use of the artwork on hard cards and in promotional materials. All entries should include the artist's name, email address, phone number and mailing address. 

Second Super Hunt entry deadline is August 10.

Hunters looking for more opportunity are reminded that the second Super Hunt drawing will be for two elk, two deer, two pronghorn, and one moose hunt. Another Super Hunt Combo that includes one of each species will also be drawn.

Entries are $6 per entry, and $20 for the Super Hunt Combo, and you can enter as many times as you like. Deadline to apply is Aug. 10, and winners will be notified by Aug. 20.

Super Hunt winners can hunt any open hunt for the species they draw, general or controlled hunts. No license is needed to enter a Super Hunt drawing for either residents or nonresidents.

Super Hunt tags are also considered an extra tag, so you can still use your general or controlled hunt tag. For more information, visit the Super Hunt webpage.