May means rainbow trout stocking in the Panhandle

Beginning this month, approximately 50,000 catchable-size rainbow trout will be stocked in more than 26 lakes and ponds in the Panhandle.

The hatchery-reared trout that are between 10 inches and a foot long will be planted from St. Maries to the northern Panhandle with some of the most popular family waters getting first dibs. Spicer Pond in St. Maries, Gene Day Pond in Osburn, and Steamboat Pond on the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River are among the first places trout will be stocked, while other lakes including Fernan have already gotten a dose of new fish.

Many Boundary and Bonner County lakes have already been stocked including Brush Lake (1,800), Bonner Lake (1,000) Smith (1,900) and Robinson (2,500). Cocolalla Lake will get 3,300 catchable size rainbow trout beginning May 13, and Fernan Lake will get an additional 6,000 fish this month. Lower Twin Lake, Kelso and Round lakes are also inline to get almost 10,000 catchable size rainbows this month.

For a complete list and schedule visit the IDFG website. The department plans to stock rainbows in waters, where they will not impact native west slope cutthroat populations, throughout the summer.