Top Waters in Southeast Region
Bear Lake
LakeThe 'Caribbean of the Rockies' - 69,446-acre turquoise lake on Idaho-Utah border. Home to four fish species found NOWHERE else in the world. The Bonneville Cutthroat have made a huge comeback and grow to 10+ lbs. Also lake trout and the unique Bonneville Cisco dip-net fishery in winter.
Edson Fichter Pond
Pond3-acre community pond in Pocatello heavily stocked with rainbow trout including trophies and even yellow 'banana' trout for fun. Hundreds of 6 lb average trout stocked. Fishing docks and trails. Lunkers possible.
Alexander Reservoir
ReservoirA scenic 1,011-acre fishing reservoir with good boat access next to Soda Springs. Both smallmouth bass and perch fishing have improved in recent years. The reservoir also offers decent catfish and trout fishing with regular stocking.
American Falls Reservoir
ReservoirA massive 55,290-acre reservoir on the Snake River spanning three counties. Excellent for largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and brown trout. Regular rainbow trout stocking provides great put-and-take fishing. Note: Special bass rules apply - limit is 2, any size.
Deep Creek Reservoir
ReservoirA 162-acre reservoir near Malad with excellent trout fishing and an established largemouth bass population. Motor restrictions keep it peaceful. Regular rainbow trout stocking makes for consistent action. Per Deep Creek Canal Company rules, no watercraft are allowed.
Kelly Park Pond
LakeA tiny 0.9-acre pond in the Bear River drainage, heavily stocked with rainbow trout from May through August. Perfect for a quick fishing trip with consistent stocking every few weeks during the season.
Pebble Creek
RiverA scenic 9.7-mile tributary of the Portneuf River in southeastern Idaho. Regularly stocked with rainbow trout. Features camping, toilets, and ADA access. Good for Yellowstone cutthroat and rainbow trout in a mountain stream setting.
Portneuf River
RiverA 117-mile river tributary of the Snake River in southeastern Idaho. Excellent brown trout, cutthroat, and rainbow fishing. Regularly stocked throughout the year. Features camping, toilets, and ADA access at multiple locations.
All 9 Waters in Southeast Region
Unique Waters: Fishing Idaho's Southeast Highlands
Bear Lake: The Caribbean of the Rockies
Bear Lake is famous for its intense turquoise blue color and its four endemic fish species found nowhere else on earth, including the Bonneville cisco and Bonneville whitefish. It's a massive, deep fishery where Bonneville cutthroat trout grow to trophy sizes and lake trout lurk in the depths, providing a unique high-altitude angling experience.
Blackfoot & American Falls
The high-desert reservoirs of the Southeast, like Blackfoot and American Falls, are known for producing heavy-shouldered rainbow and cutthroat trout. These productive waters support large populations of fish that grow quickly on a diet of abundant forage, making them favorites for both trollers and bank anglers seeking quality over quantity.
The Bear River Drainage
The Bear River and its tributaries provide important habitat for the native Bonneville cutthroat trout. Conservation efforts have significantly improved these fisheries, offering anglers the chance to target native fish in a variety of settings from meandering valley floors to rugged mountain canyons.
Regional Highlights
- Bear Lake
- Blackfoot Reservoir
- Bear River
- Bonneville Cutthroat
Southeast Region general daily limits
These are regional general daily limits only. Water-specific Special Rule Waters are not displayed on this page; check the official IDFG source below (pages 37-39) for exceptions and the rule for your exact water. IDFG states possession is three times the applicable daily bag limit.
- Bass limit is 6, both species combined
- None under 14 inches
- Brook Trout limit is 25
- Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules – if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for Brook Trout
- Cisco limit is 30
- Kokanee limit is 6
- Sturgeon – catch-and-release
- Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be released upon landing
- Barbless hooks, sliding swivel device to secure a weight, and a lighter test line to secure weight to sliding swivel device are required, see page 56
- Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches
- Trout limit is 6, all species combined
- In rivers and streams, only 2 of the 6 trout may be Cutthroat Trout
- Whitefish limit is 25
- Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules – if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for whitefish
- May not be harvested or possessed
- No bag, length or possession limits
Source: IDFG 2025–2027 Fishing Seasons & Rules. Pages 37-39.