Statewide trout stocking highlights for April 2025

Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 207,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this April. 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.

Fishing for stocked rainbow trout can be a great way to introduce budding anglers to the sport by using simple, inexpensive setups. 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 youth (under 14) fish for free. If you need a license, purchasing one on the fly is easy to do with your smartphone—and you can start fishing immediately.

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April 2025 Fish Stocking Highlights

Brush Lake – 720 rainbow trout

A scenic lake tucked into the trees north of Bonners Ferry, it features a picnic area and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Cocolalla Lake – 9,330 rainbow trout

This 800-acre lake offers a variety of fishing opportunity. Anglers regularly have luck trolling spoons, spinners, and flies throughout the lake. Fly fishing can also be a productive technique, and anglers often target areas around the inlets and outlet of the lake.

Fernan Lake – 11,800 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.

Gene Day Pond – 800 rainbow trout

Also known as Osburn Pond, this will be the first stocking event of the year, so catch rates should be good!

Jewel Lake – 1,620 rainbow trout

A peaceful lake where anglers can catch rainbow trout, channel catfish, and lots of bluegill that will thrill young anglers. There is a single fishing dock to help with access in this forested and picturesque rural setting.

Kelso Lake – 2,500 rainbow trout

With easy access to this quiet forested lake, you will find good fishing opportunities from a large dock, and it's a great place for a small boat, kayak, or canoe. It’s located along Idaho Birding Trail #14, so bring your binoculars!

Post Falls Park Pond – 800 rainbow trout

This park offers a great fishing spot for kids and anglers with special needs. Anglers can easily fish the small pond from a fishing bridge, shore, or fishing platforms. Take some time to also enjoy the adjacent park, nature trails, falls, and picnic areas.

Spicer Pond – 800 rainbow trout

This is a small, easily accessed pond next to the St. Maries River near the town of St. Maries.

Deyo Reservoir – 5,700 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.

Kiwanis Park Pond – 900 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.

Mann Lake – 6,000 rainbow trout and 4,500 yellow (banana) trout

This lake provides a multi-species fishery. In addition to rainbow trout, anglers can catch bass, catfish, and a variety of panfish. Electric motors only.

Robinson Pond – 300 rainbow trout

Located a short distance from Kamiah, this is a great spot to take the kids fishing.

Spring Valley Reservoir – 6,000 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 – 500 rainbow trout

This lake provides fishing in the wide-open Camas Prairie. It's easy to get to and also supports a variety of other fish species (bluegill, bass, catfish). Drive a few miles north of Whitebird Pass on US Highway 95, turn left onto Lake Road. Drive 2 more miles and you're there.

Winchester Lake – 6,000 rainbow trout

Located in a beautiful, forested setting, this lake offers very easy access. Docks and fishing platforms enhance fishing opportunities for beginners and accomplished anglers. Facilities include a picnic shelter, fish cleaning station, benches and picnic tables, and a variety of camping options.

Arrowrock Reservoir – 9,000 rainbow trout

This reservoir offers a wide range of fishing opportunity. 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 do utilize the reservoir.

Crane Falls Lake – 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.

Dick Knox Pond – 480 rainbow trout

Located just south of the corner of West Sales Yard and Airport roads in Emmett, this pond gives anglers the chance to pursue a wide variety of fish species. Pond amenities include five floating docks, two restrooms, a boat launch, and ample parking.

Esther Simplot Pond – 360 rainbow trout

Located next to the Boise River, this park offers fishing, walking and biking paths, docks, shelters, 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 – 6,775 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 – 2,400 rainbow trout

This reservoir provides a diverse fishery. Anglers may target crappie, largemouth bass, and rainbow trout.

McDevitt Pond – 540 rainbow trout

Located in west Boise's McDevitt Sports Park at the northwest corner of McMillan and Eagle roads. This small neighborhood pond offers easily accessible fishing.

Parkcenter Pond – 420 rainbow trout

Conveniently located near downtown Boise, the Boise Greenbelt, and the BSU campus, this pond is a popular local fishing spot with a paved path alongside docks and tables.

Payette Greenway Pond – 300 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 – 690 rainbow trout

A quiet neighborhood pond right off the Boise Greenbelt, it’s tucked into the trees off Glenwood Road and offers good bank fishing and a large fishing dock.

Weiser Community Pond – 330 rainbow trout

This community pond offers an easily accessible shoreline and dock fishing near the Weiser River.

Blair Trail Fishing Pond – 1,000 rainbow trout

On Little Canyon Creek, this is a remote, desert fishery surrounded by sagebrush solitude.

