Take Me Fishing: Video Stories

You can watch these stories using Windows Media Player. Click here to download a free player. The stories are .wmv files and can be played at HI resolution or LO resolution depending on the speed of your internet connection.

A six-year olds cry, "I got a fish!" pierces the air and everyone jumps into action. The thrill of that one moment stays alive for days, sometimes even years for both parent and youngster.

Moments like these are the heart of Fish and Game's "Take Me Fishing" stories. No matter what kind of fish or how big or small it is, kids get excited when they feel a bite on the end of the line. These stories capture Idaho families making memories as they pursue all kinds of fish in every part of the state.

Some of the waters featured are designated as Family Fishing Waters. Others are more for the experienced angler. Either way, as you watch "Take Me Fishing" stories, you'll learn tips from parents on how to introduce kids to fishing and keep them interested, even when the fishing's slow.

Two brothers display their catch.

Jessica Macumber is all smiles with her first steelhead.

Roman Nose Lake
- HI-Res - LO-Res
Twenty-five fish a day is the fishing limit on Roman Nose Lake. It's one of a handful of mountain lakes in North Idaho you can drive to. If you want to explore, you can also hike to Upper or lower Roman Nose Lakes to go fishing. Earl and Beverly Chapin share their passion for brook trout and mountain lakes with a couple and their three children.

Species to fish for: eastern brook trout

Twin Lakes
- LO-Res
Twin Lakes near Coeur d'Alene is two lakes connected by a narrow thoroughfare. These two waters provide different kinds of fishing. In this story, two fishing friends spend a lazy summer day boating and fishing for crappie.

Species to fish for: perch | bass | crappie | rainbow trout

Deer Creek Reservoir
- HI-Res - LO-Res
In 2004 Deer Creek Reservoir, the first major fishing area built in 40 years, opened for business. It's stocked with trout and provides fishing opportunities for kids, families and avid anglers.

Species to fish for: rainbow trout | westslope cutthroat

Lochsa River
- LO-Res
The Lochsa River is known for excellent trout fishing on an easily accessible river. It draws avid anglers and novices. Zack Funkhouser introduces one of his fly fishing students to fishing the Lochsa for westslope cutthroat.

Species to fish for: westslope cutthroat | bull trout | chinook salmon

Salmon River
In the fall, steelhead are moving up the Salmon River and the fishermen are not far behind. Three generations of the Gonzalez family make their annual trek to fish for steelhead along the banks of the Salmon River near the town of Salmon.

Species to fish for: steelhead | mountain white fish | trout

Kids Creek
- LO-Res
A small fishing pond in Salmon is rich with fishing opportunities. It is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and in the spring, sometimes kids can hook into a hatchery steelhead. Benjamin and Brandon Fahnholz are talented anglers and an afternoon at the local pond is still a lot of fun.

Species to fish for: trout | shiners

South Fork Salmon
- HI-Res - LO-Res
Salmon fishing isn't just for adults. The South Fork Salmon River is a family friendly spot for kids to try their skills fishing for Idaho's legendary chinook salmon.

Species to fish for: spring chinook salmon | westslope cutthroat

Tripod Reservoir
- LO-Res
Tripod Reservoir is a small mountain lake near Smith's Ferry and is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. A young family heads here for a day of fishing. They aren't big fishermen but their two girls have a blast fishing and the parents enjoy recording the memories on film.

Species to fish for: rainbow trout

South Fork of the Snake
- LO-Res
South Fork of the Snake is a place for passionate trout anglers. One father believes kids are never too young to learn about fishing and Yellowstone Cutthroat, as long as the day belongs to them.

Species to fish for: Yellowstone cutthroat | brown trout | rainbow trout

Horseshoe Bend Pond
- HI-Res - LO-Res
Horseshoe Bend Pond is one of more than seventy waters designated as Family Fishing Waters in the Idaho. These waters have been established to make it easier for families to go and enjoy fishing. The rules are simple and there are lots of fish to catch.

Species to fish for: bass | bluegill

Niagara Springs Hatchery
- LO-Res
The settling ponds at Idaho Power's Niagara Springs Hatchery provide a unique fishing opportunity for kids and adults with physical challenges. One group from the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind have a blast fishing for steelhead and learning about this amazing anadromous trout.

Species to fish for: steelhead

Snake River
- LO-Res
The Snake River is chock full of warm water fishing opportunities. At Centennial Park near Twin Falls, the Schneidermann boys go fishing for their favorite fish - bass.

Species to fish for: bass | catfish | carp | sturgeon

Dierkes Lake
- LO-Res
Tucked away above Shoshone Falls is a small lake where thousands of kids have caught their first bass, trout or bluegill. It's one of a few fishing spots that is resistant to southern Idaho's cyclical droughts. Three generations of the Villasenior family share a family tradition as they fish the shoreline for trout and bluegill.

Species to fish for: trout | bluegill | bass

Twin Lakes
- HI-Res - LO-Res
Twin Lakes near Preston provides a strong fishery even in times of drought in southeastern Idaho. For father's day three generations of the Clements family gather at Twin Lakes to go fishing for bluegill. They relive 30-year-old memories and make new ones with a new generation.

Species to fish for: bluegill | bass