NOTE: This photo is simply a representation, not the fish referenced below.
The Henry’s Fork Foundation has been made aware of a Brown Trout recently caught and photographed in Last Chance. We know this is of great concern to many anglers, as the upper Henry’s Fork above Mesa Falls has been a beloved Rainbow Trout fishery for decades.
How did it get there?
It can be difficult to know, but Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game is investigating a likely cause. Based on current information, it seems likely that private ponds, stocked with Brown Trout and other species, can become connected to the river during times of high water. It is then possible for these fish to pass (downstream) through dams to access other parts of the river.
We have heard observations of anglers catching other species in rare instances, but so far these reports have been few and far between, and don’t appear in population level assessments. NOTE: IDFG noted one Brown Trout in a Henry’s Lake assessment and one in a Box Canyon survey in 2023.
What can be done about it?
Idaho Dept of Fish and Game is actively investigating and addressing the situation, working with local landowners with private ponds that could have an impact on the Henry’s Lake and Henry’s Fork fisheries. HFF will continue to support these efforts, by collecting data and assessing issues that could impact river health.
Please remember, it is illegal to transport and release any live fish species into Idaho water without a permit. If you illegally introduce fish into a water body, you could be held financially liable for restoration costs. Also, stocking or maintaining fish in a private pond requires a Private Pond Permit from IDFG.
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