Both Hawkins and Daniels Reservoirs are offering good results because of chironomid activity and responding trout. Find the taking depth and you will be in for good fishing. When there are several rises around same time, that tips off that you should begin by placing that midge pupa pattern just under a strike indicator.
As suggested in the last fishing report, here is IDF&G’s target Southeast Idaho District fish stocking plan. Most of the plan is for stocking still waters, but some streams are also targeted. Currently Daniels Reservoir offers the best fishing in the District thanks to the active chironomid population. The Dairy Creek road is open and the reservoir has near capacity pool. Hawkins Reservoir also offers good fishing, but is more crowded than Daniels. No word yet on how fishing at Chesterfield Reservoir is doing.
Fish Stocking Forecasts | Idaho Fish and Game
| Body of Water | Week To Be Stocked | Number To Be Stocked |
| Bear River Below Oneida Dam | Apr 29-May 3 | 1500 |
| Crystal Springs Pond | Apr 29-May 3 | 375 |
| Deep Creek Reservoir | Apr 29-May 3 | 3990 |
| East Fork Rock Creek | Apr 29-May 3 | 500 |
| Hawkins Reservoir | Apr 29-May 3 | 840 |
| Trout Creek | Apr 29-May 3 | 2000 |
| Bannock Reservoir | May 6-10 | 500 |
| Devils Creek Reservoir | May 6-10 | 2160 |
| Edson Fichter Pond | May 6-10 | 625 |
| Montpelier Reservoir | May 6-10 | 3500 |
| Portneuf River | May 6-10 | 330 |
| Upper Pleasantview Reservoir | May 6-10 | 1500 |
| Dingle Gravel Pond | May 13-17 | 500 |
| Kelly Park Pond | May 13-17 | 250 |
| McTucker Pond | May 13-17 | 750 |
| Rose Pond | May 13-17 | 1000 |
| Weston Creek Reservoir | May 13-17 | 1500 |
| Bannock Reservoir | May 20-24 | 500 |
| Bear River Below Oneida Dam | May 20-24 | 1500 |
| Blackfoot River | May 20-24 | 1000 |
| Crowthers Reservoir | May 20-24 | 1100 |
| Crystal Springs Pond | May 20-24 | 375 |
| Cub River | May 20-24 | 500 |
| Dingle Gravel Pond | May 20-24 | 500 |
| Edson Fichter Pond | May 20-24 | 625 |
| Kelly Park Pond | May 20-24 | 250 |
| Little Valley Reservoir | May 20-24 | 1000 |
| Mill Creek | May 20-24 | 250 |
| Montpelier Rearing Pond | May 20-24 | 250 |
| Portneuf River | May 20-24 | 330 |
| Bloomington Creek | May 27-31 | 200 |
| Cherry Creek | May 27-31 | 100 |
| Montpelier Rearing Pond | May 27-31 | 250 |
| Paris Creek | May 27-31 | 250 |
| Pebble Creek | May 27-31 | 500 |
| Snake River | May 27-31 | 4000 |
| Snake River | May 27-31 | 1000 |
| Topance Creek | May 27-31 | 750 |
May is the time of year the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDF&G) begins their widespread stocking program. Roads are shaping up to the point that they can access many relatively remote still waters, and this action helps answer public demand for fishing which climbs with improving weather. The IDF&G stocking program seems to focus mainly on still waters, but certain streams receive a share. Rainbow trout are the usual salmonid stocked in the Upper Snake Region. The table below, taken from recent IDF&G stocking records, shows the where and when target these rainbow trout will be placed in the Upper Snake River Region.
