IDFG announces July fish stocking schedule
Many of the waters stocked by Idaho Fish & Game are easy to access, family-friendly fishing destinations.
(Photo courtesy Idaho Fish & Game/ROGER PHILLIPS)
Time to grab your fishing rod and enjoy the summer sun! Fish and Game staff will be stocking over 7,500 catchable-size (10 to 12 inch) trout at the following locations across the Panhandle Region in July. All stocked fish are rainbow trout.
• Solomon Lake — Jun 28-Jul 2, 450
• Moose Lake — Jun 28-Jul 2, 500
• Clee Creek Pond— Jun 28-Jul 2, 250
• Elsie Lake — Jul 5-Jul 9, 675
• Day Rock Pond — Jul 5-Jul 9, 500
• Dismal Lake — Jul 5-Jul 9, 450
• Lucky Friday Pond — Jul 5-Jul 9, 900
• Steamboat Pond — Jul 5-Jul 9, 1,000
• Gene Day Pond — Jul 12-Jul 16, 1,000
• Lower Glidden Lake — Jul 12-Jul 16, 1,350
• Elsie Lake — Jul 19-Jul 23, 675
Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river, lake, or pond conditions, Fish and Game staff said in a press release. Dates may change due to weather or staffing constraints.
For maps of these fishing locations and other angling destinations in Idaho please visit the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Idaho Fish Planner. To learn more about high alpine lake fishing, check out IDFG's "Alpine Lakes Fishing" website.
Many of the waters highlighted are easy to access, family-friendly fishing destinations. All you need to get started is a fishing license and some basic tackle. Annual adult fishing licenses cost around $30, junior licenses (ages 14-17) cost $16, and youth under 14 fish for free.
Fishing for stocked rainbow trout, particularly in community ponds, is a great way to introduce new anglers to the sport by using simple (and relatively thrifty) set-ups like worm/marshmallow combinations or commercial baits, either near the bottom or below a bobber. The Learn to Fish webpage offers diagrams for basic bait rigs.
Most Idaho waters are open to fishing year-round, but some may have slightly different rules. Be sure to pick up a 2019-21 Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules Booklet https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/rules, which outlines season dates, special regulations and bag limits at any Idaho Fish and Game offices or most sporting goods stores statewide.
Need a little help reading Idaho's fishing regulations? Go online to to view a short video on how to use the fishing season and rules book.
Kara Campbell is a regional communications manager for Idaho Department of Fish & Game.