Come to Idaho, catch history: The record-shattering fishing season taking over the Gem State's waters

Idaho is setting a fast pace for fishing records in 2026, with 11 new state records in just six months across the Panhandle, high desert, and mountains near Moore. The streak spans catches from an 8-inch sunfish to a 49-inch northern pike and a 20-pound trout, taken by anglers ranging from age 5 upward. Among the latest, on June 25 at Crane Falls Reservoir, 8-year-old Quinn Rodriguez and her 5-year-old sister landed a 9 1/8-inch pumpkinseed-bluegill hybrid; Idaho Fish and Game confirmed it as a state record for both girls. Earlier, on June 20, Wade Jensen caught a 16.7-inch Arctic grayling on Fishpole Lake for a new catch-and-release state record. The report also highlights a 49.75-inch northern pike on June 13 near Post Falls.