Old man winter is finally hitting the bricks, and as the temperatures creep up, fish get a little more active and Idaho Fish and Game stocking trucks start delivering more fish across the state.
Maybe ol’ Saint Nick delivered a new fishing pole to a kid during Christmas, or your trusty old fishing rod has been stuck in the rafters since last year, but either way, the time is here to get out on the water and try to catch some fish.
Child fishing for stocked rainbow trout.
Spring fishing is an exceptional opportunity for anglers new to the sport or seasoned anglers wanting to get back on the water with their friends or families.
Trout are a favorite quarry in early spring because they remain active year round, but they perk up as water starts to warm after the cold winter. Fish and Game stocks tens of thousands of trout for anglers every month, and spring and early summer are the busiest time of year for hatchery crews.
But trout aren’t the only type of fishing available. Warmwater fishing can bounce back remarkably fast with a streak of warm, sunny weather, and many other species, such as perch, crappie and bluegill, become very active during spring.
A good rule of thumb is fish like warming or stable weather during spring, but fishing tends to fall off when there’s a cold spell. With so many fishing opportunities near Idaho’s cities and towns, spring is a good chance to check out your local waters.
Not sure where to go fishing? Check out these easily accessible and regularly stocked lakes and ponds all across the state.
Fishing at Hayden Lake
Panhandle
Coeur d’Alene Lake & Chain Lakes
If you’ve never tried your hand at catching a northern pike, maybe this is the year to give it a go. March and April are great months to get after them, especially for anglers without a boat looking to fish from the shoreline. Pre-spawn pike can be targeted early in the season simply using a bobber and bait. Catch rates typically aren’t very high during this time of year, but it is certainly when some of the biggest fish get caught.
Once mid-April rolls around, northern pike will actively chase lures making them well-suited to be targeted from a boat. Pike typically take up residence in shallow bays, so check out the Chain Lakes or any of the shallow bays in Coeur d’Alene Lake to hook up with one this year.
Not into pike fishing? No problem. Any of the ten Chain Lakes offer good opportunity for bass, bluegill, crappie and even channel catfish in Rose Lake.
Fernan Lake lies only a stone’s throw away from Coeur d’Alene city limits, and it offers anglers the chance to catch perch, crappie, bluegill, bass, channel catfish and rainbow trout. Beginning in early-April and ending in October, Fernan Lake is stocked with a total of 25,000-30,000 catchable rainbow trout. As water temperatures warm throughout the spring and into early-summer, fishing for the assorted warmwater fish in the lake gets even better.
To sweeten the pot, docks and boat ramp access are abundant at the east and west ends of the lake and from the road that runs along the north side of the lake. Fernan Lake is a great place to cast spinners or soak bait under a bobber from the shoreline.
Lowland Lakes
The Panhandle is home to plenty of lowland lakes, many of which offer great opportunity for folks looking to fish from the shoreline. Here are a few to consider:
- Shepherd Lake in Bonner County
- Gamlin Lake in Bonner County
- Round Lake in Bonner County
- Dawson Lake in Boundary County
- Kelso Lake in Bonner County
- Brush Lake in Boundary County
Each of these lakes has great access, and each one offers anglers the chance to land a variety of warmwater fish species including largemouth bass, bluegill, and yellow perch among others. In addition, with the exception of Shepherd and Gamble lakes, you might find a hatchery-stocked rainbow trout tugging at the end of your line. For any of these lowland lakes, you can never go wrong flinging spinners or simply soaking a worm under a bobber.
Dworshak day boy and his fish
Clearwater
Looking for a big body of water in the heart of Clearwater country? Dworshak Reservoir in central Idaho along the North Fork of the Clearwater River offers anglers both picturesque mountain views and chances at hooking several species of fish, most notably smallmouth bass and kokanee.
Fish and Game biologists are anticipating good bass fishing this spring due to the high abundance of kokanee in the reservoir. Young kokanee are a primary food source for bass, and with roughly 10 million kokanee estimated to be in Dworshak, one might call it a smallmouth bass heaven.
In addition to stocked rainbow trout as well as crappie, cutthroat trout and bull trout, kokanee are a fun game fish to target in the reservoir. With a daily bag limit of 25, fishing for kokanee is a great way to spend a day out on the water surrounded by the wooded mountains of the Clearwater National Forest.
