LEWISTON, ID – (IDFG) – Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking roughly 500,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this May. Wondering if the stocking trucks are going to be backing up to your favorite fishing hole? We asked our Fish and Game hatchery staff to boil down some of the most notable stocking highlights coming to your local fishery this month.
Many of these fisheries highlighted below are easy to access, family-friendly fishing destinations. All you need to get started is a fishing license and some basic tackle. Annual adult fishing licenses cost around $30, junior licenses (ages 14-17) cost $16, and youth (under 14) fish for free. Go to Fish and Game’s online vendor to buy a license.
Fishing for stocked rainbow trout can be a great way to introduce budding anglers to the sport by using simple, inexpensive setups like worm/marshmallow combinations or commercial baits like PowerBait® or Crave, placed either near the bottom or below a bobber; and as anglers know, there’s nothing quite like a trout fighting on the end of your line. The Learn to Fish webpage offers diagrams for basic bait rigs.
Most Idaho waters are open to fishing year-round, but some may have slightly different rules. Be sure to pick up a 2022-2024 Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules Booklet – available at any Idaho Fish and Game office or most sporting goods stores statewide – or download online to look at season dates, special regulations and bag limits.
Campbells Pond – 2,000 rainbow trout
This is a scenic forest pond where anglers can expect good catch rates. There are several docks, including one handicap-accessible dock, and a developed boat ramp.
Deer Creek Reservoir – 2,100 rainbow trout
This beautiful mountain reservoir was built specifically for trout fishing. Rainbow trout are stocked in this remote setting for high catch rates from shore or a boat. Boaters, please observe the no-wake restriction. Check out this video to learn more.
Deyo Reservoir – 9,300 rainbow trout
Nestled amid farms and timber, this waterbody 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 – 2,700 rainbow trout
A forested road parallels the entire west side of this reservoir for easy access to fishing areas and has four fishing docks and a boat ramp. The east side of the reservoir provides great boat fishing opportunities where foot access is difficult.
Fenn Pond – 1,000 rainbow trout
If you visit the Selway River and are just looking for a good place to harvest some rainbows for dinner, check out this pond. It’s located next to the Selway River and offers especially good fishing. The boardwalk and fishing dock offer easy access.
Kiwanis Park Pond – 1,500 rainbow trout
This convenient community pond is located next to the Snake River in Lewiston and is within walking distance to picnic shelters and a playground. The pond is stocked with rainbow trout to maintain high catch rates for anglers.
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. There is a small, developed boat ramp but gas motors are not allowed on this lake.
Spring Valley Reservoir – 4,200 rainbow trout
Surrounded by rolling hills and trees, there is a trail that surrounds the reservoir. In addition, fishing docks and platforms increase shoreline access. There is a developed boat ramp, but gas motors are not allowed. Bring your binoculars because this is Stop 35 on the Idaho Birding Trail!
Tolo Lake – 700 rainbow trout
Located west of Grangeville, this lake provides fishing in the wide-open Camas Prairie. It’s easy to get to and also supports a warm water fishery.
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.
Fernan Lake – 6,800 rainbow trout
A popular fishing spot 10 minutes from downtown Coeur d’Alene, anglers of all abilities can enjoy fishing from floating docks, miles of shoreline or from boats.
Kelso Lake – 5,000 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, so bring your binoculars!
Spicer Pond – 2,000 rainbow trout
This is a small, easily accessed pond next to the St. Maries River near the town of St. Maries.
Steamboat Pond – 1,000 rainbow trout
This easily accessible pond is located next to the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River. Anglers who might find fishing the river too difficult will enjoy harvesting a few trout from this pond.
Browns Pond – 1,500 rainbow trout
This small pond offers easy access to fishing on the southern edge of the McCall airport.
Cascade Reservoir – 82,650 rainbow trout
Among the largest waterbodies in Idaho, this lake offers great fishing opportunity with abundant camping options in the surrounding area.
