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Idaho Fish and Game

A stocking report logo for the Southwest Region.

Southwest Region rainbow trout stocking schedule - May

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Fish and Game staff will be stocking more than 133,000 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout at the following locations across the Southwest Region in May. 

All fish stocked are rainbow trout, unless otherwise noted. Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions (angler safety concerns); dates may change due to weather or staffing constraints.

In any year, May is a fantastic time to be an angler in Southwest Idaho: The weather and the bite are both heating up, and many waters are getting their first big shot of fish since the fall – particularly in the McCall area. There are a few things that will make this May unique, though. For starters, Esther Simplot Pond in Boise is getting 600 tiger trout, which is an opportunity you won't find elsewhere in Treasure Valley community ponds. 

Secondly, the Take Me Fishing! Trailer will also be making a couple of public appearances this month, at which anglers don't need a license to get after the fish we've stocked. First up, it will be at Kleiner Pond in Meridian from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 10, as part of the City of Meridian's annual Unplug and Be Outside event

The fishing trailer is a feature, but it will be far from the whole show. This free day of fun and exploration is designed to encourage families to embrace the benefits of being active and spending time outdoors, while also building social connections with others, and other activities include disc golf, rock climbing, a bicycle rodeo, a cornhole tournament and more. 

The Take Me Fishing! Trailer will be back in Meridian at Settler's Pond on Wednesday, May 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., for folks who are unable to attend Unplug and Be Outside. 

See the stocking schedule below to find out where else hatchery staff are putting fish this month!

Nampa

Body of WaterWeek to be StockedNumber to be Stocked
Esther Simplot PondMay 5-9600 (Tiger Trout)
Duff Lane PondMay 5-9165
Indian Creek (Caldwell)May 5-9120
Eagle Island Park PondMay 5-9270
Heroes Park PondMay 5-990
Middle Fork Payette RiverMay 5-9500
Silver CreekMay 5-9500
Grimes CreekMay 5-9800
Weiser Community PondMay 5-9300
Wilson Springs North PondMay 5-9120
Wilson Springs Trophy PondMay 5-9120
Marsing PondMay 5-9270
Dick Knox PondMay 12-16480
Sawyers PondMay 12-16300
Eds PondMay 12-16270
Horseshoe Bend Mill PondMay 12-16540
Lowman PondsMay 12-16360
Sego Prairie PondMay 12-16285
Indian Creek (Kuna)May 12-16180
Wilson Springs North PondMay 12-16120
Wilson Springs Trophy PondMay 12-16120
Wilson CreekMay 12-16150
Caldwell Rotary PondMay 19-23480
Legacy Park PondMay 19-23210
Star City Pond WestMay 19-23360
Sagehen ReservoirMay 19-232,400
Kleiner PondMay 19-23820
McDevitt PondMay 19-23540
Riverside PondMay 19-23690
Settlers Park PondMay 19-23150
Williams PondMay 19-23550
Esther Simplot PondMay 19-23420
Parkcenter PondMay 19-23420
Wilson Springs North PondMay 19-23120
Wilson Springs Trophy PondMay 19-23120
Middle Fork Payette RiverMay 26-30500
Silver CreekMay 26-30500
Grimes CreekMay 26-30800
Wilson Springs North PondMay 26-30120
Wilson Springs Trophy PondMay 26-30120
Wilson CreekMay 26-30150

McCall

Body of WaterWeek to be StockedNumber to be Stocked
Rowland PondMay 12-16900
North Fork Payette River 03May 12-16600
East Mountain ReservoirMay 12-16500
Payette LakeMay 19-235,000
Browns PondMay 19-23600
Ol' McDonald PondMay 19-23300
Fischer PondMay 19-23600
Meadow Creek PondMay 19-23600
Rowland PondMay 26-30600
Tripod ReservoirMay 26-30480
Poorman PondMay 26-30300
Herrick ReservoirMay 26-301,800
Cascade ReservoirMay 26-3082,650
Horsethief ReservoirMay 26-308,000
Lost Valley ReservoirMay 26-3014,000

For maps of these fishing locations and other angling destinations in Idaho please visit the Idaho Fish Planner

Many of the waters highlighted above 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. Click here to buy a license.

Fishing for stocked rainbow trout, particularly in community ponds, is a great way to introduce new anglers to the sport by using simple (and relatively thrifty) set-ups like worm/marshmallow combinations or commercial baits like Power Bait or Crave, either near the bottom or below a bobber. 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 2025-27 Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules Booklet, which outlines season dates, special regulations and bag limits, at any Idaho Fish and Game offices or most sporting goods stores statewide.

Need a little help reading Idaho's fishing regulations? Click here to view a short video on how to use the fishing season and rules book.