Skip to main content
idfg-badge

Idaho Fish and Game

Family Fishing Waters - Southwest Region South

Water Description Directions Fish Facilities
1. Weiser Community Pond Located in Weiser. From State Highway 95. travel north to the city of Weiser. Cross the Weiser River then turn west on E. Commercial Street. Travel three blocks then turn south on E. 4th Street. Travel one block to the Weiser Community Pond parking area.

Rainbow trout, bluegill, and largemouth bass.

2 trout limit.
 

Fishing dock Restrooms
2. Payette Greenbelt Pond Former gravel pit along the Payette River is now an easily accessed fishing pond with a disabled access platform. Anglers can bike to this pond on the Payette Greenbelt. To drive, access the greenbelt from River Road on west side of Payette. Park and walk downstream about 100 yards. Rainbow trout, bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass.

You can't keep bass under 12" in length.
Fishing dock accessible for disabled persons
3. Emmett Area Airport Pond: A small pond with a mix of open shoreline and cattails. Best fishing is with small boats and float tubes.

Ed's Pond: On the edge of Gem Island Park along the Payette River. Young anglers will enjoy fishing for bluegill and exploring nature.
Airport Pond: From the junction of State Highways 52 and16 (Emmett), travel 1.6 miles west on Hwy 52. At Airport Road turn south and go 5/10 of a mile to the pond turnoff (just before the golf course). Turn west and go 1/10 mile to pond.

Ed's Pond: From the junction of State Highways 52 and16 (Emmett), travel 1.4 miles north on Hwy 52 (Washington Street) through Emmett. Just before crossing the Payette River, turn west on Carson Street and go 2/10 of a mile to Boise Avenue. Turn north on Boise Avenue, bear left, and cross the bridge into Gem Island Park. Follow either road to the lower end of the park and Ed's Pond.
Airport Pond: crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass.

You can't keep bass under 12" in length.

Ed's Pond: rainbow trout, bluegill.
Airport Pond:
NO facilities.

Ed's Pond:
Fishing dock
Other facilities in park.
4. Caldwell City Ponds 1 and 2 2 spots kids can enjoy fishing from the shore with a little shade from nearby trees. From Interstate 84, take Exit 26 (Notus/Parma). Turn west on US Highway 20/26 and travel 9/10 of a mile to Pond Lane. Go south on Pond Lane to the parking area. Caldwell Ponds 1 and 2 are next to one another. Crappie, bluegill, rainbow trout, channel catfish, bullhead catfish, largemouth bass.

You can't keep bass under 12" in length.
Fishing dock accessible for disabled persons Restrooms
5. Rotary Pond A park-like setting with plenty of trees to offer shade in the summer. Lots of bank fishing offers young anglers a safe place to fish for bluegills. From Interstate 84 take Exit 27 (Greenleaf/Wilder). Turn south on Centennial Way. Travel 4/10 of a mile to Chicago Street and turn west. Go 2/10 of a mile to Rotary Pond. Crappie, rainbow trout, bluegill, channel catfish, bullhead catfish, largemouth bass.

You can't keep bass under 12" in length.
Fishing dock
Other facilities in park.
6. Marsing Pond Offers fishing in a park like setting along the Snake River. Marsing Pond is on the eastern edge of Marsing on State Highway 55. Bluegill, channel catfish, rainbow trout, largemouth bass.

You can't keep bass under 12" in length.
Fishing dock RestroomsPicnic area
7. Wilson Springs Ponds Offers a rich natural environment that is very accessible. Paved pathways provide wheelchair access to several fishing areas, while unimproved trails let kids fish from the shore and explore nature. From Interstate 84, take Exit 38. Travel south on Garrity to the first stoplight. Turn left onto Flamingo and travel 2/10 of a mile. The road turns south and becomes Happy Valley Road. Travel nearly 4 miles to Greenhurst. Turn west on Greenhurst and travel 2 miles to South Powerline Road. Turn south and travel 7/10 of a mile to the Wilson Ponds parking area. Rainbow trout, bluegill, largemouth bass.

Catch and release only, no bait allowed, only barbless hooks for the Trophy pond.

