Ask the Conservation Officer (CO)

by Gary Hompland, Regional Conservation Officer Question: "The Twin Falls area has a real gem with the stream in Rock Creek Canyon. Are there any trout in it and how's the fishing?" Answer: Rock Creek is a nice tributary stream to the Snake River that flows through Twin Falls. It contains hatchery supplemented rainbow and German brown trout. Historically, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game stocked fingerling German brown trout in Rock Creek after the spring high water flows. In recent years stocking of hatchery catchable rainbow trout has been completed by the College of Southern Idaho's aquaculture program. According to Terry Patterson, the head of CSI's aquaculture program, they stock approximately 5,000 8- to 11-inch rainbow trout in Rock Creek annually. He said they stock in late summer and early fall after stream flows have stabilized and water quality has improved. Places they stock fish include: the Victory Bridge, the Highway 30 Bridge, and at Rock Creek Park. The CSI aquaculture program has also provided hatchery trout for several local fund raisers. Patterson said he appreciates being able to teach CSI students how to raise and handle fish in the hatchery as well as transport them to areas where the public has an opportunity to catch them. As far as "How the fishing is in Rock Creek" it's great! Fishing is always great! It's the catching that is sometimes lacking! If you have any further questions you may call the Magic Valley Regional Office of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at (208)324-4350 or e-mail us at the Fish and Game web site at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov.