Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking roughly 90,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this August. 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. [LINK] https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/learn-to
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. [LINK] https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/fish
August 2023 Fish Stocking Highlights
Panhandle Region
Day Rock Pond – 500 rainbow trout
This is a small pond in the Silver Valley where anglers can easily fish from the shore. From Coeur d'Alene, go east on Interstate 90 to the Wallace exit, then under the interstate. Continue northeast up Nine Mile Creek about 3.5 miles.
Gene Day Pond – 1,000 rainbow trout
Located in the west end of Gene Day Park in Osburn, this easy access pond offers good fishing opportunity.
Elsie Lake – 900 rainbow trout
This lake offers excellent fishing for anglers of all levels and you will also find a beautiful setting. It's a drive-to mountain lake but the road is mountainous and rough.
Lower Glidden Lake – 900 rainbow trout
This is a beautiful drive-to alpine lake. It's a great spot for anglers of all levels and a scenic choice for small watercraft (electric motors only).
Clearwater Region
Karolyn’s Pond – 800 rainbow trout
Located at the Clearwater Hatchery's satellite facility on the Red River, this is a pretty pond with grassy banks and a dock for fishing. It's small enough that an angler can cast to any part of the pond from shore. There is a Forest Service campground a bit further up Red River Road, so make it an overnight camping trip.
Southwest Region (McCall)
Browns Pond (Airport Pond) – 1,500 rainbow trout
This small pond offers easy access to fishing on the southern edge of the McCall airport and is hidden from the road.
Rowlands Pond (Scout Pond) – 1,500 rainbow trout
This is a small (but pretty) pond in the woods close to McCall. Anglers will find good bank fishing in this peaceful setting.
Southwest Region (Nampa)
Boise River (Strawberry Glen to Barber Dam) – 2,880 rainbow trout
Boise River (Middleton to Eagle Road) – 1,440 rainbow trout
Boise River (Arrowrock to MF/NF Confluence) – 1,750 rainbow trout
The Boise River offers miles of fishing in one of the finest urban trout rivers in the country.
Check out this video to learn more about how Fish and Game works to manage and improve trout populations on this river. https://youtu.be/Oz66lMwrGR4
Lowman Ponds – 600 rainbow trout
Enjoy good mountain fishing along the South Fork Payette River, where diverted water from Richards Creek keeps the ponds cool through the summer.
Marsing Pond – 450 rainbow trout
This pond is located within a city park. Take the whole family, your fishing gear, some lunch and enjoy shady picnic areas alongside the Snake River.
Middle Fork Payette River – 1,500 rainbow trout
Access is great along a well-traveled road with good camping areas nearby. Redband trout, brook trout and hatchery rainbows support this fine fishery.
North Fork Boise River – 1,750 rainbow trout
This is a popular mountain river where anglers can target a variety of fish (rainbow trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout, and whitefish). Catch rates are generally very good.
South Fork Payette River – 1,500 rainbow trout
Stocking locations include: Mountain View Campground, near the fire station at Jolene Drive; Helende Campground; 10 Mile Bridge (immediately adjacent to Lowman Ponds); and near Grandjean.
Magic Valley Region
Big Trinity Lake – 1,200 rainbow trout
In addition to good fishing, there is a USFS campground available at this alpine getaway. While you’re here, take a drive to the summit of Trinity Mountain (if the road is not blocked by snow).
Gavers Lagoon – 1,425 rainbow trout
This pond near the Hayspur Campground is a high-yield fishery. We encourage harvest, but please harvest what you need and consider leaving a few for your fellow anglers.
Hagerman WMA Oster Lake #1 – 900 rainbow trout
Hagerman WMA Riley Creek Pond – 900 rainbow trout
Hagerman Wildlife Management Area provides a variety of fishing opportunities and open space to explore.
Lake Cleveland – 3,000 rainbow trout
This is a very popular summer recreation area. The lake sits at over 8,000 feet in elevation below Mount Harrison. There are numerous campsites located around the lake.
Little Trinity Lake – 475 rainbow trout
Located north of Big Trinity Lake, there is a USFS picnic area available for use. Trailer traffic is not recommended.
South Fork Boise River – 2,900 rainbow trout
Fish will be stocked as follows:
- Featherville to Shake Creek – 950
- Shake Creek to Skeleton Creek – 1,000
- Pine to Grouse Creek – 950
Southeast Region
Cub River – 500 rainbow trout
Fish are stocked in and around the Willow Flat Campground (50+ sites available), so make a fishing trip here an overnight adventure.
Montpelier Creek – 1,000 rainbow trout
Enjoy good creek fishing and a variety of camping options.
Montpelier Rearing Pond – 500 rainbow trout
This little fishing spot is tucked into a scenic, high-desert canyon at 6,500 feet in the hills east of Montpelier.
Montpelier Reservoir – 470 Tiger Trout
This reservoir offers angling opportunity for a variety of fish species in a peaceful rural setting.
Upper Snake Region
Birch Creek – 1,350 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.
Henrys Fork – 6,250 rainbow trout
World famous for trout fishing! The river is suitable for wade fishing, bank fishing and fishing from a boat.
Horseshoe Lake – 1,000 rainbow trout
This is a great place to take newer anglers to catch rainbow trout.
Mill Pond (Stoddard Mill Pond) – 500 rainbow trout
Located in Island Park, this small pond offers exciting fishing opportunity for all ages.
Snake River – 2,400 rainbow trout
Fish will be stocked at Johns Hole and South Tourist Park.
Trail Creek Pond – 800 rainbow trout
Also known as Victor Kids Pond, this small pond is located in the Teton Basin. One of the most consistent kid’s fisheries in the area, it is easily fished from the bank, with trails and picnic tables around the perimeter.
Teton River – 1,000 rainbow trout
Fish will be stocked at the Dam Site. The Teton River drains the westslope of the Teton Range and provides excellent fly fishing opportunities for all skill levels.
Salmon Region
Alturas Lake – 1,740 rainbow trout
This alpine lake is located in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The lake is approximately 21 miles south of Stanley and 30 miles northwest of Ketchum.
Bayhorse Lake – 2,000 rainbow trout
Anglers will find good catch rates at this drive-in mountain lake. Primitive campsites are available. While you’re in the area, check out Little Bayhorse Lake (1,000 rainbow trout). The two lakes are connected by a mile long hiking trail.
Meadow Lake – 2,000 rainbow trout
At over 9,100 feet in elevation, this is the highest mountain lake you can drive to in this region. The snow-melt lake is a beautiful setting for a fishing and camping weekend with unique wildlife viewing opportunities. A Forest Service campground next to the lake offers a stunning view of the surrounding Lemhi Mountains.
Salmon River – Sections #6-8 will be stocked with a total of 6,850 rainbow trout.
- Section #6 – Lower Stanley to Sunbeam Hot Springs – 2,850
- Section #7 – Sunny Gulch Campground to Stanley – 1,600
- Section #8 – Decker Flats to Buckhorn Bridge – 2,400
Stanley Lake – 1,100 rainbow trout
Here is a large mountain lake you can drive to. This is a popular spot known for its breathtaking views of the Sawtooth Mountains. It offers great camping, fishing and places for kids to explore nature.
Valley Creek – 1,500 rainbow trout
Take a break from the Salmon River and try out your casting skills fishing this creek that offers astonishing views in every direction.