Fishing heats up for winter

JEROME - Fishing in the Magic Valley this summer was phenomenal and is continuing to remain the same this winter as private hatcheries continue to donate excess fish to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. This week Clear Springs Foods, Inc. donated 4,050 fish, averaging two pounds each. The department stocked both Dierkes and Crystal lakes to make it easy for anglers to access the fish "The fish averaged about 14-16 inches compared to the 8-10 inch fish the department usually stocks" said Karen Frank, a department fisheries technician who helped stock the donated fish. "It should make for some great fishing," said Doug Megargle, Fish and Game Regional Fisheries Manager. "This donation will provide for some great late season fishing since many of the donated trout stocked earlier this year have already been harvested." Along with Dierkes and Crystal lakes as fishing hot spots, Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir is still producing a large number trout in the creels of most anglers. "Rainbow trout Catch rates have been great at Salmon Falls," Megargle said. "Walleye fishing has been a little slow, but rainbow trout anglers are reportedly having a hard time keeping them off their hooks." Anglers headed to Deirkes Lake during the winter months, October through May, do not need a parking permit. People who access Crystal Springs State Park will have to pay $3 per vehicle, which goes up to $4 in January. People can purchase an annual State Parks permit for $25, which gives them access to any of the 32 State Parks in the state.