Statewide trout stocking highlights for April 2026

Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 214,000 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 2026 Fish Stocking Highlights

Brush Lake – 2,160 rainbow trout

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

Gene Day Pond – 1,500 rainbow trout

Also known as Osburn Pond, this water is stocked regularly 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 – 2,200 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!

Round Lake – 2,500 rainbow trout

Beginners and experts alike will enjoy fishing this scenic lake. The full-feature park offers hiking trails and a beach.

Smith Lake – 1,080 rainbow trout

Located north of Bonners Ferry, diverse fishing opportunities are offered here in a peaceful, forested setting. There is a Forest Service campground and picnic area nearby.

Spicer Pond – 800 rainbow trout

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

Steamboat Pond – 900 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.

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.

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 – 6,300 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.

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.

Cascade Reservoir – 25,000 rainbow trout

Among the largest waterbodies in Idaho, this lake offers great fishing opportunities with abundant camping options in the surrounding area.

Horsethief Reservoir – 14,790 rainbow trout

This reservoir has everything for a memorable fishing trip - a beautiful lake in the trees, good fishing and camping.

Caldwell Rotary Pond – 675 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 fishing.

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.

Horseshoe Bend Mill Pond – 420 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.

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 – 13,550 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 – 4,800 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 Greenbelt, and the BSU campus, this pond is a popular local fishing spot with a paved path alongside docks and tables.

Payette Greenway Pond – 330 rainbow trout

This easily accessible pond along the Payette River offers partially paved access and a variety of fishing options.

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.

Settlers Park Pond – 150 rainbow trout

This small neighborhood pond offers easily accessible fishing within Settlers Park in Meridian.

Weiser Community Pond – 300 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 Camas Prairie - Centennial Marsh Wildlife Management Area is nearby and provides great bird watching opportunities.

Cedar Creek Reservoir (Roseworth 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.

Dierkes Lake – 4,000 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.

Featherville Dredge Pond – 1,900 rainbow trout

This former gravel pit is now a nice trout fishing pond with camping nearby.

Filer Kids Pond and Filer Pond – 900 rainbow trout

These two ponds are a quick drive from Twin Falls. Both feature excellent access with regular trout stocking. Filer Kids Pond is open to kids 12 and under. Filer Pond is open to anglers of any age.

Freedom Park Pond – 1,000 rainbow trout

Located in Burley, this trout pond was built with young anglers in mind. It’s a great place to take the kids fishing!

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 – 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

Penny Lake – 900 rainbow trout

Great fishing on a small pond! This lake also offers hiking and biking opportunities.

Thorn Creek Reservoir – 2,800 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 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 – 2,500 rainbow trout

These fish will be stocked in the scenic Oneida Narrows reach of the river. 

Blackfoot Reservoir – 30,000 rainbow trout

This large waterbody north of Soda Springs offers abundant boating opportunity and also supports good bass fishing.

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.

Dingle Gravel Pond – 1,000 rainbow trout

This pond is located adjacent to the Bear River east of Dingle in Bear Lake County.

Edson Fichter Pond – 975 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.

Kelly Park Pond – 250 rainbow trout

Located in Soda Springs, accessing this pond requires a short walk, but it’s a fun place to take the kids fishing. Lace up the boots, grab the fishing poles, and take the kids on a nature walk!

McTucker Pond – 2,500 rainbow trout

Located near Springfield, McTucker Pond is a cluster of 8 ponds surrounded by willows and large cottonwood trees. There are many places for kids to fish from the bank. No docks are present anymore.

Montpelier Rearing Pond – 250 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 – 8,000 rainbow trout

These fish will be stocked below the American Falls Dam at Three Layer Park.

Becker Pond (Ryder Park Pond) – 1,500 rainbow trout

Ryder Park Riverside Pond – 1,500 rainbow trout

These two ponds in Idaho Falls are located off Sunnyside Road. Catch rates are typically high 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!