Idaho Fish and Game stocks over 30 million fish from its hatcheries into waters throughout the state every year, providing Idahoans with fishing opportunities for a variety of species.
With so many fish stocked in so many places, it can be hard for anglers to sift through the stocking forecasts and records to identify noteworthy stocking events. To make it easier, we asked Fish and Game hatchery staff to highlight some stocking events for the month of November.
Whether it is a large number of fish being stocked relative to the size of the water, a unique species, a new location, or a one-time-only stocking, we asked them to point out events anglers would be interested in knowing about. Here’s what they came up with:
November 2019 Fish Stocking Highlights
Southwest Region (Nampa)
Esther Simplot Pond – 1,300 Rainbow Trout. Located next to the Boise River, this park offers fishing, walking and biking paths, docks, shelters, and a playground.
Horseshoe Bend Mill Pond – 900 Rainbow Trout. Just north of town, this pond features easy access and productive fishing for bass and trout in a pleasant setting. This pond is one of more than seventy waters designated as Family Fishing Waters in Idaho. These waters have been established to make it easier for families to go and enjoy fishing. The rules are simple and there are lots of fish to catch.
Nicholson Pond – 225 Rainbow Trout. This small neighborhood pond offers easily accessible fishing for trout and panfish within Nicholson Park next to Indian Creek in Kuna.
Parkcenter Pond – 750 Rainbow Trout. Conveniently located near downtown Boise, the greenbelt and the BSU campus, this pond is a popular local fishing spot with a paved path alongside docks and tables with maturing trees.
Payette Greenway Pond – 450 Rainbow Trout. This easily accessible pond along the Payette River offers partially paved access and a variety of fishing options. Near the confluence of the Payette and Snake Rivers, this gives anglers the choice of fishing the pond or either river.
Sawyers Pond – 900 Rainbow Trout. This pond complex offers lots of fishing options. Anglers can launch small boats to access a series of ponds of varying sizes. Numerous docks and shoreline access provide great fishing opportunities.
Settlers Park Pond – 250 Rainbow Trout. This small neighborhood pond offers easily accessible fishing alongside sports park activities within Settlers Park in Meridian.
Magic Valley Region
Filer Kids Pond and Filer Pond – 690 Rainbow Trout. These two ponds are a quick drive from Twin Falls. Both feature excellent access with regular trout stocking. Kids Pond is open to kids 12 and under and Filer Pond is open to anglers of any age.
Southeast Region
Snake River (Tilden to Shelley) – 39,950 Rainbow Trout. Several thousand fish will be released at each of the following sites on the Snake River: Tilden, Blackfoot, Firth and Shelley.
Salmon Region
Hayden Creek Pond – 600 Rainbow Trout. Here is a family friendly fishing area in the high desert along Hayden Creek. Anglers will find ample bank fishing opportunities and a dock for anglers with limited mobility.
Hyde Creek Pond – 400 Rainbow Trout. This small irrigation pond is surrounded by sagebrush. The open site and level terrain provide ideal bank fishing for beginning anglers and those who want to practice casting techniques.