Statewide trout stocking highlights for September 2024

Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking roughly 115,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout this September. 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. 

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. 

September 2024 Fish Stocking Highlights

Fernan Lake – 5,400 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.

Gene Day Pond – 600 rainbow trout

Also known as Osburn Pond, this water is stocked regularly so catch rates should be good.

Kelso Lake – 1,000 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 and is along Idaho Birding Trail #14, so bring your binoculars.

Post Falls Park Pond – 600 rainbow trout

This park offers a great fishing spot for kids and anglers with special needs. Anglers can easily fish the small pond from a fishing bridge, shore, or fishing platforms. Take some time to also enjoy the adjacent park, nature trails, falls, and picnic areas.

Smith Lake – 540 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 – 600 rainbow trout

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

Campbells Pond – 1,000 rainbow trout

This is a scenic forest pond where anglers can expect solid catch rates. Good fishing can be had from the bank with several docks, including one handicap-accessible dock.

Hordemann Pond – 250 rainbow trout

This pond is located in Moscow at Kiwanis Park.

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!

Robinson Pond – 500 rainbow trout

Located a short distance from Kamiah, this is a great spot to take the kids fishing.

Browns Pond – 500 rainbow trout

This small pond offers easy access to fishing on the southern edge of the McCall airport.

Fischer Pond – 500 rainbow trout

Tucked into a city park, this pond provides good bank fishing. The pond is the cornerstone of a cooperative community effort.

Horsethief Reservoir – 7,500 rainbow trout

This reservoir has everything for a memorable fishing trip: a beautiful lake in the trees, good fishing, and camping. NOTE: The area has been closed due to fire activity, so please check fire closure status before heading out Warm Lake Road. 

Meadow Creek Pond – 500 rainbow trout

Also known as Kimberland Meadows Pond, this is a beautiful little pond nestled in the lush New Meadows valley next to the Little Salmon River.

Ol’ McDonald Pond – 500 rainbow trout

This small community pond in Council offers easy access next to Wilco Park.

The Boise River offers miles of fishing in one of the finest urban trout rivers in the country!

• Boise River, Strawberry Glen to Barber Dam – 1,300 rainbow trout
• Boise River, Middleton to Eagle Road – 1,300 rainbow trout

Lowman Ponds – 360 rainbow trout

Enjoy good mountain fishing along the South Fork Payette River.

Marsing Pond – 270 rainbow trout

This pond is located off State Highway 55 below the Snake River bridge.

McDevitt Pond – 540 rainbow trout

Located in west Boise's McDevitt Sports Park, this small neighborhood pond offers easily accessible fishing.

Riverside Pond – 690 rainbow trout

A quiet neighborhood pond right off the Boise Greenbelt, this pond is 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.

Dierkes Lake – 4,500 rainbow trout

This pond is conveniently located inside Shoshone Falls Park near Twin Falls. This county park also features hiking, fishing docks, and picnic areas.

Dog Creek Reservoir – 2,000 rainbow trout

Located in Gooding County, check out this video to learn what to expect from this high desert reservoir. 

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. Kids Pond is open to kids 12 and under and 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, so take the kids fishing!

Lake Cleveland – 2,500 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.

Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir – 13,550 rainbow trout

This reservoir in Idaho's high desert provides tons of fishing options with boat ramps and long shorelines. Facilities available depend on access location. Road conditions may deteriorate when saturated. You can help maintain the natural beauty of this unique area by driving on existing roads when they are dry.

Thorn Creek Reservoir – 2,000 rainbow trout

This high desert reservoir is quiet and remote. There is ample bank fishing and rocky outcrops along the perimeter offer scenic fishing access points; sturdy footwear is recommended. Please note, a high-clearance vehicle is recommended, access may require 4WD at times, and roads may become impassable when wet.

Bannock Reservoir – 1,000 rainbow trout

Located within the Portneuf Wellness Complex near the County Fairgrounds in Pocatello, this community park offers good trout fishing. Multiple docks provide fishing access around the 5-acre pond.

Bear River (Oneida Narrows reach below the dam) – 1,500 rainbow trout

A very scenic stretch of river just north of Preston.

Crowthers Reservoir – 1,100 rainbow trout

Tucked away on the northern edge of Malad City, this reservoir is a nice local fishing spot.

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 – 5,150 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 – 1,000 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.

Montpelier Reservoir – 1,200 rainbow trout

This reservoir offers angling opportunity for a variety of fish species in a peaceful rural setting. 

Gem Lake – 3,000 rainbow trout

Conveniently located near Idaho Falls at the Gem Lake Recreation Area.

Horseshoe Lake – 1,500 rainbow trout

This is a great place to take newer anglers to catch rainbow trout. 

Island Park Reservoir – 13,270 rainbow trout

This is a large scenic reservoir on the Henrys Fork. Bank fishing can be quite good in the fall.

Rexburg City Ponds – 600 rainbow trout

These ponds are within Rexburg's 15-acre nature park. The park has walking paths, a skate park, and picnic and play areas in a tranquil environment away from traffic.

• Ryder Park Pond (Becker Pond) – 1,750 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.

Teardrop Lake – 1,000 rainbow trout

Also known as Snow Creek Pond, it’s located off the beaten path northeast of Ashton in the Targhee National Forest. Please be Bear Aware!

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, with trails and picnic tables around the perimeter.

Blue Mountain Meadow Pond – 300 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 – 1,500 rainbow trout

A family-friendly fishing area where anglers will find ample bank fishing opportunities. Stocking will be dependent on whether or not the bridge construction is completed.

Hyde Creek Pond – 600 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 – 600 rainbow trout

Near downtown Salmon, this small fishing pond is regularly stocked with rainbow trout so catch rates should be good! 

Mosquito Flat Reservoir – 1,500 rainbow trout

This reservoir has a Forest Service campground and a day-use picnic area along the shore.