Fishing in Canyon County, Idaho
County seat: Caldwell. Population 231,105.
- 7lake pages
- 6launch sites
- 4river pages
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Fishing Canyon County from the valley floor to the high country
County government for Canyon County meets in Caldwell; the 2020 count found 231,105 residents. Of the waters the Planner lists for the county, 100% sit in the IDFG Southwest Region, the region whose limits most of it follows.
Of 7 lakes with pages, spanning 8,954 acres combined, Lake Lowell comes first by size. 6 launch sites appear on the access layers here, 6 IDFG. The IDFG layer adds 11 walk-in access sites with no ramp, built for bank fishing.
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.
Where to wet a line across Canyon County, plotted
IDFG Fishing and Boating Access Sites, BLM and Forest Service launch points, Fishing Planner lake points (outlet) and stream midpoints. Checked November 2026.
Still water guides inside Canyon County, biggest first
| Lake | Acres | Launches | Kind | Game fish IDFG names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Lowell | 8,826 | 0 | lake | bluegill and sunfish, bullhead, largemouth bass |
| Jensen Lake | 44 | 0 | lake | |
| Water Ski Pond | 35 | 0 | lake | |
| Red Top Pond | 20 | 0 | lake | bluegill and sunfish, bullhead, largemouth bass |
| Caldwell Rotary Pond | 17 | 0 | lake | bluegill and sunfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish |
| Wilson Springs North Pond | 7 | 0 | lake | bluegill and sunfish, largemouth bass, rainbow trout |
| Duff Lane Pond | 5 | 1 | lake | bluegill and sunfish, largemouth bass, rainbow trout |
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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Lake pages up to 50 miles from Caldwell were counted by species, and bluegill and sunfish leads.
IDFG Fishing Planner recommended game fish and stocking rows, counted per lake page within 50 miles; not a creel survey.
Alpine tarns and ponds of Canyon County without a page
These 5 Canyon County lakes sit on the Planner list without a guide yet.
| Water | Acres | Kind | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson Springs Trophy Pond | 4 | lake | Nampa |
| Wilson Springs Beachs Pond | 4 | lake | Nampa |
| Wilson Springs Anderson Pond | 4 | lake | Nampa |
| Hardcastle Pond | 4 | lake | Wilder |
| Wilson Springs South Pond | 1 | lake | Nampa |
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner (list of Idaho waters), read November 7, 2026.
IDFG-listed rivers with their own guide in Canyon County
- Boise RiverIDFG recommended water, 5 USGS gauges
- Snake River1 launch, 14 USGS gauges
- Mason Creek1 USGS gauge, 18.2 mi Planner length
- Fifteenmile Creek1 USGS gauge, 3.8 mi Planner length
Creeks of Canyon County still without an IDFG guide (21)
- Indian Creek66.5 mi
- Ridenbaugh Canal42.1 mi
- Phyllis Canal34.7 mi
- Fivemile Creek33.2 mi
- Sand Hollow Creek28.3 mi
- Tenmile Creek27.6 mi
- Farmers Union Canal25.3 mi
- Deer Flat Low Line Canal24.4 mi
- West Hartley Gulch16 mi
- Willow Creek15.1 mi
- Wilson Drain11.5 mi
- Elijah Drain11.3 mi
- East Hartley Gulch9.3 mi
- Conway Gulch7.9 mi
- Dixie Slough6.2 mi
- Middleton Canal6.2 mi
- Lanktree Gulch5.3 mi
- Unnamed Stream5 mi
- Dixie Drain4.2 mi
- Mason Slough3.4 mi
- Upper Embankment Drain3.2 mi
How Canyon County rivers are running
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Snake River At Nyssa Or | 6,680 cfs, 5.80 ft gage height | Nov 13 6:30 pm |
| Boise River Nr Parma Id | 773 cfs, 8.88 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:00 pm |
| Boise River At Caldwell, Id | 498 cfs, 6.36 ft gage height | Nov 13 6:45 pm |
| Boise R Near Middleton, Id | 371 cfs, 3.75 ft gage height | Nov 13 6:45 pm |
| Dixie Drain Nr Wilder Id | 63 cfs, 1.10 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:15 pm |
| Mason Creek At Caldwell Id | 50 cfs, 5.17 ft gage height | Nov 13 6:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 7:33 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.
Recent IDFG hatchery releases in Canyon County
Canyon County water took 10,779,426 hatchery fish in 2,709 listed releases, spread over 6 waters.
- Lake LowellTiger Muskellunge, 274 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), November 3, 2026
- Lake LowellTiger Muskellunge, 1,235 fish, Catchable (15-19 inches), November 3, 2026
- Snake RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 500 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), October 27, 2026
- Wilson Springs North PondRainbow Trout – Triploid, 243 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), October 23, 2026
- Duff Lane PondRainbow Trout – Triploid, 304 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), October 23, 2026
- Snake RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 21,576 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), October 22, 2026
- Snake RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 5,846 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), October 21, 2026
- Wilson Springs North PondRainbow Trout – Triploid, 213 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), October 16, 2026
- Wilson Springs North PondRainbow Trout – Triploid, 253 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), September 24, 2026
- Boise RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 633 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), September 23, 2026
- Boise RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 633 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), September 23, 2026
- Boise RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 618 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), September 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.
