Statewide trout stocking highlights for August 2026

Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 75,000 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.

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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August 2026 Fish Stocking Highlights

Day Rock Pond – 300 Rainbow Trout. This is a small pond in the Silver Valley where anglers can easily fish from the shore.

Elsie Lake – 540 Rainbow Trout. Offering excellent fishing for anglers of all levels, you will also find a beautiful setting. It's a drive-to mountain lake but the road is mountainous and rough.

Gene Day Pond – 900 Rainbow Trout. Also known as Osburn Pond, this water is stocked regularly so catch rates should be good!

Browns Pond (Airport Pond) – 600 Rainbow Trout. This small pond offers easy access to fishing on the southern edge of the McCall airport and is hidden from the road.

Rowland Pond (Scout Pond) – 600 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.

Upper Payette Lake – 2,000 Rainbow Trout. This lake offers fishing in a forested setting. Anglers can easily fish from the shoreline or a small boat.

• Boise River (Strawberry Glen to Barber Dam) – 864 Rainbow Trout
• Boise River (Middleton to Eagle Road) – 1,000 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! 

Lowman Ponds – 360 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 – 210 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.

North Fork Boise River – 3,500 Rainbow Trout. This is a popular mountain river where anglers can target a variety of salmonids within the mainstem and tributaries. Catch rates on this river won’t disappoint you!

South Fork Payette River – 3,500 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.

Big Trinity Lake – 1,200 Rainbow Trout. In addition to good fishing, there is a USFS campground available at this high alpine getaway. While you’re here, take a drive to the summit of Trinity Mountain (if the road is not blocked by snow).

Featherville Dredge Pond – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. This former gravel pit is now a nice trout fishing pond with camping nearby. This is also referred to as Placer Pond. 

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 – 1,430 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.

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 – Fish will be stocked as follows:

• Featherville to Shake Creek – 950 Rainbow Trout
• Shake Creek to Skeleton Creek – 1,000 Rainbow Trout
• Pine to Grouse Creek – 950 Rainbow Trout

 Warm Springs Creek – 2,850 Rainbow Trout. This tributary of the Big Wood River is located just west of Ketchum.

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.

Cub River – 750 Rainbow Trout. Fish are stocked in and around the Willow Flat Campground (50+ sites available), so make a fishing trip here an overnight adventure.

East Fork Rock Creek – 1,700 Rainbow Trout. Located near Rockland, this cold, clear creek offers good fishing and convenient public access. There are no restrooms or trash service. Please respect the land!

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!

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.

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 – 3,120 Rainbow Trout. World-famous for trout fishing! The river is suitable for wade fishing, bank fishing, and fishing from a boat.

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.

Teton River – 2,000 Rainbow Trout. Fish will be stocked at the dam site. This river provides excellent fly-fishing opportunities for all skill levels.

Trail Creek Pond – 800 Rainbow Trout. Also known as Victor Kids Pond, this is one of the most consistent kid’s fisheries in the area. It is easily fished from the bank and there are trails and picnic tables around the perimeter.

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. Bayhorse and Little Bayhorse lakes are connected by a mile long hiking trail. Both lakes offer primitive campsites and a scenic escape from summer heat.

Cape Horn Lake #1 – 240 Rainbow Trout. This is the larger of two picturesque lakes endowed with fish, lily pads and frogs. Especially well-suited to float tubes or a small boat, this lake offers limited shoreline access. The area is good for wildlife viewing and is Stop 20 on the Idaho Birding Trail. Camping is available at nearby Forest Service sites. No facilities are available here.

Hayden Creek Pond – 800 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.

Little Bayhorse Lake – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. Anglers will find good catch rates at this drive-in mountain lake. Bayhorse and Little Bayhorse lakes are connected by a mile long hiking trail. Both lakes offer primitive campsites and a scenic escape from summer heat.

Meadow Lake – 2,000 Rainbow Trout. At over 9,100 feet in elevation, this is the highest mountain lake you can drive to in the Salmon 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 – Fish will be stocked as follows:

• Section #6 – Lower Stanley to Sunbeam Hot Springs – 400 Rainbow Trout
• Section #7 – Sunny Gulch Campground to Stanley – 200 Rainbow Trout
• Section #8 – Decker Flats to Buckhorn Bridge – 800 Rainbow Trout

Sawtooth Kids Pond – 200 Rainbow Trout. This public fishing pond is located at Sawtooth Fish Hatchery. Fishing tackle is available, if needed. Inquire with hatchery staff about loaner tackle to catch rainbow trout from this well stocked pond.

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 – 500 Rainbow Trout. Take a break from the Salmon River and try fishing this creek that offers astonishing views in every direction!

Yankee Fork Dredge Pond #1 – 240 Rainbow Trout. As part of a stream habitat restoration project, this pond was merged with a pool to the north with better access. There are several Forest Service campgrounds within a few miles. Historical sites, wildlife viewing, and extensive trails make this area an adventure destination. 

Yankee Fork Dredge Pond #4 – 240 Rainbow Trout. This is the northernmost of several ponds along the Yankee Fork that have been historically stocked for anglers. Services are limited.