Mann Lake – well, technically a reservoir – is 137-acres holding a number of game fish, including catfish, perch, bass, bluegill and you guessed it, rainbow trout. Fishing at Mann Lake is usually a good option early because it is a lower-elevation lake that hits prime temperatures quickly when the things warm up.
Mann Lake is easily accessible and close to the city of Lewiston, making for the perfect getaway. The reservoir was recently stocked with over 5,400 rainbow trout in March and is typically bolstered with more trout (and, on occasion, channel catfish) sporadically throughout late spring and summer.
Southwest
This huge impoundment of the Snake and Bruneau rivers is no stranger to early season anglers, and for good reason. C.J. Strike Reservoir provides a variety of fishing and boating access sites and a grab-bag of species to choose from. Anglers at C.J. Strike have enjoyed some of the best crappie fishing that Idaho has to offer in recent years, and while we are probably nearing the tail-end of the crappie boom that got its start in 2017, there is still good fishing to be had in 2022.
In addition to the crappie, perch, bass and trout that Strike is typically associated with, kokanee enthusiasts might remember that the reservoir was stocked with kokanee for the first time in 2020 — a one-time event made possible by a statewide size-at-release study and a surplus of kokanee fingerlings.
Those same kokanee are just now reaching catchable sizes, and biologists have observed some good growth rates for kokanee in the reservoir. Due to low numbers of kokanee fingerlings stocked (90,000) relative to the sheer size of C.J. Strike, catch rates are not likely to be as high as some of the region’s more renowned kokanee fisheries, but it’s another “bonus” opportunity for anglers to keep in mind for this spring.
Fish and Game stocked this reservoir with 20,000 trout in October, and many of those trout cruise the shorelines in early spring. Bank anglers using bait can catch limits of fish in the 16-inch range, and there's easy vehicle access to the shoreline along the reservoir. Idaho Fish and Game fisheries managers are expecting kokanee fishing to be good this year at both Arrowrock and Lucky Peak Reservoir.
kokanee, Lucky Peak, Southwest Region
Speaking of Lucky Peak, this large reservoir is just a quick drive out of the Treasure Valley, and it provides opportunities for anglers to catch trout near shore and lots of trolling for kokanee salmon for boaters. The reservoir can actually fish better in the early season during cooler weather because warm, sunny weather can melt the snowpack and make the reservoir cold and murky.
Treasure Valley Ponds
There are almost too many to list, but safe to say it's easy to find one near all the communities in the Treasure Valley where trout are stocked, and there are often warmwater fish available. Here is a list of waters that will be stocked in late March and early April.
Magic Valley
This large, high-desert reservoir is about 35 miles south of Twin Falls, and is probably best known for its walleye and rainbow trout fishing. In early April, Fish and Game is scheduled to stock 18,000 catchable rainbow trout (10-12 inches) in the reservoir.
The walleye population is strong as well, with the majority in the 12-14 inch range with limits of six per day (one only over 20 inches). Depending on late winter conditions, anglers may find some ice on the reservoir so caution is especially important when venturing out on the ice.
The area surrounding the reservoir is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, which provides camping and boating access facilities, such as the Lud Drexler Park and campground near the dam.
The two Royse boys out fishing with their dad on the Snake River near Bell Rapids January 2021.
Bell Rapids (Snake River near Hagerman)
The Bell Rapids stretch of the Snake River is great for largemouth or smallmouth bass. West of Hagerman, the upper reach of Bell Rapids can be accessed at the Hagerman boat launch or downstream at the end of Pioneer Road off of Highway 30, just north of Hagerman. The Hagerman boat launch provides docks, which makes it a great place for kids to fish. Anglers can also find rainbow trout and panfish.
This high-desert reservoir is fed by the waters of the Big Wood River and because it was constructed to provide irrigation for local agricultural operations, the water levels fluctuate throughout the summer.
It can be accessed through several points, the easiest being Highway 75, turning onto East Magic Road. There are several launch and load ramps available to boaters. The reservoir is stocked by Fish and Game and is scheduled to receive 7,500 catchable rainbow trout in early April.
Southeast
The 6-acre reservoir is part of the Portneuf Wellness Complex in Pocatello. It is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and occasionally a few lunkers. In addition, the reservoir was recently stocked with largemouth bass and bluegill to add some variety. The daily trout limit is six and can be caught using bait, lures or flies.
