Idaho Fish and Game plans to release over 210,000 catchable-size rainbow trout across the state this October, offering anglers diverse fishing opportunities.
BOISE, Idaho — Idaho anglers looking to spend an orange Fall evening in pursuit of their next catch should consider heading to one of several waters across the state, as Idaho Fish and Game is preparing to release more than 210,000 trout.
Officials said the 210,000 rainbow trout are catchable-size and will be stocked throughout Idaho in October, from the Boise River to beautiful Payette Lake and everywhere in between. More fish could be coming to your favorite fishing hole.
Idaho Fish and Game said its hatchery staff compiled some of the most noteworthy spots for anglers to visit after stocking trout statewide. Here are the highlights provided:
Panhandle Region
Cocolalla Lake – 3,300 Rainbow Trout. This diverse fishery affords anglers the opportunity to catch catfish, bass, perch, crappie, and a variety of trout species.Kelso Lake – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. With easy access to this quiet forested lake, you will find good fishing opportunities from a large dock. It’s a great place for a small boat, kayak, or canoe along Idaho Birding Trail 14 – bring your binoculars!Round Lake – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. Beginners and experts alike will enjoy fishing this scenic lake. The full-feature park offers hiking trails and a swimming beach.Spicer Pond – 800 Rainbow Trout. This is a small, easily accessed pond next to the St. Maries River near the town of St. Maries.
Clearwater Region
Deer Creek Reservoir – 3,000 Rainbow Trout. This beautiful mountain reservoir was built specifically for trout fishing. Rainbow trout are stocked from spring through fall in this remote setting for high catch rates from shore or a boat. This is the home of the state record tiger trout!Deyo Reservoir – 5,000 Rainbow Trout. Nestled amid farms and timber, beautiful Deyo Reservoir provides a great family fishing experience. A maintained trail surrounding the entire reservoir features seven fishing docks and two large fishing peninsulas, making it easy to find a good place to fish. There is also a developed boat ramp, picnic shelter, benches, and two handicap-accessible docks.Elk Creek Reservoir – 3,000 Rainbow Trout. A forested road parallels the entire west side of this reservoir for easy access to fishing areas, with four fishing docks and a boat ramp. The east side of the reservoir provides great boat fishing opportunities where foot access is difficult.Kiwanis Park Pond – 900 Rainbow Trout. This convenient community pond is located in Lewiston next to the Snake River within walking distance of picnic shelters and a playground.Moose Creek Reservoir – 3,000 Rainbow Trout. A shallow lake in rolling timbered hills on Idaho’s Birding Trail, this reservoir is ideal for kayaks and float tubes. A trail surrounds the lake and nine fishing docks provide good shore fishing opportunities. Gas motors are not allowed.Soldiers Meadow Reservoir – 5,000 Rainbow Trout. Located on Webb Creek about 20 miles southeast of Lewiston, this scenic reservoir is popular for rainbow trout and kokanee. It’s well-suited for kayaks, canoes, and small watercraft.Spring Valley Reservoir – 6,000 Rainbow Trout. A maintained trail surrounds the reservoir and fishing docks and platforms increase shoreline access. Amenities include a picnic shelter, benches, picnic tables, handicap fishing access, and a developed boat ramp, but gas motors are not allowed. This is Stop 35 on the Idaho Birding Trail.
Southwest Region
Arrowrock Reservoir – 9,000 Rainbow Trout. This reservoir offers a wide range of fishing opportunities. Fast-growing kokanee and rainbow trout are targeted by most anglers. However, other anglers choose to target smallmouth bass or yellow perch. Be sure to properly identify trout species, as bull trout utilize the reservoir.Boise River, Strawberry Glen to Barber Dam – 1,300 Rainbow TroutBoise River, Middleton to Eagle Road – 1,300 Rainbow TroutCrane Falls Reservoir – 1,200 Rainbow Trout. Located alongside the Snake River in the sagebrush south of Mountain Home, this lake is best fished from small boats and float craft, though several fishing docks are available.Duff Lane Pond – 285 Rainbow Trout. A small ramp is available for launching small boats and float craft, along with two fishing docks. Bass and bluegill are also targeted by anglers.Esther Simplot Pond – 420 Rainbow Trout. Located next to the Boise River, this park offers fishing, walking and biking paths, docks, shelters, a playground and a beach.Kleiner Pond – 540 Rainbow Trout. Located within Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park, there is a large fishing platform and plenty of shoreline access. This is a family-friendly water with paved paths and full-feature city park activities.Lowman Ponds – 360 Rainbow Trout. Enjoy good mountain fishing along the South Fork Payette River.Lucky Peak Reservoir – 4,000 Rainbow Trout. This reservoir is well-known for quality kokanee and rainbow trout fishing. In addition, some anglers choose to focus on smallmouth bass. The reservoir can be accessed at several well-developed sites.Mann Creek Reservoir – 1,400 Rainbow Trout. This reservoir provides opportunity for crappie, largemouth bass and rainbow trout. McDevitt Pond – 540 Rainbow Trout. Located in west Boise’s McDevitt Sports Park, this pond is between Meridian and Eagle at the northwest corner of McMillan and Eagle roads. This small neighborhood pond offers easily accessible fishing to catch trout.Parkcenter Pond – 420 Rainbow Trout. A popular local fishing pond with a paved path alongside docks and tables with maturing trees. This convenient pond is near the greenbelt, the BSU campus, and a variety of restaurants.Payette Greenway Pond – 270 Rainbow Trout. This easily accessible pond along the Payette River offers partially paved access and a variety of fishing options. Near the confluence of the Payette and Snake rivers, this gives anglers the choice of fishing the pond or either river.Riverside Pond – 790 Rainbow Trout. A quiet neighborhood pond right off the Boise Greenbelt, this pond is tucked into the trees off Glenwood Rd. and offers good bank fishing and a large fishing dock.Weiser Community Pond – 300 Rainbow Trout. This community pond offers an easily accessible shoreline and dock fishing near the Weiser River.
