Statewide trout stocking highlights for May 2026

Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking over 240,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this May. 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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May 2026 Fish Stocking Highlights

Fernan Lake – 5,200 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.

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. It's a great place for a small boat, kayak or canoe along Idaho Birding Trail 14 - 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 swimming beach.

Sinclair Lake – 450 Rainbow Trout. A small, quiet lake beside the Moyie River, this is ideal for beginning and skilled anglers to enjoy good trout fishing.

Smith Lake – 1,575 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.

Campbells Pond – 2,000 Rainbow Trout. This is a scenic forest pond where anglers can expect good catch rates. There are several docks, including one handicap-accessible dock, and a developed boat ramp.

Deer Creek Reservoir – 3,000 Rainbow Trout and 2,500 Tiger Trout! This beautiful mountain reservoir was built specifically for trout fishing. Rainbow trout are stocked in this remote setting for high catch rates from shore or a boat. Boaters, please observe the no-wake restriction.

Deyo Reservoir – 5,000 Rainbow Trout. Nestled amid farms and timber, this waterbody 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.

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

Fenn Pond – 500 Rainbow Trout. If you visit the Selway River and are just looking for a good place to harvest some rainbows for dinner, check out this pond. It’s located next to the Selway River and offers especially good fishing. The boardwalk and fishing dock offer easy access.

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.

Moose Creek Reservoir – 3,000 Rainbow Trout. A shallow lake in rolling timbered hills on Idaho's Birding Trail, this reservoir is ideal for kayaks and float tubes. A trail surrounds the lake and nine fishing docks provide good shore fishing opportunities. There is a small, developed boat ramp but gas motors are not allowed on this lake.

Spring Valley Reservoir – 4,000 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 – 700 Rainbow Trout. Located west of Grangeville, this lake provides fishing in the wide-open Camas Prairie. It's easy to get to and also supports a warm water fishery.

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.

Browns Pond – 600 Rainbow Trout. This small pond offers easy access to fishing on the southern edge of McCall airport.

Fischer Pond – 600 Rainbow Trout. Tucked into a city park, this pond provides good bank fishing. The pond is the cornerstone of a cooperative community effort.

Lost Valley Reservoir – 14,000 Rainbow Trout. This scenic reservoir offers anglers plenty of places to fish from the shoreline. 

Meadow Creek Pond – 600 Rainbow Trout. This is a scenic little pond nestled in the lush New Meadows valley next to the Little Salmon River.

Ol’ McDonald Pond – 300 Rainbow Trout. This small community pond in Council offers easy access next to Wilco Park

Rowland Pond (Scout Pond) – 1,500 Rainbow Trout. Also known as Scout Pond, this small but pretty pond in the woods close to McCall provides good bank fishing in a peaceful setting.

Tripod Reservoir – 480 Rainbow Trout. This small lake near Smith’s Ferry is a great place to take the kids fishing and make some memories!

Caldwell Rotary Pond – 480 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 the fishing.

Esther Simplot Pond – 420 Rainbow Trout. Located next to the Boise River, this park offers fishing and swimming, walking and biking paths, docks, shelters, playground, and a beach.

Grimes Creek – 1,600 Rainbow Trout. In addition to hatchery rainbows, small to medium-sized wild fish are also found in this creek. It is best fished shortly after high water.

Horseshoe Bend Mill Pond – 540 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 – 820 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.

McDevitt Pond – 540 Rainbow Trout. Located in west Boise's McDevitt Sports Park, this small neighborhood pond offers easily accessible fishing.

Middle Fork Payette River – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. Access is great along a well-traveled road with good camping areas nearby.

Parkcenter Pond – 420 Rainbow Trout. This is a popular local fishing pond with a paved path alongside docks and tables with maturing trees. This convenient pond is located near the greenbelt and the BSU campus.

Riverside Pond – 690 Rainbow Trout. A quiet neighborhood pond right off the Boise Greenbelt and tucked into the trees off Glenwood Road. This pond offers good bank fishing and a large fishing dock.

