Hatchery highlights for April
Photo by Josh Royse The two Royse boys out fishing with their dad on the Snake River near Bell Rapids in January.
By BRYAN GRANT
Fish Hatchery Complex Manager
Spring is here, and hatchery staff have ramped up fish stocking around the state, with trout bound for water bodies in each of Fish and Game's seven regions. About 213,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout will be stocked throughout Idaho during April, more than three times as many as they stocked in March.
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 April:
Panhandle Region
Cocolalla Lake — 6,600 rainbow trout. Near Westmond, this 800-acre lake offers a variety of fishing opportunity. Anglers regularly have luck trolling spoons, spinners, and flies throughout the lake. Fly fishing can also be a productive technique and anglers often target areas around the inlets and outlet of the lake.
Fernan Lake — 12,000 rainbow trout. A popular fishing spot 10 minutes from downtown Coeur d'Alene, anglers of all abilities can enjoy fishing from floating docks, miles of shoreline, or from boats.
Jewel Lake — 2,700 rainbow trout. A peaceful lake where anglers can catch rainbow trout, channel catfish, and lots of bluegill that will thrill young anglers. There is a single fishing dock to help with access in this forested and picturesque rural setting.
Post Falls Park Pond — 1,000 rainbow trout. This park offers a great fishing spot for kids and anglers with special needs. Anglers can easily fish the small pond from a fishing bridge, shore, or fishing platforms. Take some time to also enjoy the adjacent park, nature trails, falls, and picnic areas.
Spicer Pond — 1,000 rainbow trout. This is a small, easily accessed pond next to the St. Maries River near the town of St. Maries.