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From urban trout water to trophy bass lakes—discover the best fishing within an hour of downtown Boise.
Our favorite waters for trout, bass, and more.
Fish right in the city! The Boise River through town holds rainbow and brown trout year-round. Great access from Barber Park to the Greenbelt.
Large reservoir with excellent rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, and smallmouth bass. Popular for trolling and shore fishing.
Blue-ribbon trout water below Anderson Ranch Dam. Technical fly fishing for large rainbows and browns.
Fish right in the city! The Boise River through town holds rainbow and brown trout year-round. Great access from Barber Park to the Greenbelt.
Large reservoir with excellent rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, and smallmouth bass. Popular for trolling and shore fishing.
Scenic reservoir up the Middle Fork. Less crowded than Lucky Peak with good trout and kokanee fishing.
Blue-ribbon trout water below Anderson Ranch Dam. Technical fly fishing for large rainbows and browns.
Warm-water fishery on the Snake River. Excellent for bass, crappie, and catfish.
Stocked fishing ponds great for families and beginners. Regular trout plants from IDFG.
Snake River reservoir with Idaho's best smallmouth bass and excellent crappie fishing.
Urban ponds in Boise stocked with trout. Perfect for kids and quick after-work sessions.
| Species | Best Spots | Techniques |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | South Fork Boise, Boise River | Fly fishing, spinners, bait |
| Brown Trout | South Fork Boise, Boise River | Streamers, nymphs early/late day |
| Kokanee Salmon | Lucky Peak, Arrowrock | Trolling with wedding ring/kokanee lures |
| Smallmouth Bass | Lucky Peak, Brownlee | Soft plastics, crankbaits, topwater |
| Largemouth Bass | C.J. Strike, Marsing Ponds | Texas rig, frogs, spinnerbaits |
| Crappie | C.J. Strike, Brownlee | Jigs, small minnows |
The best rainbow trout fishing near Boise includes the South Fork Boise River (blue-ribbon water), the urban Boise River through the Greenbelt, and Lucky Peak Reservoir. The South Fork offers the largest fish, while the urban Boise River is most accessible.
Yes! The Boise River through downtown is fishable year-round and holds rainbow and brown trout. Popular access points include Barber Park, Ann Morrison Park, and numerous Greenbelt access points. You'll need a valid Idaho fishing license.
Quinn Pond and Kleiner Pond in Boise are perfect for kids—they're regularly stocked with trout and have easy access. Marsing Ponds and the ponds at Eagle Island State Park are also family-friendly options with good shore access.
Yes! C.J. Strike Reservoir (55 min) has excellent largemouth bass, while Lucky Peak and Brownlee Reservoir offer great smallmouth bass fishing. Brownlee is considered one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the Northwest.