Magic Valley Region
Blair Trail Fishing Pond – 2,000 Rainbow Trout. Located on Little Canyon Creek, this is a remote desert water surrounded by sagebrush solitude.Burley Pond – 2,000 Rainbow Trout. Also known as Connor Pond, it’s conveniently located right off I-84.Dog Creek Reservoir – 5,000 Rainbow Trout. Located in Gooding County, check out this video to learn what to expect from this high desert reservoir.Freedom Park Pond – 1,500 Rainbow Trout. This trout pond was built with young anglers in mind!Gavers Lagoon – 1,425 Rainbow Trout. This pond is a high-yield fishery that is stocked frequently, but it is known to get fished out quickly after stocking. We encourage harvest, but please only harvest what you need and consider leaving a few for your fellow anglers.Lake Walcott – 24,000 Rainbow Trout. Located on the edge of Idaho’s high desert, Lake Walcott is a great area to explore the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge. In addition to diverse fishing opportunities, it offers some of the best birding in southern Idaho.Warm Springs Creek – 1,425 Rainbow Trout. This tributary of the Big Wood River is located just west of Ketchum.
Southeast Region
Bannock Reservoir – 500 Rainbow Trout. Located within the Portneuf Wellness Complex Park near the County Fairgrounds in Pocatello, this community park offers trout fishing with many recreational amenities nearby. Multiple docks provide fishing access around this 5-acre pond.Bear River (Below Alexander Dam) – 500 Rainbow Trout. For those willing to hike down to the bottom of the canyon, fishing can be really good in this section of the river. Bear River (Oneida Narrows Below the Dam) – 1,500 Rainbow Trout. A very scenic stretch of river just north of Preston.Blackfoot Reservoir – 20,000 Rainbow Trout. This large waterbody offers a multi-species fishing opportunity.Chesterfield Reservoir – 19,200 Rainbow Trout. Known for big fish, this reservoir is a popular spot to plan a great fishing trip. This is the workhorse fishery of the Southeast Region!Crowthers Reservoir – 1,100 Rainbow Trout. Tucked away on the northern edge of Malad City, this reservoir is a nice local fishing spot.Crystal Springs Pond – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. This spring-fed pond is always clear and cool! Located near Springfield, this family-friendly pond has a paved walking path and docks for easy fishing access.Edson Fichter Pond – 2,000 Rainbow Trout. This community pond is located in southwest Pocatello along the Portneuf River at Edson Fichter Nature Area. It features several docks and a trail for access around the pond. Limited development and the Nature Area provide a rural feel. Just minutes from downtown Pocatello, this site offers local anglers a convenient escape close to home.Montpelier Rearing Pond – 500 Rainbow Trout. This little fishing spot is tucked into a scenic high desert canyon in the hills east of Montpelier. It’s a great spot to take kids fishing.Snake River – 27,350 Rainbow Trout. Fish will be stocked at Shelley.
Upper Snake Region
East Harriman Fish Pond – 1,500 Rainbow Trout. Located near Harriman State Park, this is a picturesque pond off the beaten path.Island Park Reservoir – 10,500 Rainbow Trout. This is a large scenic reservoir on the Henrys Fork. Bank fishing can be quite good in the fall.Jim Moore Pond – 1,700 Rainbow Trout. Also known as Roberts Gravel Pond, this is a great place for kids to catch lots of small perch!Rexburg City Ponds – 600 Rainbow Trout. These ponds are located within Rexburg’s 15-acre Nature Park and offer an enjoyable fishing atmosphere. The park has walking paths, a skate park, and picnic areas in a tranquil environment away from traffic.
Salmon Region
Hayden Creek Pond – 600 Rainbow Trout. Here is a family-friendly fishing area in the high desert along Hayden Creek. Anglers will find ample bank fishing opportunities and a dock for anglers with limited mobility.Hyde Creek Pond – 400 Rainbow Trout. This small pond is surrounded by sagebrush. The open site and level terrain provide ideal bank fishing for beginning anglers and those who want to practice casting techniques.Kids Creek Pond – 400 Rainbow Trout. Near downtown Salmon, this small fishing pond is regularly stocked with rainbow trout, so catch rates should be good!