| Body of Water | Week To Be Stocked | Number To Be Stocked |
| Birch Creek | Apr 29-May 3 | 2375 |
| Mackay Reservoir | Apr 29-May 3 | 2100 |
| Rexburg City Ponds | Apr 29-May 3 | 600 |
| Ryder Park Pond | Apr 29-May 3 | 750 |
| Ryder Park Riverside Pond | Apr 29-May 3 | 750 |
| Snake River | Apr 29-May 3 | 1200 |
| Teton River | Apr 29-May 3 | 1000 |
| Buffalo River | May 6-10 | 1000 |
| East Harriman Fish Pond | May 6-10 | 1500 |
| East Harriman Fish Pond | May 6-10 | 1500 |
| Henrys Fork | May 6-10 | 2500 |
| Ririe Reservoir | May 6-10 | 6700 |
| Trail Creek Pond | May 6-10 | 400 |
| Warm River | May 6-10 | 450 |
| Henrys Fork | May 13-17 | 2500 |
| Island Park Reservoir | May 13-17 | 9600 |
| Ryder Park Pond | May 13-17 | 750 |
| Ryder Park Riverside Pond | May 13-17 | 750 |
| Birch Creek | May 20-24 | 2375 |
| Blue Creek Reservoir | May 20-24 | 2000 |
| Henrys Fork River | May 20-24 | 2500 |
| Mackay Reservoir | May 20-24 | 2100 |
| Sand Creek WMA Pond #1 | May 20-24 | 3500 |
| Sand Creek WMA Pond #4 | May 20-24 | 2700 |
| Willow Creek | May 20-24 | 500 |
| Henrys Fork | May 27-31 | 2500 |
| Horseshoe Lake | May 27-31 | 2000 |
| Jim Moore Pond | May 27-31 | 1800 |
| Snake River | May 27-31 | 1200 |
| Snow Creek Pond | May 27-31 | 800 |
| Warm River | May 27-31 | 450 |
In our next fishing report, we will pass on the same stocking information for IDF&G’s Southeast Idaho Region.
Hawkins Reservoir has turned over and fishing is sure to improve. It looks like ice has not yet left Chesterfield Reservoir. Daniels Reservoir should be turning over any time now, but the road from Hawkins Reservoir is likely not open. For now the trip from Malad is the best way to reach it. Springfield Reservoir has been fishing in a spotty manner. Midge pupa patterns under an indicator seem to work best. but finding the taking depth is needed. Small black leeches also work. Consider placing them under an indicator then use an ultra slow retrieve. Ice should be leaving Hebgen Lake any day now.
Springfield Reservoir is fishing well if you offer midge pupa under an indicator. First find the taking depth. Also small leech patterns work when presented on an intermediate line. The reservoir was stocked last month with hatchery catchables ranging from 14 to 18 inches. Each would longer if their tails had not been eroded from concrete living and crowding, but they make for fun in the late days of this fishing season.
Henry’s Lake is frozen as of today 11/9/18. The ice is not thick enough to ice fish and most likely wont be for a few more days depending on air temps and wind. There is always a chance a big wind storm may open the lake back up, but its probably best to plan to hit stillwaters to the south for the year.
Water temp on the lake is now in the mid 30’s. If the forecast holds, all its going to take is a couple of calm nights to freeze over. Planning a trip up there is going to be a real gamble at this point. If you do get up to the lake and it is still open, fish your flies VERY slowly in all the areas mentioned in prior reports. For now though, its time to tie flies and get ready for the opener. If you didn’t fish Henry’s this year because of reports of slow fishing you really missed out, there were a lot of really big hybrids landed and many folks caught their personal bests. Here’s to hoping for a good winter with plenty of snow and a good 2019 season on Henry’s!
Fishing at Henry’s is winding down for the season. If the forecast hold true, you could see people ice fishing the lake very soon. There is always a chance we get another warm spell, but its not looking likely. Its been an up and down fall on the lake and as the weather continues to get colder, the good fishing is going to be tougher and tougher to come by. For the next week or so I’d concentrate on fishing during the warmest part of the day and fishing areas with some warmer water pumping in like Staley Springs, Wild Rose, the Hatchery, Hope Creek, etc… The State park continues to fish well for numbers of cutthroats, although hardly any bigger hybrids have been landed in this area. Continue to fish the standard henry’s fare (darker leech patterns size 4-8) and experiment with your retrieve speed. When the water temps reach the low forties and mid to upper thirties, it doesn’t seem to be as critical to be near the bottom. This is one time of year where you could just take up an intermediate line and fish it effectively from 3-12ft of water. We will try to have updated water conditions as it gets closer to icing up, so be sure to check with us before you make the drive.
Now that we are cooling off some of our still waters are coming round with more action. Chesterfield Reservoir is one of these with large fish being encountered through presenting midge pupa patterns under an indicator. All that needs to be done is to is find the taking depth. Leech patterns presented in shallower water are also working. 16000 hatchery raised ‘bows have been added there. Use same technique for Daniels Reservoir, especially its north end. Action at Sand Creek Pond #4 is also picking up through using the same patterns and streamers. Springfield Reservoir has been stocked with 1000 hatchery catchables which will be active after adjusting to new environment.
Looks like you can find the best still water fishing around at Daniels Reservoir. The upper end is the best location there, and midge pupa under an indicator in relatively shallow water and small leech patterns are producing. Do not overlook presenting leech patterns back towards shore when wind strong enough to muddy the water (see above pic) arrives. We have no reports on how Sand Creek Ponds are fishing. No news is not good news in this case.