Statewide trout stocking highlights for September 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 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.

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

September 2026 Fish Stocking Highlights

Cocolalla Lake – 3,300 Rainbow Trout. This diverse fishery affords anglers the opportunity to catch catfish, bass, perch, crappie and a variety of trout species.

Fernan Lake – 4,825 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.

Post Falls Park Pond – 1,600 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.

Fenn Pond – 480 Rainbow Trout. If you visit the Selway River and are looking for a good place to harvest some rainbows for dinner, check out this pond! The boardwalk and fishing dock offer easy access.

Soldiers Meadow Reservoir – Located on Webb Creek about 20 miles southeast of Lewiston, this scenic reservoir is popular for rainbow trout and kokanee. It’s well-suited for kayaks, canoes, and small watercraft.

Winchester Lake – 3,000 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. Many facilities are located in Winchester State Park, where an entrance fee applies. Electric motors only.

Browns Pond (Airport Pond) – 300 Rainbow Trout. This small pond offers easy access to fishing on the southern edge of McCall airport and is hidden from the road.

Fischer Pond – 300 Rainbow Trout. Tucked into a city park, this pond provides good bank fishing and 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.

Meadow Creek Pond – 300 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.

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

Boise River, Middleton to Eagle Road – 1,296 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 Hwy 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 Rd. 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.

Crystal Springs Lake – 600 Rainbow Trout. Shoreline fishing is best near the outflow. Use of float tubes can provide access to trout holding away from the shoreline.

Dog Creek Reservoir – 2,000 Rainbow Trout. Located in Gooding County, learn what to expect from this high desert reservoir in this video: https://youtu.be/wUOy_gnXfXE

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.

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 – 1,400 Rainbow Trout
• Hagerman WMA Oster Lake #2 – 250 Rainbow Trout
• Hagerman WMA Oster Lake #3 – 450 Rainbow Trout
• Hagerman WMA Oster Lake #4 – 450 Rainbow Trout
• Hagerman WMA Riley Creek Pond – 1,400 Rainbow Trout

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. A short drive south of Twin Falls, this large reservoir in Idaho's high desert provides plentiful fishing options with boat ramps and long shorelines. You can help maintain the natural beauty of this unique area by driving on existing roads when they are dry.

Bannock Reservoir – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. Located within the Portneuf Wellness Complex in Pocatello, this community park offers good trout fishing. Multiple docks provide fishing access around the 5-acre pond.

Bear River Below Alexander Dam – 750 Rainbow Trout. For those willing to hike down to the bottom of the canyon, fishing can be really good in this section of the river. 

Bear River Below Oneida Dam – 1,250 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.

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 – 5,200 Rainbow Trout. 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 Rearing Pond – 500 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.

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 – 2,000 Rainbow Trout. This is a great place to take newer anglers to catch rainbow trout. 

Island Park Reservoir – 10,500 Rainbow Trout. Bank fishing can be quite good in the fall at this large scenic reservoir on the Henrys Fork.

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 for enjoyable fishing.

Ryder Park Pond (Becker Pond) – 1,625 Rainbow Trout. 

Ryder Park Riverside Pond – 2,125 Rainbow Trout.

These two ponds are located off Sunnyside Road in Idaho Falls. 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 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.

Hayden Creek Pond – 1,500 Rainbow Trout. A family friendly fishing area where anglers will find ample bank fishing opportunities.

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.

Johnson Pond – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. This pond is unique as it is the only fishery in the region where anglers can catch rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and panfish!

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.