Flooding Affects Southwest Idaho Free Fishing Day Events

Flooding in southwest Idaho has forced some Free Fishing Day events to be canceled and others moved to more suitable locations. Free Fishing Day is June 12 across the entire state. In McCall, Lake Fork Creek has inundated Rowland's Pond forcing the Free Fishing Day event to be canceled at that location. "We simply don't have another suitable location for holding the event at this time," Fish and Game fisheries manager Dale Allen said. Other Free Fishing Day events scheduled for the area - Kimberland Meadows Pond in New Meadows and Fischer Pond in Cascade - will go on as scheduled. With the Payette River at flood stage in and around Emmett, the Free Fishing Day event scheduled for Ed's Pond has been moved to Sawyers' Ponds in the same community. "The rainbow trout destined for stocking in Ed's Pond will be rerouted to Sawyers' for Free Fishing Day," Fish and Game fisheries manager Jeff Dillon said. Just downstream, the Kids' Conservation Day at Atwood Ponds near Payette has also been cancelled due to severe flooding at that location. Whether weekend plans call for attending a local Free Fishing Day event or just fishing a favorite location, anglers are encouraged to focus their attention on still water. "Many rivers and streams in southwest Idaho are running full and fast right now," Fish and Game conservation educator Evin Oneale said. "The high water makes for poor fishing conditions and is extremely dangerous; anglers are encouraged to find a local pond, lake or reservoir to enjoy until flood waters subside." For more information regarding Free Fishing Day events, please contact the Fish and Game McCall office at 208-634-8137 or the Nampa office at 208-465-8465.