Idaho Power Places More Fish in Snake River

BOISE, Idaho ( KMVT-TV / KSVT-TV ) – Idaho Power is adding more than 72,000 pan-sized rainbow trout to the Snake River at popular fishing spots this week.

The utility released more than 52,000 rainbow trout into C.J. Strike’s Cottonwood and Jack’s Creek accesses. An additional 15,000 were released into the Lower Salmon Falls Reservoir near Bell Rapids, 3,000 at Centennial Park near Twin Falls and 2,000 below Bliss Dam. Idaho Power’s federal licenses to operate its hydroelectric facilities on the Snake River require the company to preserve and enhance recreational opportunities.

As part of that effort, the company stocks the Mid-Snake each year. This week’s release was the second this year. These fish are raised at a hatchery in the Hagerman Valley, and they are about 10 inches long when released. Those that aren’t caught right away can grow several inches per year.