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American bullfrog fishing opportunity in the Panhandle Region

| August 12, 2021 1:00 AM

By T.J. Ross

Senior Fisheries Research Biologist

For those looking for a new quarry to pursue during the hot summer months, consider fishing or “frigging” for American bullfrogs

Fishing for bullfrogs? Is that a thing?

According to Regional Wildlife Biologist Brandon Flack, it most certainly is! With nothing more than a fishing license, basic fishing gear and a good bullfrog spot, one could be frigging for bullfrogs in no time.

Where to find bullfrogs in the Panhandle Region

Bullfrogs live, grow and reproduce in the warm, shallow and calm waters often found in wetlands, small ponds and sloughs. Such habitats are scattered across the landscape of the Panhandle Region, and many of them are known to hold plenty of bullfrogs.

“There is a good chance bullfrogs will be in most warm, shallow bodies of water in the valleys of northern Idaho,” Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist Casey McCormack said.

If you’re interested in giving frigging a try, check out some of the spots recommended by Fish and Game regional biologists in the Panhandle. This is not an exhaustive list, but it should get you headed in the right direction.

Boundary-Smith Creek WMA

McArthur Lake WMA

Jewel Lake

Kelso Lake

Benewah Lake

Wetland ponds around the St. Joe River and St. Maries River

Albeni Cove, Oden Bay and Cocollala ponds on Pend Oreille WMA

Bare Marsh, Black Rock Slough, and Thompson Slough on Coeur d’Alene River WMA

As an added bonus to having fun and eating well, frigging is a great way to help slow the spread of the American bullfrog. They are not native to Idaho, but they have certainly made their mark. American bullfrogs tend to dominate the habitats where they live, and they often threaten other native frog species by eating their food or actually eating the native frogs. There is no limit on the number of bullfrogs you can harvest, so bring a bucket and fill it with bullfrogs!