Fishing in Bannock County, Idaho
County seat: Pocatello. Population 87,018.
- 6lake pages
- 2launch sites
- 6river pages
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The Bannock County water rundown
Pocatello is the seat of Bannock County, a county of 87,018 people at the 2020 Census. Region lines track watersheds, and 100% of the listed water here lands in the IDFG Southeast Region.
The county's 6 lake pages stretch over 57,755 acres, with American Falls Reservoir on top. Launching comes down to 2 launch sites, managed as 2 IDFG. IDFG also lists 4 walk-in access sites for fishing from the bank without a ramp.
Census 2020 population and county seat; IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner (list of Idaho waters), read November 7, 2026. IDFG Fishing and Boating Access Sites layer (ArcGIS service), read November 7, 2026.
IDFG, BLM and Forest Service sites of Bannock County mapped
IDFG Fishing and Boating Access Sites, BLM and Forest Service launch points, Fishing Planner lake points (outlet) and stream midpoints. Checked November 2026.
Paged reservoirs and lakes of Bannock County by Planner acres
| Lake | Acres | Launches | Kind | Game fish IDFG names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Falls Reservoir | 55,291 | 0 | reservoir | largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown trout |
| Oxford Slough | 2,325 | 0 | lake | |
| Swan Lake (Bannock County) | 62 | 0 | lake | |
| Hawkins Reservoir | 40 | 1 | reservoir | cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brook trout |
| Highway Pond | 32 | 0 | lake | |
| Bannock Reservoir | 6 | 0 | reservoir | kokanee, rainbow trout, bluegill and sunfish |
Surface acres as listed in the IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner, read November 7, 2026. Game fish are the Planner’s recommended species; IDFG prints no lake depths there.
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Around Pocatello, to 50 miles, rainbow trout appears on more lake guides than the rest.
IDFG Fishing Planner recommended game fish and stocking rows, counted per lake page within 50 miles; not a creel survey.
Further Bannock County lakes the Planner names
The Planner names 2 more lakes in Bannock County, shown with acres and kind.
| Water | Acres | Kind | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wiregrass Reservoir | 4 | reservoir | Malad City |
| Edson Fichter Pond | 3 | lake | Pocatello |
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner (list of Idaho waters), read November 7, 2026.
Streams to wade or float in Bannock County
- Portneuf RiverIDFG recommended water, 4 USGS gauges, 117.2 mi Planner length
- McTucker CreekIDFG recommended water, 3.6 mi Planner length
- Marsh Creek2 USGS gauges, 56 mi Planner length
- Ross Fork Snake River47.4 mi Planner length
- Spring Creek (Bannock County)1 USGS gauge, 15.7 mi Planner length
- Crane Creek (Bannock County)3 mi Planner length
Small Planner streams across Bannock County (165)
- Cottonwood Creek25.1 mi
- Rattlesnake Creek20 mi
- Garden Creek18.5 mi
- Hawkins Creek16.6 mi
- Dempsey Creek13 mi
- South Fork Ross Fork12.1 mi
- Swan Lake Slough10.7 mi
- Arimo Ditch10.3 mi
- Mink Creek10.3 mi
- Birch Creek10.2 mi
- Densmore Creek9.5 mi
- Fish Creek9.3 mi
- Michaud Creek9.3 mi
- Cherry Creek9.2 mi
- Clear Creek9.1 mi
- Farmer Creek8.8 mi
- Stockton Creek8.6 mi
- Aspen Creek8.3 mi
- Yago Creek8.1 mi
- Midnight Creek8 mi
- East Creek7.3 mi
- Swan Lake Creek7.3 mi
- Big Jimmy Creek7.2 mi
- North Fork Pocatello Creek7.1 mi
- Peck Creek7 mi
- South Fork Mink Creek7 mi
- Webb Creek7 mi
- Arkansas Creek6.9 mi
- Goodenough Creek6.9 mi
- Indian Creek6.9 mi
- Left Hand Fork Marsh Creek6.9 mi
- Shingle Creek6.7 mi
- Walker Creek6.7 mi
- Rapid Creek6.6 mi
- Bell Marsh Creek6.4 mi
- Mill Creek6.4 mi
- Indian Creek6.3 mi
- Thirty Day Creek6.3 mi
- Beach Hollow6.2 mi
- Two and a Half Mile Creek6.2 mi
- Gooseberry Creek6.1 mi
- Portneuf Marsh Valley Canal6.1 mi
- Yellow Dog Creek6 mi
- North Fork Rapid Creek5.9 mi
- Fox Hollow5.8 mi
- Harkness Creek5.8 mi
- West Fork Mink Creek5.8 mi
- North Canyon5.7 mi
