Big Lost River near Arco stocked with 2,000 rainbow trout

ARCO, Idaho (KIFI) - Due to a high-water year, Idaho Fish and Game was able to stock 2,000 catchable rainbow trout in the lower section of the Big Lost River near the city of Arco on June 29.

According to Fish and Game records, this will be only the second time since the 1980’s that fish have been stocked this close to Arco. The last stocking occurred in 2019.

“It is a rare occurrence for there to be enough water flowing down the lower section Big Lost River through Arco for us to be able to stock fish right in town,” Regional Fisheries Manager Brett High said. “I hope anglers will take full advantage of this rare opportunity and get out fishing as often as they can.”

Six locations were stocked with fish from Moore downstream to Box Canyon south of Arco. Anglers should be able to find fish throughout this stretch of river as long as flows remain consistent.

Visit Fish and Game's Fish Stocking page for more information about where fish are stocked around the state. 

For anglers 14 years of age and older, a valid Idaho fishing license is required. Children 13 years of age and younger do not need a fishing license in Idaho, and can fish for their own limit of fish.

Idaho fishing regulations for Big Lost River and tributaries

• Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30 – daily trout limit is 6 
• whitefish limit is 0, catch-and-release
• December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekend – trout limit is 0, catch-and-release. 
• whitefish limit is 0, catch-and-release

For more information about fishing in Idaho, please use the Idaho Fish Planner.