While you might be forgiven for not realizing it, the area of southeast Idaho around Rigby, ID is world-renowned for its fishing. Even if fishing isn’t one of your favorite pastimes, or if you never picked up a rod before, you’ll still enjoy the beautiful natural scenery around you at these excellent fishing spots; and who knows? You might just get lucky and catch supper, although do check whether fish from the water body you’re fishing on are safe to eat.
1. Snake River
The famed Snake River and its various branches are renowned for their fishing potential, with a multitude of opportunities to hunt for trophy bass, trout, and even the occasional carp. The section of the river immediately south of Rigby, between Idaho Falls and Blackfoot, is especially productive when it comes to fishing for brown trout. The fall is the best time to go after this species when the large fish in this region begin to spawn.
Fishing in this section is best with drift and jet boats, and streamers and nymphs are often used to catch the trout, which can often achieve trophy sizes. If you’re going after other species, then head on a little further downstream to the section between Blackfoot and American Falls Reservoir, where, apart from the prolific species of trout such as cutthroat and rainbow, you can expect to catch bass and sturgeon.
2. Ririe Reservoir
Located to the southeast of Rigby, Ririe Reservoir is an especially good place to fish if you have access to a boat or canoe, as the choice of bank areas is quite limited. However, you might be able to find a much-coveted dock to drop your hook from. The center of the reservoir is significantly deeper, and many species of fish lurk in the depths.
Species found here include rainbow trout, which are easily caught from either the bank or the shore, often with nightcrawlers or canned corn. Kokanee salmon can be found here too and will often school approximately 20 feet from the bottom in open water, where they are readily caught by trolling a line from a boat.
3. Rigby (Jefferson County) Lake
Situated on the northern edge of town, this small pond will be well known to Rigby residents. The lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout, which are often caught from the open shoreline. Again, a boat of some description will serve you well here, but there’s ample fishing space to be found from the shore.
The lake is stocked in June every year, making this the time to go for an easy catch, whereas later in the year will produce bigger fish and the occasional large holdover from the year before.
This list includes some of our favorite places to fish, but there’s plenty more out there. Snake River in particular has plenty of places to try. Need a new vehicle to carry all your fishing gear, and hopefully your catch? Then visit us today at Tadd Jenkins Chevrolet, and we’ll be more than happy to help.
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