Sagehen Reservoir – 2,400 Rainbow Trout. This mountain reservoir is surrounded by forests. Five campgrounds are located adjacent to the reservoir and are managed by the Boise National Forest.

Weiser Community Pond – 300 Rainbow Trout. This community pond offers an easily accessible shoreline and dock fishing near the Weiser River.

Williams Pond – 550 Rainbow Trout. Located within the City of Boise's Marianne Williams Park, there is a large fishing platform, paved paths, and plenty of shoreline access.

Camas Kids Pond – 1,500 Rainbow Trout. This is a small, scenic pond near Fairfield. The Centennial Marsh and Camas Prairie Wildlife Management Area are nearby and provide great bird watching opportunities.

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.

Dog Creek Reservoir – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. Located in Gooding County, learn what to expect from this high desert reservoir in 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

Little Wood Reservoir – 6,000 Rainbow Trout. This reservoir provides great trout fishing in an upland desert setting. Bell Mountain provides a scenic backdrop for memorable sunsets year-round.

Lower Lake Creek Lake – 700 Rainbow Trout. Located just north of Sun Valley, this small lake is a great place to cast a line.

Penny Lake – 900 Rainbow Trout. Great fishing on a small pond! This lake also offers hiking and biking opportunities.

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 below Oneida Dam – 2,000 Rainbow Trout. These fish will be stocked in the very scenic Oneida Narrows reach of the river below the dam. This popular section of the river offers the longest continuous public access along the entire Bear River.

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.

Devil Creek Reservoir – 2,200 Rainbow Trout. Without a doubt, this reservoir provides some of the best trout fishing in the region and is easily accessible. Located 8 miles north of Malad, it is visible from Interstate 15.

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.

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!

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.

Twin Lakes Reservoir – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. Located near Preston, this waterbody can provide a strong fishery even in times of drought.

Birch Creek – 4,750 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.

Henrys Fork – 5,000 Rainbow Trout. World Famous for trout fishing! The river is suitable for wade fishing, bank fishing and fishing from a boat.

Horseshoe Lake – 2,500 Rainbow Trout. This is a great place to take newer anglers to catch rainbow trout. More experienced anglers may try to catch some of the Arctic Grayling that are also in the lake.

Island Park Reservoir – 18,500 Rainbow Trout. This is a large scenic reservoir on the Henrys Fork. Fishing is best from a boat, but bank fishing can be quite good in the spring.

Mackay Reservoir – 10,500 Rainbow Trout. In the high desert of the Big Lost River Valley, fishing is popular from a boat and from shore on this 1,100+ acre reservoir.

Ririe Reservoir – 18,000 Rainbow Trout and 2,200 Tiger Trout. This waterbody provides an exceptional and diverse fishery. Springtime is ideal for trolling kokanee and rainbow trout.

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.

Ryder Park Pond (Becker Pond) – 2,000 Rainbow Trout. 

Ryder Park Riverside Pond – 2,000 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. 

Snake River – 2,400 Rainbow Trout. These fish will be stocked at John’s Hole and South Tourist Park.

Trail Creek Pond – 400 Rainbow Trout. Also known as Victor Kids Pond, this small, scenic pond is located in the lush 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.

Blue Mountain Meadow Pond – 400 Rainbow Trout. This park-like pond is easy to access and overlooks the golf course in Challis. Kids will enjoy fishing from the banks and having a picnic in one of the two gazebos.

Hayden Creek Pond – 1,000 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 – 400 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 – 500 Rainbow Trout. Near downtown Salmon, this small fishing pond is regularly stocked with rainbow trout so catch rates should be good!

Mosquito Flat Reservoir – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. This remote waterbody offers trout and kokanee fishing opportunity. There is a Forest Service recreation site that has 11 campsites and a day use picnic area along the shore of this reservoir.

Paasasikwana Naokwaide Pond (South Butte Pond) – 300 Rainbow Trout. This small seasonal pond provides easy access and good fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages.

Stanley Lake – 1,000 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.