Fishing Prospects Still Good

In spite of the fact that 2002 is another poor water year for southern Idaho, and some reservoirs that were hit hard last year are not in much better shape now, it is not all doom and gloom for anglers in the Magic Valley Region. Several reservoirs that were severely impacted last year are in poor condition again. Fish Creek, Mormon, Roseworth, Little Camas, Thorn Creek Reservoirs and Lava Lake will not receive any more fish plantings for the rest of this year. It appears that Magic and Oakley Reservoirs will be all right and have enough water for some winter carry over and ice fishing. Since the middle of April, Magic Reservoir has received nearly 25,000 catchable (8 - 11 inch) rainbow trout. Additional regional reservoirs that have been planted with catchable trout include Blair Trail, Salmon Falls Creek, Oakley, Walcott, Sublett, Anderson Ranch and Dog Creek. Other waters stocked are Crystal Lake, Dierkes Lake, Scott's Pond, Lake Cleveland, Emerald Lake, Trinity Lakes, South Fork of the Boise River, Big and Little Smoky Creeks, Little Wood River, Rock Creek, Trapper Creek, and the Featherville Dredge ponds. The Oster Lakes, Riley Creek, and Bass Pond at Hagerman Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are stocked heavily through the summer because of the popularity of fishing there. About 55,000 catchable rainbow trout have been stocked into the Snake River at Centennial Park, Bell Rapids, Niagara Springs, and Sligar's. These were fish generously donated to the Department by commercial fish growers. Clear Springs, Rangens, Idaho Trout Processors and Pisces private trout hatcheries all contributed to this. Other species besides rainbow trout have been put into specially selected waters in our region. Catchable-sized catfish have been stocked into Anderson Pond #3 at Hagerman WMA and at Dierkes Lake; 1,300 were put into Dog Creek Reservoir and another 2,000 went into Wilson Lake. One hundred and fifty tiger muskellunge, a hybrid cross between a pike and a muskellunge, were stocked into Dog Creek Reservoir the end of June. Walleye fry were planted in Oakley Reservoir (1 million) and in Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir (1/2 million) in June. Historical records of fish stocking in Idaho can be found on the Department's website; these records go back to 1967. They are recorded and listed by waters, fish species, county, and hatchery of origin. The webpage is at www2.state.id.us/fishgame/fish/fishstocking/index.htm. Stocking activities do not vary that much from one year to the next. By referring to this website, anglers can get an idea of when their favorite body of water might be stocked next and with what species and size of fish. The proposed stocking schedule for most regional waters, for both catchables and fingerlings, should continue as planned this year. If any waters become extremely low, with water temperatures increasing and oxygen levels dropping, removal of limits or a salvage operation will be considered on a case-by-case basis.