This report highlights a few of the best places to fish, what anglers are using and what they are catching. The information is compiled from regional Fish and Game fishery managers, local tackle shops and anglers.

The weather continues to change ice condition daily, making ice fishing safety a real challenge in the Southeast Region.

American Falls Reservoir is filling fast and creating very difficult edge conditions. Chesterfield Reservoir is holding its ice much better. Perch are abundant and biting just about anything in Montpelier Reservoir. 

Anglers should make sure the ice is solid before venturing out.

Some days it’s so warm and nice that a few anglers have hit open water on the Bear, Portneuf and Snake River. The Bear River and the Snake River below American Falls Dam are much lower than they were several weeks ago, improving fishing conditions.

The Snake River below American Falls Dam and the Portneuf River above Lava Hot Springs are open during the winter for catch-and-release fishing. They reopen for harvest on Memorial Day weekend.

On October 28, Idaho Fish and Game opened a new three-acre community fishing pond at Edson Fichter Nature Area, located behind Indian Hills Elementary on Cheyenne Avenue in Pocatello.

The fishery was stocked with rainbow trout ranging in size from 10-inch catchables to lunkers weighing almost six pounds. About 200 of the yellow-phase banana trout – a public favorite – will also call the pond home. The daily limit is six fish. All anglers 14 years of age and older must have a valid Idaho fishing license.

Anglers can fish from docks and from an extensive open shore. In the spring, the site will be covered with new vegetation, and future phases will include the completion of a paved pathway around the pond as well as the addition of landscaping, pavilions, picnic benches, and other amenities.