Where to back a trailer down in Canyon County
- Duff Lane boat rampDuff Lane Pond, IDFG, fishing access, ramp, dock, restroom
- Map Rock boat ramplaunch site, IDFG, boating access, ramp, restroom
- Martin Landinglaunch site, IDFG, fishing access, ramp, restroom, camping
- Old Fort Boise boat ramplaunch site, IDFG, boating access, ramp, restroom
- Redtop Pond boat ramplaunch site, IDFG, fishing access, ramp, dock, restroom
- Trappers Flat boat ramplaunch site, IDFG, boating access, ramp, restroom
IDFG access sites, Canyon County (11)
- Airport fishing accessfishing access
- Caldwell Ponds fishing accessfishing access, dock, restroom
- Dixie fishing accessfishing access
- Immigration fishing accessfishing access
- Lansing Lane fishing accessfishing access
- Lava Point fishing accessfishing access
- Midland Road fishing accessfishing access
- Noble Island fishing accessfishing access
- Takatori fishing accessfishing access
- Wilson Springs fishing access on Wilson Springs North Pondfishing access, dock, restroom
- Bent Lane Access Sitefishing 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.
The 2025-2027 limits behind Canyon County fishing
The table below is the IDFG Southwest Region block of the 2025-2027 brochure, the one that governs most of the county's listed waters; a lake or stream in another region follows that region's block. Idaho Code 36-416 fixes the annual fishing license fee at $28.75 for residents and $106.25 for nonresidents, and IDFG vendors add their own handling charge.
| Group | Rule as printed |
|---|---|
| Bass | Bass limit is 6, both species combined; None under 12 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 |
| Bull Trout | Bull Trout – catch-and-release |
| Kokanee | Kokanee limit is 6 |
| Salmon | Spring and summer Chinook Salmon seasons and limits are set by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and issued in separate brochures; Seasons and limits for fall Chinook Salmon and Coho Salmon can be found here; Sockeye Salmon fishing is illegal. Defined as ocean-run Oncorhynchus nerka longer than 14 inches in the Snake River drainage below Hells Canyon Dam, the Salmon River drainage (excluding above Mosquito Flat Dam) |
| Steelhead | Defined as Rainbow Trout longer than 20 inches in the Salmon River drainage (excluding lakes and reservoirs). Between Hells Canyon Dam and Oxbow Dam and the Boise River from its mouth upstream to Barber Dam during steelhead seasons, steelhead are Rainbow Trout over 20 inches with the adipose fin clipped (as evidenced by a healed scar); Fishing for steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season is specifically open |
| 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; Chinook Salmon and steelhead placed in ponds are counted in the trout bag limit; Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately |
| Walleye | No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.) |
| 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 |
| All Other Fish Species | No bag, length, or possession limits |
Exceptions printed for Canyon County water (4)
- Boise RiverAll Waters Open All Year
- Lake LowellJanuary 1 to June 30 – bass – catch-and-release
- Snake RiverAll Waters Open All Year
- Wilson Springs North PondTrout limit is 2
Region bag limits from Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules, 2025-2027 for the Southwest 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.
Record fish IDFG announced near Canyon County
The 2026 announcements name no Canyon County water; these neighbours within 80 miles do.
| Species | Record | Kind | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bullhead Catfish | 17 inches | catch-and-release (length) | Cascade Reservoir | Sept. 5, 2026 |
Idaho state record fish, read November 8, 2026. A partial list: records IDFG announced in 2026.
Gear counters and guides across Canyon County
Canyon County tackle and fly counters
- Anglers Habitatbait and tackle shop, Caldwell
- Aqua Designbait and tackle shop, Nampa
- Dick's Sporting Goods, 16905 N Marketplace Blvdbait and tackle shop, Nampa
- Dream Drifter Adventuresbait and tackle shop, Nampa
- Elken Enterprises of Idahobait and tackle shop, Wilder
- Howard's Tackle Shoppebait and tackle shop, Nampa
- Lake Lowell Service & Grocerybait and tackle shop, Caldwell
- Worm Factorybait and tackle shop, Nampa
- Bi-Mart Caldwellsporting goods store, Caldwell
- Bi-Mart Nampasporting goods store, Nampa
- Sportsman's Warehouse Nampasporting goods store, Nampa
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, guide listings (city of business); retrieved November 7, 2026.
Idaho places beside Canyon County worth a look
Where to sleep in Canyon County
Counties ringing Canyon County
- Payette County26 miles north
- Ada County26 miles southeast
- Gem County34 miles northeast
- Boise County55 miles northeast
Piscifun tackle lined up for a day on Canyon County
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Gem State fish to know on sight at Canyon County
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Thomas Quine, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Pacific Southwest Region, Public domain
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Public domain
Pinning down the details of fishing Canyon County
Does IDFG manage any boat access in Canyon County?
The layers hold 6 launch sites: 6 IDFG.
Which Canyon County lake is largest on the IDFG Fishing Planner?
Lake Lowell, at 8,826 acres in the IDFG Fishing Planner.
What do Idaho anglers catch around Canyon County?
Bluegill and sunfish lead the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, rainbow trout and yellow perch.
Does Canyon County have an Idaho fly shop or bait counter listed?
Anglers Habitat heads a list of 11.
Which guide businesses list an address in Canyon County?
Outfitters in the listings work from other counties.
In which Idaho town do Canyon County commissioners sit?
The county courthouse stands in Caldwell, Idaho.
What license fee applies to Canyon County anglers?
Idaho Code 36-416 fixes the annual fishing license fee at $28.75 for residents and $106.25 for nonresidents, and IDFG vendors add their own handling charge.
Which Idaho counties share a border with Canyon County?
Payette County, Ada County and Gem County lie closest.
Which IDFG region sets the limits for Canyon County?
The IDFG Southwest Region, with 100% of the listed waters.
Does IDFG set special limits anywhere in Canyon County?
The Planner prints special rules for 4 county waters with a page here, starting with Boise River; the list above shows the first ones.
Which Canyon County waters get hatchery fish?
2,709 IDFG releases listed on Planner pages, 10,779,426 fish; the newest went into Lake Lowell on Nov. 3, 2026.
Plan an Idaho day on Canyon County water
Launch pages give the agency, facilities and directions.