Statewide trout stocking highlights for July 2026

Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 110,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this July. 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!

Fishing Seasons & Rules

Fish Stocking Page

Idaho Fishing Planner

Buy a License

July 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 – 810 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!

Lower Glidden Lake – 810 Rainbow Trout. This is another beautiful drive-to alpine lake. It's a great spot for anglers of all levels and a scenic choice for a small boat. It also offers plenty of hiking trails and wildlife.

Elk Creek Reservoir – 3,000 Rainbow Trout. A forested road parallels the entire west side of this reservoir for easy access to fishing areas, with four fishing docks and a boat ramp. The east side of the reservoir provides great boat fishing opportunities where foot access is difficult.

Payette Lake – 5,000 Rainbow Trout. This beautiful lake is one of the most popular recreation spots in the State!

Rowland Pond – 300 Rainbow Trout. Also known as Scout Pond, this is a pretty pond in the woods close to McCall. Anglers will find good bank fishing in this peaceful setting.

Boise River, Strawberry Glen to Barber Dam – 1,296 Rainbow Trout

Boise River, Middleton to Eagle Road – 1,000 Rainbow Trout

Boise River, Arrowrock Reservoir to MF/NF Confluence – 1,750 Rainbow Trout

Bull Trout Lake – 2,000 Rainbow Trout. One of several serene mountain lakes, this lake is nestled in the pines above Banner Summit. While anglers can easily fish from the shore, the lakes in this area are ideal for canoes, kick boats and float tubes.

Lowman Ponds – 720 Rainbow Trout. Enjoy good mountain fishing along the South Fork Payette River.

Marsing Pond – 270 Rainbow Trout. This pond is located off State Hwy 55 below the Snake River bridge.

Middle Fork Payette River – 1,500 Rainbow. 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 – 2,000 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).

Castle Rocks State Park Fishing Pond – 500 Rainbow Trout. Besides fishing, this pond is also a great place to watch birds and wildlife. There is a walking path and benches to sit and enjoy the scenery.

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 – 1,425 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.

Lake Cleveland – 3,000 Rainbow Trout. First stocking event of the year for this popular lake!

Little Trinity Lake – 700 Rainbow Trout. Located north of Big Trinity Lake, there is a USFS picnic area available for use. Trailer traffic is not recommended.

Lower Lake Creek Lake – 350 Rainbow Trout. Located just north of Sun Valley, this small lake is a great place to cast a line.

Penny Lake – 400 Rainbow Trout. Great fishing on a small pond! This lake also offers hiking and biking opportunities.

South Fork Boise River – 3,800 Rainbow Trout. Fish will be stocked as follows:

• Featherville to Shake Creek – 950 Rainbow Trout.
• Shake Creek to Skeleton Creek – 1,900 Rainbow Trout.
• Pine to Grouse Creek – 950 Rainbow Trout.

Cub River – 750 Rainbow Trout. This beautiful little river is located south of Preston. All fish will be stocked in and around the Willow Flat Campground area.

Kelly Park Pond – 250 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!

Little Valley Reservoir – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. Located in the mountains above Paris, this is a privately owned reservoir and water is managed by the local irrigation company. Please respect private property!

Mill Creek – 250 Rainbow Trout. Located about 15 miles north of Malad, this small creek flows in the shadows of Elkhorn Mountain. Fish will be stocked near the USFS Malad Summit Campground, so bring the whole family for an overnight camping adventure!

Montpelier Creek – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. Fish will be stocked at multiple spots below the dam.

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.

Pebble Creek – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. Fish will be stocked in the Big Springs Campground and surrounding area.

Toponce Creek – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. This is a scenic tributary to the Upper Portneuf River. It offers several dispersed camping sites and good creek fishing. Fish are stocked higher up the drainage in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Please respect your beautiful natural surroundings. If you Pack it in, Pack it out!

Birch Creek – 2,700 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 and wild brook trout are fairly common.

Buffalo River – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. This tributary of the Henrys Fork provides one of many unique fishing opportunities in the Island Park area. Fish are stocked right near the Highway 20 bridge.

Camas Creek – 750 Rainbow Trout. Located near Spencer, this has become a popular fishery. Come experience what it has to offer.

Gem Lake – 3,000 Rainbow Trout. Conveniently located near Idaho Falls at the Gem Lake Recreation Area.

Henrys Fork – 3,350 Rainbow Trout. World Famous for trout fishing! The river is suitable for wade fishing, bank fishing and fishing from a boat.

Mill Pond – 500 Rainbow Trout. Located in Fremont County, this is also known as Stoddard Mill Pond.

Trail Creek Pond – 800 Rainbow Trout. Also known as Victor Kids Pond, this small, scenic 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.

Cape Horn Lake #1 – 240 Rainbow Trout. This is the larger of two picturesque lakes and is 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.

Cape Horn Lake #2 – 300 Rainbow Trout. This is a 10-acre mountain lake 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 Idaho Birding Trail #20. Camping is available at nearby Forest Service sites. There are no facilities available here.

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.

Josephus Lake #1 – 240 Rainbow Trout

Josephus Lake #2 – 240 Rainbow Trout

There are a few campsites available at the USFS Josephus Lake Campground and a hiking trail that heads west into the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. If you Pack it in, Pack it out!

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!

Salmon River – Sections #5-8 will be stocked with a total of 13,360 Rainbow Trout.

• Section #5 – O’Brien Campground to Torrey’s Hole – 400
• Section #6 – Lower Stanley to Sunbeam Hot Springs – 7,360
• Section #7 – Sunny Gulch Campground to Stanley – 2,400
• Section #8 – Decker Flats to Buckhorn Bridge – 3,200

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

Stanley Lake – 2,100 Rainbow Trout. Here is a large mountain lake you can drive to. This is a popular spot known for its breathtaking view of the Sawtooth Mountains. It offers great camping, fishing and places for kids to explore nature.

Valley Creek – 2,000 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!

Yankee Fork Dredge Pond #1 – 480 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 – 480 Rainbow Trout. This is the northernmost of several ponds along the Yankee Fork that have been historically stocked for anglers. Services are limited.