Tunnel Pond to Open on April 4-5, 2025

Orofino, Idaho – The Nez Perce Tribe Department of Fisheries Resources Management will be hosting the annual Opening Day Free-fishing event at Tunnel Pond on Friday and Saturday, April 4–5, 2025. Gates open at 8 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. daily. A reduced limit of three fish per angler will be in effect. After these dates, usual regulations and operations resume with permits required for anglers 14 years of age and older. Tunnel Pond will be open to the public April 4 through October 31, 2025, and will initially be stocked with 1,500 rainbow trout. Frequent stocking of Tunnel Pond will continue throughout the season. In addition, the Kids Fishing Day event hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nez Perce Tribe is tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 2, 2025. Veterans Fishing Day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Nez Perce Tribal Trout Fishing Permits are required for all non-tribal anglers ages 14 and older. Permits are available for purchase at Watson’s Market (formerly IGA) in Orofino, The Guide Shop on Riverside in Orofino, Nez Perce Express II, the Tribe’sconvenience store/gas station near Clearwater River Casino, Dale & Jill’s Sporting Goods in Kamiah, or can be purchased online at https://www.nptfishpermits.com. Permits are $5 for a single day, $25 for an Idaho resident annual permit, and $30 for a non-resident annual permit.