- Robbers Roost Creek5.6 mi
- Smith Canyon5.6 mi
- West Fork Rapid Creek5.6 mi
- Pocatello Creek5.4 mi
- Potter Creek5.3 mi
- South Fork Hawkins Creek5.3 mi
- Jenkins Canyon5.2 mi
- Quinn Creek5.2 mi
- East Fork Mink Creek5.1 mi
- North Canyon5.1 mi
- Pilot Spring Creek5.1 mi
- East Bob Smith Creek5 mi
- Reese Creek5 mi
- Deadwood Creek4.9 mi
- Inman Creek4.8 mi
- Kinney Creek4.8 mi
- Buffalo Creek4.7 mi
- Chicken Creek4.7 mi
- City Creek4.7 mi
- Birch Creek4.6 mi
- Green Canyon4.6 mi
- Jackson Creek4.6 mi
- Little Pocatello Creek4.6 mi
- Rowley Creek4.6 mi
- Upper Rock Creek4.6 mi
- Brush Creek4.5 mi
- Dry Canyon4.5 mi
- Right Hand Fork Marsh Creek4.5 mi
- Blackrock Canyon4.4 mi
- Gibson Jack Creek4.4 mi
- Lost Creek4.4 mi
- McNabb Creek4.4 mi
Streamflow across Bannock County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Portneuf River Nr Tyhee Id | 224 cfs, 4.40 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:00 pm |
| Portneuf R. At Inkom, Id | 157 cfs, 20.84 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:45 pm |
| Portneuf River At Pocatello Id | 166 cfs, 4.03 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:45 pm |
| Portneuf River At Topaz Id | 96 cfs, 2.57 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:15 pm |
| Marsh Creek Nr Mccammon Id | 36 cfs, 2.57 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:15 pm |
| Marsh Creek At E Richards Rd Nr Virginia, Id | 3.33 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 8:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner (list of Idaho waters), read November 7, 2026. Stream lengths as printed in the Planner; USGS gauges live.
Fish trucked into Bannock County water since 2024
The Bannock County stocking log reads 684 releases and 3,592,742 fish, covering 4 waters.
- American Falls ReservoirRainbow Trout – Triploid, 73,947 fish, Fingerling (3-6 inches), October 30, 2026
- American Falls ReservoirRainbow Trout – Triploid, 73,962 fish, Fingerling (3-6 inches), October 29, 2026
- American Falls ReservoirRainbow Trout – Triploid, 73,640 fish, Fingerling (3-6 inches), October 28, 2026
- Portneuf RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 1,200 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), October 14, 2026
- Bannock ReservoirRainbow Trout – Triploid, 500 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), October 8, 2026
- Portneuf RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 1,806 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), September 15, 2026
- Bannock ReservoirRainbow Trout – Triploid, 500 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), September 15, 2026
- Bannock ReservoirRainbow Trout – Triploid, 500 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), September 8, 2026
- Portneuf RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 1,200 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), July 22, 2026
- Portneuf RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 1,300 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), July 15, 2026
- Portneuf RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 500 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), July 13, 2026
- Portneuf RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 1,300 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), July 10, 2026
Stocking rows as printed on the IDFG Fishing Planner water pages (date, species, number and size as listed), read November 7, 2026. Newest releases first.
Put-ins and bank sites of Bannock County
- Hawkins Reservoir boat rampHawkins Reservoir, IDFG, boating access, ramp, dock, restroom, camping
- Topaz Landinglaunch site, IDFG, fishing access
Walk-to-the-water IDFG sites in Bannock County (4)
- Crane Creek fishing accessfishing access
- Edson Fichter Nature Area fishing accessfishing access, dock, restroom
- Portneuf – Lower fishing accessfishing access, restroom, camping
- Portneuf – Upper fishing accessfishing access
IDFG Fishing and Boating Access Sites layer (ArcGIS service), read November 7, 2026. BLM and Forest Service points as published; lanes and ramp counts are not fields in any layer.
