Memorial Day weekend is the perfect chance to spend the holiday at a new (or tried-and-true) fishing destination

It’s had a big red circle around it since the first frosts of winter. Memorial Day weekend is finally upon us, and for a lot of Idahoans, the weekend leading up to May 26 marks the kickoff to fishing season. That's right. Whether you’re a first-time fisher or a seasoned angler, Memorial Day weekend fishing offers up a whole slew of fishing opportunities across the state, and Idaho Fish and Game’s hatchery crews are stocking about 390,000 trout in May.

Uncharted waters

With the extra day off, folks can afford to drive those extra couple of miles to seek out that new fishing spot or mountain lake they’ve had pinned atop their bucket lists all year.

For those adventurous souls who are ever seeking new off-the-beaten-path fishing spots, Idaho Fish and Game’s Fishing Planner has everything a new or intrepid angler might be searching for. This online database is an easy and efficient way to search for accessible streams, lakes, and reservoirs around the state. There you can find detailed information about Idaho’s waters, stocking reports, species, facilities, maps, and rules.

High gas prices got you down? 

Long-distance travel might not be in the cards this spring, so what about the homebodies who just want to fish in town all weekend? Chances are there are plenty of close-by fishing destinations right in your backyard. 

Local ponds and lakes are usually stocked by Fish and Game staff throughout parts of the year (depending on the season), but May is when fish stocking really picks up, and it’s easy to see when a fishing spot was last stocked. 

Be sure to check out Fish and Game’s fish stocking webpage to see if your local fishing hole has been paid a visit by the stocking truck lately. 

Speaking of stocking…

As temperatures rise and the days grow longer, Fish and Game staff are working hard replenishing fisheries all around the state with rainbow trout. In May alone, nearly 390,000 catchable rainbow trout will be stocked in ponds, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

If last spring was any indicator, Memorial Day weekend could attract a lot of folks itching to get outdoors. Lots of fish means lots of anglers. And lots of anglers can mean not a lot of easy fishing access. Remember to be courteous of other anglers and allow ample room along shorelines and boat docks.

If you’re thinking about heading out, fisheries staff has compiled some options for places that provide excellent fishing as well as lots of campgrounds, boat ramps, day-use areas, and other facilities that can accommodate a lot of people.

May 2025 Statewide Stocking Report

Hit the link above to check out some lakes, reservoirs and local ponds that are getting lots of trout and are among the most angler friendly.

This list only scratches the surface, and these are some of Idaho’s favorite waters with plenty of developed facilities. Some of these destinations favor folks who own boats, but most provide good shore access as well.