North and South ponds - 2 trout limit.
Fishing dock accessible for disabled persons Restrooms accessible for disabled persons
Water Description Directions Fish Facilities
8. Bull Trout Lake A serene mountain lake nestled in the pines above Banner Summit. While anglers can easily fish from the shore, the lake is ideal for canoes, kick boats and float tubes. Travel north from Lowman on State Highway 21, past Grandjean and over Banner Summit. Look for the Bull Trout Lake turnoff a few miles past the summit. The lake is about 1 mile off Hwy 21. Rainbow trout. No Facilities Available. Note: USFS campground and facilities next to lake.
USFS regulations do not allow boats with motors on this lake.
9. Lowman Ponds Offers kids a safe place to go fishing along the South Fork of the Payette River. Travel north on State Highway 21 from Lowman. After mile marker 85 turn right and cross the South Fork of the Payette River to the Lowman Ponds. Rainbow trout. Restrooms accessible for disabled persons
10. Idaho City Pond A very small pond next to historic Idaho City. Fishing is best in spring and fall. Travel north on State Highway 21 from Boise to Idaho City. The pond is next to the Visitor Center at the corner of Hwy 21 and Main St. Rainbow trout. Restrooms Picnic area
11. Black's Creek Reservoir A good bluegill and perch fishery close to Boise. Great winter spot to take kids ice fishing for perch. Take Interstate 84 east from Boise to Exit 64. Turn west on Black's Creek Road and drive approximately 3.5 miles to Black's Creek Reservoir. Perch, bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass.

You can't keep bass under 12" in length.
No Facilities Available
12. Boise Area
You can't keep bass in Boise area waters under 12" in length. 
The Boise River and numerous urban ponds are great fishing spots for families. They are regularly stocked with rainbow trout in the spring and fall, and many have warmwater fish such as bass and bluegill. Boise River: Rich with good fishing and easy access from the East Boise footbridge downstream to the Snake River.

Settlers Park Pond: An easy to access fishing pond in a park setting with park facilities nearby. Located at the northwest corner of Meridian and Ustick roads.

McDevitt Pond: Provides fishing in a park like setting. Located on the corner of Eagle and McMillan Roads in Meridian.

Merrill Pond: An attractive, well stocked pond in Eagle next to the Greenbelt and Merrill City Park. On Eagle Road just north of the Boise River turn east on Riverside Street, then right on Shore Drive.

Riverside Pond: Tucked in the trees off Glenwood Road and offers good bank fishing. Located on the corner of Glenwood Road and Riverside Drive.

Veteran's Park Pond: Along the Greenbelt and a short walk from a playground and park facilities. This pond sits at the back of Veteran's Park on the corner of Veteran's Parkway and State Street in Boise.

Quinn's Pond: Off the beaten path and popular for fishing, swimming and non-motorized watercraft. To get there go west on Main St. Turn north on 29th St. and go 3/10 of a mile and turn west on Pleasanton. Go to 31st Street and park on the left. Follow the Greenbelt to Quinn's Pond.

Park Center Pond: A popular fishing pond easily accessed from Park Center Boulevard just east of the Park Center Bridge.
Boise River Fish: rainbow trout, brown trout.

Settlers Park Pond Fish: rainbow trout, bluegill, largemouth bass.

McDevitt Pond Fish: rainbow trout, bluegill.
2 trout limit.

Merrill Pond Fish: rainbow trout, bluegill, largemouth bass.

Riverside Pond Fish: rainbow trout, bluegill, largemouth bass.

Veteran's Park Pond Fish: rainbow trout, bluegill, largemouth bass.

Quinn's Pond Fish: rainbow trout, bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish.

Park Center Pond Fish: rainbow trout, bluegill, largemouth bass, bullhead catfish, channel catfish.
2 trout limit.
No Facilities Available. Except:  Quinn's Pond:
Fishing dock

Park Center Pond:
Restrooms accessible for disabled persons Fishing dock accessible for disabled persons
13. Horseshoe Bend Mill Pond Easy access to a pleasant and productive fishing spot. From Horseshoe Bend, travel 1.5 miles north on highway 55. Watch for the Sportsman's Access sign and the turnoff to the pond just north of mile marker 65. Turn right onto Rocky Road and travel down the hill to Mill Pond. Rainbow trout, bluegill, largemouth bass. Boat rampFishing dock RestroomsPicnic area
Blue symbols show facilities accessible to disabled persons. Blue symbols show facilities accessible to disabled persons
 
Last Updated: April 27, 2015 
Top of page