Fish and Game trying to rebuild local trout population in wake of drought conditions taking heavy toll

Persistent drought has stressed popular fisheries in southeastern and eastern Idaho, setting up tougher trout fishing in 2026. Despite adequate high-elevation snowpack last winter, warm valley temperatures limited lower-elevation accumulation. Spring and summer brought little additional moisture, and prolonged heat deepened drought conditions. Reservoir levels across the Southeast Region dropped sharply, prompting Idaho Fish and Game to order fish salvages at Glendale, Foster, and Johnson reservoirs. American Falls Reservoir was drawn down to just 3% of capacity.

What anglers should expect

With water levels low and water quality degraded, anglers should anticipate fewer and smaller trout at American Falls Reservoir in 2026 until conditions improve. Under normal water levels, hatchery rai