Horsethief Reservoir – 15,000 rainbow trout
This reservoir has everything for a memorable fishing weekend: a beautiful lake in the trees, good fishing and camping. Camping is managed by the Treasure Valley YMCA. The YMCA manages a website related to camping at Horsethief Reservoir — to find updates and information related to camping, please visit www.horsethiefcampground.com.
Lost Valley Reservoir – 14,000 rainbow trout
This scenic reservoir offers anglers plenty of places to fish from the shoreline.
Rowland Pond – 2,500 rainbow trout
Also known as Scout Pond, this small but pretty pond in the woods close to McCall provides good bank fishing in a peaceful setting.
Tripod Reservoir – 800 rainbow trout
This small lake near Smith’s Ferry is a great place to take the kids fishing and make some memories! Check out this video.
Caldwell Rotary Pond – 800 rainbow trout
Located in a park-like setting with plenty of shade and lots of bank fishing opportunity for young anglers. A dock invites visitors of every mobility level to enjoy the fishing.
Grimes Creek – 1,600 rainbow trout
In addition to hatchery rainbows, small to medium-sized wild fish are also found in this creek. It is best fished shortly after high water.
Horseshoe Bend Mill Pond – 900 rainbow trout
Just north of town, this pond features easy access and productive fishing for bass and trout in a pleasant setting next to the Payette River. This pond is one of more than seventy waters designated as Family Fishing Waters in Idaho. These waters have been established to make it easier for families to go and enjoy fishing. The rules are simple and there are lots of fish to catch.
McDevitt Pond – 900 rainbow trout
Located in west Boise’s McDevitt Sports Park, this small neighborhood pond offers easily accessible fishing.
Lowman Ponds – 600 rainbow trout
Enjoy good mountain fishing along the South Fork Payette River. Stocked trout thrive in its clean water and take advantage of abundant damsel flies.
Parkcenter Pond – 700 rainbow trout
This is a popular local fishing pond with a paved path alongside docks and tables with maturing trees. This convenient pond is located near the greenbelt and the BSU campus.
Riverside Pond – 900 rainbow trout
A quiet neighborhood pond right off the Boise Greenbelt and tucked into the trees off Glenwood Road. This pond offers good bank fishing and a large fishing dock.
Sagehen Reservoir – 2,400 rainbow trout
This mountain reservoir is surrounded by forests. Five campgrounds are located adjacent to the reservoir and are managed by the Boise National Forest.
Weiser Community Pond – 500 rainbow trout
This community pond offers an easily accessible shoreline and dock fishing near the Weiser River.
Camas Kids Pond – 1,500 rainbow trout
This is a small, scenic pond near Fairfield. The Centennial Marsh and Camas Prairie Wildlife Management Area are nearby and provide great bird-watching opportunities.
Cedar Creek Reservoir – 11,000 rainbow trout
Also known as Roseworth Reservoir, this is a remote trout fishery in high desert sagebrush. It has great shoreline access as well as high-water and low-water boat ramps.
Featherville Dredge Pond – 1,900 rainbow trout
This former gravel pit is now a nice trout fishing pond with camping nearby. Here is a video that gives you more information about this pond.
Hagerman Wildlife Management Area: This WMA provides a variety of fishing opportunities and open space to explore. Riley Creek Pond and Oster Lake #1 offer ADA access piers. Please give those with limited mobility priority for parking and use.
- Hagerman WMA Oster Lake #1 – 1,900 rainbow trout
- Hagerman WMA Oster Lake #2 – 350 rainbow trout
- Hagerman WMA Oster Lake #3 – 250 rainbow trout
- Hagerman WMA Oster Lake #4 – 250 rainbow trout
- Hagerman WMA Riley Creek Pond – 3,900 rainbow trout
Little Camas Reservoir – 4,500 rainbow trout
The western gateway to the mile-high Camas Prairie, this reservoir can offer good trout fishing with solitude and snow-capped mountains. The area is known for wildlife and birdwatching. Primitive dispersed camping opportunities exist along the west and north shore. Please respect private property postings.
Little Wood Reservoir – 3,000 rainbow trout
This reservoir provides great trout fishing in an upland desert setting. Bell Mountain provides a scenic backdrop for memorable sunsets year-round.
