Idaho Fish and Game wants to help you get started fishing, and more important, help you learn the basics so you can do it on your own and enjoy the state's amazing fishing opportunities with your family and friends.
Fish and Game's "Take Me Fishing" trailers will roam the state in spring and summer and will likely stop at a location near you. They are loaded with loaner fishing rods, tackle, bait and staffed by experienced anglers. You can fish for free during the trailer events, all budding anglers have to do is show up at a fishing trailer event with a willingness to learn, and most important, a desire to have fun.
Take Me Fishing trailers events are held on weekends and after work. A fish stocking truck will typically pay a visit to each event site to ensure there are plenty of trout available for anglers to catch. The rules for Take Me Fishing trailer events are simple:
- Anyone who signs up at the trailer does not need a fishing license to fish at the event.
- Fishing equipment can be checked out for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Before and after the event, a fishing license is required for anyone 14 years and older.
Here's a schedule of Take Me Fishing trailer events near you.
Magic Valley Region
- Saturday, June 1, Fairfield Kids Pond, 8 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, June 8, Free Fishing Day, Hagerman & Gavers Lagoon, 8 a.m. to noon
- Wednesday, June 12, Dog Creek, 8 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, June 15, Hagerman Oster #1, 8 a.m. to noon
- Wednesday, June 19, Dierkies Lake, 8 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, June 22, Castle Rock State Park, 8 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, June 29, Rock Creek Park, 8 a.m. to noon
- Wednesday, July 3, Dierkies Lake, 8 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, July 6, Elkhorn Resort, 9 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, July 13, Gavers Lagoon, 8 a.m. to noon
- Wednesday, July 17, Hagerman Oster #1, 8 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, July 20, Penny Lake, 8 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, July 27, Dierkies Lake, 8 a.m. to noon
Southeast, Upper Snake, Salmon Regions
- Saturday, May 25, Edson Fichter Pond, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pocatello
- Tuesday, May 28, Rexburg Nature Park, 5 to 8 p.m., Rexburg
- Saturday, June 1, Lower Gem Dam, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Idaho Falls
- Tuesday, June 4, Edson Fichter Pond, 5 to 8 p.m.,Pocatello
- Saturday, June 8, Free Fishing Day, Becker Pond at Ryder Park, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Idaho Falls
- Tuesday, June 11, Blacktail at Ririe Reservoir, 5 to 8 p.m., Ririe
- Saturday, June 15, Ashton Reservoir, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ashton
- Tuesday, June 18, Bannock Reservoir Portneuf Wellness Complex, 5 to 8 p.m., Pocatello
- Saturday, June 22, Bannock Reservior Portneuf Wellness Complex, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pocatello
- Tuesday, June 25, Sand Creek Pond #4, 5 to 8 p.m., St. Anthony
- Friday, June 28, Jensen Grove, 4 to 8 p.m., Blackfoot
- Saturday, June 29, Mackay Fish Hatchery, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mackay
- Tuesday, July 2, Montpelier Rearing Pond, 5 to 8 p.m., Montpelier
- Saturday, July 6, Crowthers Reservoir, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Malad
- Tuesday, July 9, Island Mill, 5 to 8 p.m., Island Park
- Saturday, July 13, Trail Creek Pond, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Victor
- Tuesday, July 16, Montpelier Rearing Pond, 5 to 8 p.m., Montpelier
- Saturday, July 20, LaMont Reservoir, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Preston
- Tuesday, July 23, Trail Creek Pond, 5 to 8 p.m., Victor
- Saturday, July 27, Blacktail at Ririe Reservoir, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ririe
- Tuesday, July 30, Upper Kelly Park Pond, 5 to 8 p.m., Soda Springs (This event is only open to anglers aged 13 and under. All youth under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult.)
