Idaho Examiner: Idaho Fish & Game & Jefferson County Team Up To Provide Fishing Fireworks For The 4th Of July "My Idaho...My Planet Rocks!"

RIGBY – What could be more American than taking the kids and grabbing the fishing poles and heading down to the local swimming hole to catch some fish while the fireworks explode overhead? Thanks to the joint efforts of Idaho Fish & Game and Jefferson County, this star spangled dream will be a reality for this Independence Day holiday. On July 2, about 5,500 catchable rainbow trout were stocked by IDFG in Jefferson County Lake in preparation for the upcoming three-day holiday weekend.

Jefferson County Lake, known to many as Rigby Lake, is actually a gravel pit that was created when fill was needed for the construction of state highway 20. The “lake” fills thanks to underground water that seeps in when the water is running through the irrigation canals. The Idaho Fish & Game has never stocked the lake before, but thanks to an excellent working relationship with the Jefferson County Commissioners, the Regional Fishery Manager Dan Garren was able to locate some catchable fish that could be planted this year. Because the lake is not natural and relies on irrigation water to fill, this fishery is intended to be purely put and take.

According to Regional Fish Biologist Brett High, “The conditions at the lake will make it perfect for kids to catch fish and thanks to the collaborative efforts between the Department and the County we were able to make things happen quickly.” Just this last week the Department supplied the materials to screen an outlet that spills water at high flows back into a nearby canal and County crews constructed and installed the fish screens.

The fish that were stocked came from Hagerman Hatchery and were available for this unscheduled stocking because late spring snows prevent hatchery trucks from reaching other sites that had been previously scheduled. While all the fish stocked were rainbow trout, there was an added bonus that 500 of the fish stocked were the fabled “Banana Trout.” “These trout are rainbows, but they have a genetic mutation that causes them to have a yellow color.” said High. Anglers shouldn’t worry, the banana trout may not taste like their namesake fruit, but they are okay to eat and actually a lot easier to see in the water.

According to High, “A lot the fish planted were of catchable size, mostly in the 10 “ range, but others were as large as 15” and even some of the banana trout reached the 18” mark.” The cool water that enters from below ground should allow the fish to survive through the heat of summer until they can be caught and the lack of natural foods is not a concern for fish whose planned destination is the dinner plate. “Fish can last a long time without eating.” said High.

Anglers heading to Jefferson County Lake are reminded that general fishing season regulations apply and that all appropriate licenses are required. Information about regulations and even purchasing fishing licenses can be done on the Idaho Fish & Game website at:

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov