Many of Idaho’s lakes and ponds are soon going to be bolstered with Idaho Fish and Game stocking roughly 160,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout, as well as a couple of tiger trout stocking locations this July. Wondering if the stocking trucks are going to be backing up to your favorite fishing hole? We asked our Fish and Game hatchery staff to boil down some of the most notable stocking highlights coming to your local fishery this month.
Many of these fisheries highlighted below 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. Go to Fish and Game's online vendor to buy a license.
Fishing for stocked rainbow trout can be a great way to introduce budding anglers to the sport by using simple, inexpensive setups like worm/marshmallow combinations or commercial baits like PowerBait® or Crave, placed either near the bottom or below a bobber; and as anglers know, there’s nothing quite like a trout fighting on the end of your line. 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 2022-2024 Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules Booklet – available at any Idaho Fish and Game office or most sporting goods stores statewide – or download online to look at season dates, special regulations and bag limits.
July 2023 Fish Stocking Highlights
(We’ve listed the Panhandle, Clearwater and Southwest regions)
Panhandle Region
Day Rock Pond – 500 rainbow trout
This is a small pond in the Silver Valley where anglers can easily fish from the shore.
Gene Day Pond – 1,000 rainbow trout
Also known as Osburn Pond, this water is stocked regularly so catch rates should be good!
Elsie Lake – 1,350 rainbow trout
Offers excellent fishing for anglers of all skill levels. It's a drive-to mountain lake, but be cautious because the road is rough.
Lower Glidden Lake – 1,350 rainbow trout
This is another beautiful drive-to alpine lake. It's a great spot for anglers of all levels and a scenic choice for a small boat. It also offers plenty of hiking trails and wildlife.
Clearwater Region
Campbells Pond – 2,000 rainbow trout
This is a scenic forest pond where anglers can expect good catch rates. There is plenty of fishing opportunity available from the bank with several docks, including one handicap-accessible dock, and a developed boat ramp.
Deer Creek Reservoir – 2,100 rainbow trout
This beautiful mountain reservoir was built specifically for trout fishing. Rainbow trout are stocked in this remote setting for high catch rates from shore or a boat. Boaters, please observe the no-wake restriction.
Elk Creek Reservoir – 3,000 rainbow trout
A forested road parallels the entire west side of this reservoir for easy access to fishing areas, with four fishing docks and a boat ramp. The east side of the reservoir provides great boat fishing opportunities where foot access is difficult.
Fenn Pond – 500 rainbow trout
If you visit the Selway River and are looking for a good place to harvest some rainbows for dinner, check out this pond. The boardwalk and fishing dock offer easy access.
Karolyns Pond – 800 rainbow trout
Located at the Clearwater Hatchery's satellite facility on the Red River, this is a pretty pond with grassy banks and a dock for fishing. It's small enough that an angler can cast to any part of the pond from shore. There is a Forest Service campground a bit further up Red River Road, so make it an overnight camping trip.
White Sands Pond – 800 rainbow trout
Also known as Powell Pond, it’s located adjacent to the scenic Lochsa River just a short distance off Highway 12.
Southwest Region (McCall)
Fischer Pond – 1,000 rainbow trout
Tucked into a city park, this pond provides good bank fishing. The pond is the cornerstone of a cooperative community effort.
Goose Lake – 4,000 rainbow trout
Located north of New Meadows near Granite Mountain, this is the only stocking event of the year for this lake. Fish are stocked at the campground boat launch.
Ol’ McDonald Pond – 500 rainbow trout
This small community pond in Council offers easy access next to Wilco Park.
Rowland Pond – 2,000 rainbow trout
Also known as Scout Pond, this is a pretty pond in the woods close to McCall. Anglers will find good bank fishing in this peaceful setting.
Tripod Reservoir – 800 rainbow trout
This is a small mountain lake near Smith's Ferry and is regularly stocked with rainbow trout.