Idaho Fish and Game has continued stocking fish during COVID-19, and despite this being an abnormal year, most of Idaho's angling opportunities remain unchanged. Here's a sampling of some places that will get generous trout stockings during July.
To see more about what waters have been stocked, go our the Fish Stocking webpage.
Panhandle Region
Day Rock Pond – 500 Rainbow Trout. This is a small pond in the Silver Valley where anglers can easily fish from the shore.
Dismal Lake – 450 Rainbow Trout. This is the only annual stocking event for this waterbody.
Lower Glidden Lake – 1,350 Rainbow Trout. This is a beautiful drive-to alpine lake. It's a great spot for anglers of all levels and a scenic choice for a small boat. It also offers plenty of hiking trails and wildlife.
Clearwater Region
Campbells Pond – 2,000 Rainbow Trout. This is a scenic forest pond where anglers can expect good catch rates. There is plenty of fishing opportunity available from the bank with several docks, including one handicap-accessible dock, and a developed boat ramp.
Elk Creek Reservoir – 3,000 Rainbow Trout. A forested road parallels the entire west side of this reservoir for easy access to fishing areas with four fishing docks and a boat ramp. The east side of the reservoir provides great boat fishing opportunities where foot access is difficult.
Five Mile Pond – 1,600 Rainbow Trout. Resting near the bank of Crooked River, this is a popular fishing spot for anglers of all ages.
Southwest Region
Middle Fork Payette River – 1,500 Rainbow Trout. Redband trout, brook trout, and stocked hatchery rainbows support this fine fishery. Access is great along a well-traveled road with good camping areas nearby.
North Fork Boise River – 3,500 Rainbow Trout. This is a popular mountain river where anglers can target a variety of salmonids within the mainstem and tributaries. Catch rates on this river won’t disappoint you!
Southwest Region (McCall area)
Fischer Pond – 750 Rainbow Trout. Tucked into a city park, this pond provides good bank fishing. The pond is the cornerstone of a cooperative community effort.
Ol’ McDonald Pond – 500 Rainbow Trout. This small community pond in Council offers easy access next to Wilco Park, a stone's throw from the highway. It's a great place to practice casting and pick up a trout for dinner.
Rowland Pond – 1,500 Rainbow Trout. A small but pretty pond in the woods close to McCall, anglers will find good bank fishing in this peaceful setting. Locals also refer to this as Scout Pond.
Tripod Reservoir – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. This is a small mountain lake near Smith's Ferry and is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. Check out this awesome video to get you excited to take the kids fishing!
Magic Valley Region
Big Trinity Lake – 2,000 Rainbow Trout. In addition to good fishing, there is a USFS campground available at this high alpine getaway. While you’re here, take a drive to the summit of Trinity Mountain (if the road is not blocked by snow).
Featherville Dredge Pond – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. This former gravel pit is now a nice trout fishing pond with camping nearby. This is also referred to as Placer Pond. Here is a cool video highlighting the pond!
Lake Cleveland – 5,000 Rainbow Trout. First stocking event of the year for this popular lake!
Southeast Region
Montpelier Rearing Pond – 500 Rainbow Trout. This little fishing spot is tucked into a scenic high desert canyon at 6500 feet in the hills east of Montpelier. Anglers can fish the pond, or head ½ mile north up Crow Creek Road to Montpelier Reservoir for a chance to catch other species.
Pebble Creek – 500 Rainbow Trout. Fish will be stocked in and around Big Springs Campground.
Snake River below American Falls Dam – 4,000 Rainbow Trout. Fish will be stocked at Three Layer Park and Pipeline.
Upper Snake Region
Becker Pond (Ryder Park Pond) – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. This is a great place for new anglers or kids to try their hand at fishing. The open landscape is ideal to learn to fly fish or brush up on other casting methods.
Henrys Fork – 6,700 Rainbow Trout. World Famous for trout fishing! The river is suitable for wade fishing, bank fishing and fishing from a boat.
Horseshoe Lake – 1,500 Rainbow Trout. This is a great place to take newer anglers to catch rainbow trout. More experienced anglers can try to catch some of the Artic Grayling that are stocked annually.
Ryder Park Riverside Pond – 1,000 Rainbow Trout. Located adjacent to Becker Pond (Ryder Park Pond), this is a great place to take the kids fishing.
Salmon Region
Bayhorse Lake - 2,000 Rainbow Trout – and Little Bayhorse Lake - 1,000 Rainbow Trout – Anglers will find good catch rates at these drive-in mountain lakes. Separated by a ridge and 250 vertical feet, the lakes are connected by a mile long hiking trail. Both lakes offer primitive campsites and a scenic escape from the summer heat.
Cape Horn Lake #1 – 300 Rainbow Trout – and Cape Horn Lake #2 – 500 Rainbow Trout – These lakes are well-suited for float tubes or a small boat, but offer limited shoreline access. The area is good for wildlife viewing and is Idaho Birding Trail #20.
Josephus Lake #1 - 400 Rainbow Trout - and Josephus Lake #2 - 400 Rainbow Trout – There are a few campsites available at USFS Josephus Lake Campground and a hiking trail that heads west into the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.
See more about Fish and Game's trout stocking program: