Visit Idaho Falls

Idaho Falls is blessed with great fishing opportunities and a lot of them. From world class trout rivers, to family fishing locations, Idaho Falls gives residents and visitors easy access to rivers, lakes, and streams. In the city itself, you can drop a line in the Snake River along the greenbelt under the falls or the rock garden. Just remember to keep safety in mind. The Snake River is big and powerful.

If family fishing is on the agenda, Ryder Park in Idaho Falls features two ponds that are stocked all summer long. It’s a greaat plce to teach kids how to fish. The stocking program with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game means high catch rates. Kids will hook fish and be hooked on fishing in no time. Another kid friendly fishing location is the children’s fishing pond on the east side of the Snake River about a quarter mile below the Gem State Power Plant. The five-acre pond is open to children 14 and under, 8 and a half months of the year. The pond is closed from March 1 to June 15 to allow nesting for waterfowl in the area.

Other great locations inlcude Ririe Reservoir a few miles east of town and Palisades Reservoir about an hour away.

When it comes to fly fishing, Idaho Falls is the jumping off point for two world famous rivers: the Southfork of the Snake River and the Henry’s Fork. 

The South Fork of the Snake River flows for 66 miles across southeastern Idaho, through high mountain valleys, rugged canyons, and broad flood plains to its confluence with the Henrys Fork. The South Fork is known as a premier blue ribbon trout fishery. More than 300,000 anglers, campers, hikers, boaters and other recreationists use the South Fork each year. Much of the river flows through Bureau of Land Management Land with several access points.

The Henry’s Fork is a famous dry fly fishery loaded with bugs and many species of trout. The river flows through farm ranch land and timber covered canyons. The upper portion can be accessed through U.S. Forest Service land (Caribou Targhee National Forest). The lower section runs throug private property, but there are several boat launches and access points, just remember to be aware of, and respect, private property rights.

If a little more solitude is a priority, the areas around Idaho Falls are full of smaller streams that often get over looked because of the more famous rivers nearby. A little research at a local fly ship or the Forest Service can point you in the right direction. Happy Fishing!