Edson Fichter Community Fishing Pond boy baiting his hook from a dock June 2015
This 3-acre urban fishery is tucked inside Edson Fichter Nature Area in south Pocatello. Folks can access the pond via paved trails connected to a parking lot. Multiple access sites along the bank, including two large docks, provide several options for landing fish.
This pond is also ADA-accessible. Rainbow trout and occasional behemoths are stocked at this pond, and there are a few bluegill and bass swimming around too. The fish aren’t too picky – anglers do well with wooly buggers, small dry flies, worms and marshmallows.
Looking for a pond perfect for the youngest of anglers? Look no further than Upper Kelly Park Pond at Arthur Kelly Park in Soda Springs.
This 1-acre pond is stocked with rainbows, and catch rates are usually excellent. When kids get tired of fishing or exploring the trails, take them down into town for ice cream or to check out the world’s only captive geyser at Geyser Park. (Pro tip: Don’t waste time fishing the lower pond near the parking lot…it’s not stocked with fish!)
Chances are good that you’ll get some bites from bluegill, largemouth bass, perch or rainbows at this 200-plus acre reservoir about 4 miles northeast of Preston. The best access is by small boat, but docks and limited shore access are also available.
Per Consolidated Irrigation Company access rules, all watercraft must be inspected by on-site irrigation company staff, and users are subject to an inspection fee. For Franklin County residents that means $10 and for nonresidents to Franklin County, $20. Because of its size, this reservoir fishes well even later into summer when the July heat is at its peak.
Fishing at Ryder Park
Upper Snake
Ryder Park Ponds: Becker & Riverside
Managed by the Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department, Ryder Park has two ponds for double the fishing fun. Becker and Riverside ponds are within 50 yards of each other, and both are stocked with rainbows.
Becker Pond is well manicured and surrounded by a walking path that leads to several picnic shelters and an ADA-accessible dock. Riverside Pond offers a more primitive setting, giving anglers some elbow room. Small spinners are a good option when temperatures are cool, but sinking a worm or other bait close to the bottom seems to work well in both ponds.
Jim Moore Pond (Roberts Gravel Pond)
A few mile south of Roberts, this hidden gem provides fishing adventures for kids looking to hook some perch. While small, the perch are constantly active and offer high catch rates that really hooks a kid’s attention.
Smaller hooks or lures with a little chunk of bait attached are the ticket to reeling in perch at this pond. The bite is usually light, so try using a small bobber to detect strikes. Sometimes the action is so hot that perch have been known to bite a bare hook.
In addition to yellow perch, catfish and rainbow trout can also be caught here. Restrooms are available, and the access roads are generally in good condition.
Fishing at Gem Lake
South of Idaho Falls, Gem Lake Recreation Area is a slow moving body of water between the Upper and Lower Gem State Dams. About 12,000 rainbow trout are stocked in Gem Lake every year beginning in March. Long stretches of shoreline are open to anglers from both the Gem Lake north boat launch and the Gem Lake Recreation Area on Township Road.
Relative to some other water, rainbow and brown trout can grow a little larger here, but will need a slow presentation to tempt a bite in the early spring. Try a slow retrieve jig or good-sized worm to produce results.
Salmon
Located in Salmon, Kids Creek Pond features a fishing dock, restrooms and pavilion with picnic tables, making this a convenient fishing hole for those short on time. Kids Creek Pond is stocked with rainbow trout. Kids can sometimes land a hatchery steelhead. In some years, hatchery steelhead or Chinook salmon returning to Pahsimeroi Hatchery are released in the pond for a rare fishing opportunity.
Hyde Creek Pond is a small irrigation pond that provides good bank fishing for beginning anglers. This pond is on private property south of Salmon on the road to the Sunset Heights subdivision. Remember to be respectful and clean up any litter before you leave.
Hayden Creek Pond is another popular family fishing hole with a picnic shelter, tables, grills and restroom. The 1.7-acre pond is about 24 miles south of Salmon on Highway 28 and 3 miles south on Hayden Creek Road. Because spring water feeds the pond, thus creating good habitat, the fish that don't get caught right away continue to grow, giving anglers an opportunity to catch some larger trout as the season progresses.
Have fun out there this spring
Remember to keep it simple when fishing with kids. Using simple setups like worm and marshmallow combinations or Power Bait near the bottom or below a bobber will usually do the trick.