Fish of Idaho

The fish of Idaho are an important part of the attraction for those who live in, relocate to or visit Idaho. These fish - trout, steelhead, salmon, many warm-water varieties and even prehistoric sturgeon - make the state one of the popular fishing locations in North America. Along with its fish, Idaho has classic streams, lakes and reservoirs to make the sport of angling such an outstanding fishing venue.

Visitors can get a good understanding of the life cycle of these fish by visiting the many hatcheries in Idaho. The fish hatcheries provide the opportunity to witness the egg to adult succession in the life of a fish. These facilities operate to replenish the volume of quality fish required to maintain the level of fishing excitement. When you visit Idaho, be sure to include one of the state’s fish hatcheries in your itinerary. Whether an angler or not, the experience will help you understand this popular recreation.

Don’t forget to bring cameras to record your viewing excursions for the fish of Idaho!

Here is a list of some of the locations where you can observe the fish of Idaho:

American Falls State Hatchery
This hatchery raises rainbow and cutthroat trout for stocking in southeastern and northern Idaho. The hatchery, open daily from 7:30am until 4pm, is located downstream from the American Falls Dam. Go southwest from Pocatello, Idaho on Interstate Route 86 to the town of American Falls, then west on State Route 39 to the dam. Follow the signs to the hatchery. See the life-cycle of the trout from eggs in the incubation building to 25-inch lunkers in the raceways. There is a large fish viewing and feeding pond. A nearby 2-mile nature trail is perfect for bird watchers. Information: (208) 226-2015

Ashton State Fish Hatchery
Operated by Idaho Fish and Game Department, this facility produces over 165,000 rainbow trout for stocking in the Upper Snake region and nearly 400,000 fish of Idaho for statewide use, including rainbows, brook trout, brown trout, golden trout, grayling, and others Visitors can see and feed fish up to ten pounds in the viewing pond. Located one mile south of Ashton, Idaho off U.S. Route 20, then west for one mile on the county road with hatchery sign. Open Monday through Friday, 7:30am until 4:00pm. Information: (208) 652-3579

Cabinet Gorge Fish Hatchery
Located off State Route 200 on Cabinet Gorge Road about 8 miles southeast of Clark Fork, Idaho, this hatchery raises a variety of the fish of Idaho. Operated by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, this facility raises 16 million Kokanee salmon annually for release into Lake Pend Oreille each June. The hatchery is empty of fish from July to October for maintenance. They also raise westslope cutthroat trout, fall chinook salmon and rainbow trout. Open daily 8am to 4pm. Information: (208) 266-1431

Clear Springs Foods, Inc.
If you have dined on rainbow trout at a restaurant or bought at the local supermarket, it was probably “farmed” in Idaho. The world’s largest trout farm is Clear Springs, where 20 million pounds of rainbow trout is raised each year. In the company's public viewing area, one can see prehistoric sturgeon and various species of trout. Open daily from dawn to dusk, Clear Springs is located west of Twin Falls, Idaho near the town of Buhl. From Buhl, go north on Clear Lakes Rd, take first left after crossing the Snake River. Watch for the Visitor Center sign 1/4 mile on left. Information: (208) 543-4316

Dworshak National Fish Hatchery
Operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this hatchery is located where the North Fork and main Clearwater Rivers meet. This facility produces some of the big fish of Idaho, including 2.5 million steelhead trout and up to one million spring chinook salmon annually. A self-guided tour is available seven days a week during daylight hours. Guided tours are from Memorial Day to Labor Day on Saturdays at 10am and 2 pm. Spawning of spring Chinook salmon can be viewed on Tuesdays from late August to September. Spawning of Steelhead can be viewed on Tuesdays from February to May. Call for exact dates and times. The hatchery is open daily, all year. Go 43 miles east of Lewiston, Idaho via U.S. Route 12, near the town of Orofino. At Orofino, cross bridge, turn left and continue on State Route 7 for 3 miles, turn left then right into visitor parking lot. Information: (208) 476-4591

Grace Fish Hatchery
Built in 1946, this hatchery raises several species of trout for stocking in rivers and lakes throughout southeastern Idaho. The facility includes 26 raceways, an incubation building, public restrooms, a shaded picnic area, and access to fishing on Whisky Creek, stocked throughout the fishing season with rainbow trout. A great spot to view the fish of Idaho. Open 7am to 7pm daily, year around. Located 7 miles south of Grace, Idaho off State Route 34. Information: (208) 427-6364

Hagerman State Fish Hatchery
Producing 5 million rainbow trout annually, this fish hatchery offers a unique experience. During feeding time the raceways churn into a frenzy of silvery mass. Located in the middle of a waterfowl management area, the hatchery also provides for fish, bird and wildlife observation. A show pond has large fish for viewing. Fishing is permitted on the management area - check regulations or call for season information. Located off U.S. Route 30, on State Hatchery Road, south of Hagerman, Idaho. Information: (208) 837-4892

Mackay State Fish Hatchery
Mackay State Fish Hatchery opened in 1925, making it one of the state's oldest hatcheries. The hatchery turns out 3 million rainbow and cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon and artic grayling annually, using water from artesian springs. The fish of Idaho are distributed statewide. A diversion pond below the hatchery is popular for fishing. Located 12 miles north of Mackay, Idaho off U.S. Route 93 on Fish Hatchery Road. Open daily, 8am ‘til 4:30pm. Information: (208) 588-2219

Watching Feeding Trout
For the most part, trout eat insects that come about and live in the water (waterborne insects) and those that live on land but fall into the water (terrestrial insects). As an avid fly fisherman (one who fishes with artificial replicas of those insects), I get a big kick out of watching trout feed on the naturals. That’s something you can do, too. Sit by a stream and look for trout feeding. In flat water areas, look for a dimple on the surface as a trout slurps in a floating insect.

If you are lucky, you may witness a hatch, that point in time when an abundance of insects reach maturity, come to the surface in great numbers and fly off the stream in “clouds”. At these times, the trout can be seen in an eating frenzy as they strive to “gobble up” as many of these new adult insects as they can. The trout can be seen coming out of the water, as they take in an insect. These are special times for the fly fisherman, as well as the casual observer.

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