Keeping within the limits in Bannock County
Most Bannock County water falls under the IDFG Southeast Region table shown here; check each water page for its own region and any special rule. Under Idaho Code 36-416 a season of fishing costs $28.75 with Idaho residency and $106.25 without it, before vendor fees.
| Group | Rule as printed |
|---|---|
| Bass | Bass limit is 6, both species combined; None under 14 inches |
| Brook Trout | 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 | Cisco limit is 30 |
| Kokanee | Kokanee limit is 6 |
| Sturgeon | 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 fishing regulations for details |
| Tiger Muskie | Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches |
| Trout | Trout limit is 6, all species combined; In rivers and streams, only 2 of the 6 trout may be Cutthroat Trout; Brook Trout are listed separately |
| Whitefish | 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 |
| Protected Nongame Fish | May not be harvested or possessed (also known as Green Sucker) |
| All Other Fish Species | No bag, length or possession limit |
Bannock County waters with their own printed rules (4)
- American Falls ReservoirBass limit is 2, any size
- McTucker CreekAll Waters Open All Year
- Portneuf RiverAll Waters Open All Year
- Ross Fork Snake RiverAll Waters Open All Year
Region bag limits from Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules, 2025-2027 for the Southeast Region, as printed on IDFG Fishing Planner water pages (the brochure PDF on idfg.idaho.gov was unreachable during site maintenance), read November 7, 2026. Fishing license fees as set in Idaho Code 36-416 (statute; IDFG sale prices add vendor and processing fees), read November 7, 2026.
Where Bannock County anglers stock up
Stores supplying Bannock County anglers
- Dick's Sporting Goods, 1844 Hurley Drbait and tackle shop, Pocatello
- Morning Star Lanyardsbait and tackle shop, Pocatello
- Nirvana on the Fly Officefly shop, Pocatello
- CAL Ranch Chubbucksporting goods store, Chubbuck
- Sportsman's Warehouse Pocatellosporting goods store, Pocatello
Guide services listing Bannock County
- Portneuf River Outfittersfishing guide, Pocatello, (208) 232-4776
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, guide listings (city of business); retrieved November 7, 2026.
Places bordering Bannock County
Idaho town guides that sit inside Bannock County
- Pocatellopop. 56,320
- Chubbuckpop. 15,570
- Fort Hallpop. 3,195
- Tyheepop. 1,130
Neighbouring counties of Bannock County
- Power County31 miles west
- Caribou County35 miles east
- Bingham County37 miles north
- Oneida County38 miles southwest
What Piscifun sells that fits a trip to Bannock County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Visual ID for fish swimming at Bannock County
Photo: USFWS Midwest Region, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Public domain
Photo: Mike Cline, Public domain
Questions that come up about Bannock County water
How many launch sites are mapped in Bannock County?
2 launch sites in all, managed as 2 IDFG.
Which Bannock County lake spreads widest on the Planner?
American Falls Reservoir, at 55,291 acres in the IDFG Fishing Planner.
Which species show up on the most lake pages by Bannock County?
Rainbow trout lead the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by cutthroat trout, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
Is a bait counter listed anywhere in Bannock County, Idaho?
There are 5, Dick's Sporting Goods, 1844 Hurley Dr among them.
Do any Idaho river outfitters work from Bannock County?
1 guide listing list a city here.
Which Idaho town handles Bannock County paperwork?
The seat is Pocatello.
What does an Idaho fishing license cost for Bannock County water?
Under Idaho Code 36-416 a season of fishing costs $28.75 with Idaho residency and $106.25 without it, before vendor fees.
Which Idaho counties are wrapped around Bannock County?
Neighbours by distance: Power County, Caribou County and Bingham County.
What IDFG region do Bannock County lakes fall under?
Mostly the IDFG Southeast Region (100% of listed water); check each water page.
Where do Bannock County waters depart from the region table?
The Planner prints special rules for 4 county waters with a page here, starting with American Falls Reservoir; the list above shows the first ones.
How many fish went into Bannock County water lately?
684 IDFG releases listed on Planner pages, 3,592,742 fish; the newest went into American Falls Reservoir on Oct. 30, 2026.
Hitch up for Bannock County
Read a water's IDFG rule block before keeping fish.