Camas Kids Pond – 1,500 rainbow trout

This is a small, scenic pond near Fairfield. The Camas Prairie - Centennial Marsh Wildlife Management Area is nearby and provides great bird watching opportunities.

Dog Creek Reservoir – 2,000 rainbow trout

Located in Gooding County, learn what to expect from this high desert reservoir by checking out this video.

Dierkes Lake – 2,500 rainbow trout

Conveniently located inside Shoshone Falls Park near Twin Falls, this scenic county park also features hiking, fishing docks, and picnic areas. Dierkes Lake is where thousands of kids have caught their first fish! Check out this video.

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.

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 – 2,400 rainbow trout
• Hagerman WMA Oster Lake #2 – 350 rainbow trout
• Hagerman WMA Oster Lake #3 – 350 rainbow trout
• Hagerman WMA Oster Lake #4 – 350 rainbow trout
• Hagerman WMA Riley Creek Pond – 3,200 rainbow trout

Magic Reservoir – 7,500 rainbow trout

A popular, diverse fishery with plenty of shoreline access, this reservoir is perfect for young anglers.

Mormon Reservoir – 6,000 rainbow trout

Located south of Fairfield, efforts by Fish and Game and other agencies continue to improve fishing, water quality, and access.

Lower Goose Creek Reservoir (Oakley Reservoir) – 10,000 rainbow trout

Located south of Burley, this is a great place to recreate. Fishing opportunity includes perch, rainbow trout, and walleye.

Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir – 17,500 rainbow trout

A short drive south of Twin Falls, this large reservoir in Idaho's high desert provides tons of fishing options with boat ramps and long shorelines. You can help maintain the natural beauty of this unique area by driving on existing roads when they are dry.

Bannock Reservoir – 1,000 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.

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 – 2,200 rainbow trout

Tucked away on the northern edge of Malad City, this reservoir provides a nice local fishing spot.

Edson Fichter Pond – 950 rainbow trout

This community pond is located along the Portneuf River at Edson Fichter Nature Area. It features several docks and a trail for access around the pond. Just minutes from downtown Pocatello, this site offers local anglers a convenient escape close to home.

Foster Reservoir – 2,340 rainbow trout

This reservoir is located right off Highway 36 north of the Preston Golf Course. Electric motors only. Per Consolidated Irrigation Company access rules, all watercraft must be inspected by ISDA the day of your launch. Proof of inspection (ISDA written certification) should be displayed in dash of vehicle.

Glendale Reservoir – 3,660 rainbow trout

This 200-plus acre reservoir provides good facilities and opportunities for anglers to catch a variety of warm water species and trout. Access is best using a small boat, but docks and limited shoreline access are available. Per Consolidated Irrigation Company access rules, all watercraft must be inspected by on-site irrigation company staff and users are subject to an inspection fee. No ballast compartment boats are allowed.

Hawkins Reservoir – 1,680 rainbow trout

Located near Downey, this reservoir provides good fishing opportunities for Yellowstone cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and cutbows.

Johnson Reservoir – 2,500 rainbow trout

This 50-acre irrigation reservoir located near Preston is surrounded by large cottonwood trees. It offers a boat ramp, dock, and a variety of warm water game fish. Per Consolidated Irrigation Company access rules, all watercraft must be inspected by ISDA the day of your launch. Proof of inspection (ISDA written certification) should be displayed in dash of vehicle.

Lamont Reservoir – 2,800 rainbow trout

Located about 3 miles from Preston, this reservoir offers a nice boat ramp and good opportunity to catch trout, bass, and panfish. Per Consolidated Irrigation Company access rules, all watercraft must be inspected by ISDA the day of your launch. Proof of inspection (ISDA written certification) should be displayed in dash of vehicle.

McTucker Pond – 2,500 rainbow trout

Located near Springfield, McTucker Pond is a cluster of eight ponds surrounded by willows and large cottonwood trees. There are many places for kids to fish from the bank. No docks are present anymore.

• Becker Pond (Ryder Park Pond) – 2,000 rainbow trout
• Ryder Park Riverside Pond – 1,000 rainbow trout

These two ponds in Idaho Falls are located off Sunnyside Road. Catch rates are awesome, and they provide a great place for new anglers or kids to try their hand at fishing. 

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.

Snake River – 2,400 rainbow trout

These fish will be stocked at John’s Hole and South Tourist Park.

Hayden Creek Pond – 1,100 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.

Hyde Creek Pond – 200 rainbow trout

This small irrigation pond is surrounded by sagebrush. The open site and level terrain provide ideal bank fishing for beginning anglers.

Kids Creek Pond – 550 rainbow trout

Near downtown Salmon, this small fishing pond is regularly stocked with rainbow trout, so catch rates should be good!