Lower Lake Creek Lake – 700 rainbow trout
Located just north of Sun Valley, this small lake is a great place to cast a line.
Thorn Creek Reservoir – 1,800 rainbow trout
This high-desert reservoir feels quiet and remote, and it is generally uncrowded. It fills with melting snowpack from upland streams and is subject to drawdown as the irrigation season progresses. Rocky outcrops along the perimeter offer scenic fishing access points.
Bannock Reservoir – 1,000 rainbow trout
Located within the Portneuf Wellness Complex near the County Fairgrounds in Pocatello, this community park offers good trout fishing. Multiple docks provide fishing access around the 5-acre pond.
Bear River below Oneida Dam – 3,000 rainbow trout
These fish will be stocked in the very scenic Oneida Narrows reach of the river below the dam. This popular section of the river offers the longest continuous public access along the entire Bear River.
Dike Lake – 1,500 rainbow trout
Located adjacent to the Blackfoot Reservoir Campground, this waterbody gets stocked once a year. This yields high catch rates for a limited time, so catch ‘em before they’re gone!
Dingle Gravel Pond – 1,000 rainbow trout
This pond is located adjacent to the Bear River east of Dingle in Bear Lake County.
Kelly Park Pond – 500 rainbow trout
Located in Soda Springs, accessing this pond requires a short walk, but it offers a great kids fishing opportunity. Lace up the boots, grab the fishing poles and take the kids on a nature walk!
McTucker Pond – 1,500 rainbow trout
Located near Springfield, there are many places for kids to fish from docks or the bank.
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.
Ashton Reservoir – 38,751 rainbow trout
A scenic 400-acre reservoir on the Henrys Fork, this waterbody is known for rainbow trout and is also home to the state-record brown trout.
Birch Creek – 4,750 rainbow trout
A productive spring creek in a high-desert basin, this small stream is ideal for kids and less experienced anglers. Rainbow trout are stocked heavily around access areas, and wild brook trout are fairly common.
Blue Creek Reservoir – 2,000 rainbow trout
This reservoir is located approximately 15 miles north of St. Anthony and is part of the Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area. Fish will be stocked when access/road conditions allow. There are additional ponds in close proximity that will also be stocked and provide additional fishing opportunities. These include:
- Sand Creek MWA Pond #1 – 3,500 rainbow trout
- Sand Creek WMA Pond #4 – 2,700 rainbow trout
Henrys Fork – 10,000 rainbow trout
World-famous for trout fishing! The river is suitable for wade fishing, bank fishing and fishing from a boat.
Mackay Reservoir – 4,200 rainbow trout
In the high desert of the Big Lost River Valley, fishing is popular from a boat and from shore on this 1,100-plus-acre reservoir.
Ririe Reservoir – 18,000 rainbow trout and 3,600 tiger trout
This waterbody provides an exceptional and diverse fishery. Springtime is ideal to troll for kokanee and rainbow trout.
Teton River – 1,000 rainbow trout
This river drains the west slope of the Teton Range and provides excellent fly fishing opportunities for all skill levels. Fish will be stocked in the Rexburg area. Check out this video showing the magic of fly fishing!
Trail Creek Pond – 450 rainbow trout
Also known as Victor Kids Pond, this small, scenic pond is located in the lush Teton Basin. One of the most consistent kids fisheries in the area, it is easily fished from the bank, with trails and picnic tables around the perimeter.
Blue Mountain Meadow Pond – 300 rainbow trout
This park-like pond is easy to access and overlooks the golf course in Challis. Kids will enjoy fishing from the banks and having a picnic in one of the two gazebos.
Mosquito Flat Reservoir – 1,000 rainbow trout
This remote waterbody offers trout and kokanee fishing opportunities. There is a Forest Service recreation site that has 11 campsites and a day-use picnic area along the shore of this reservoir.
Hayden Creek Pond – 1,000 rainbow trout
This 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.
Paasasikwana Naokwaide Pond – 300 rainbow trout
Also known as South Butte Pond, this small, seasonal pond provides easy access and fishing opportunity for anglers of all ages.
