Spring Creek (Blue Ribbon Trout Management Area)

Spring Creek, located on U. S. Forest Service property around Highway J in Phelps County, is best when fished from January until early summer. Rainbow trout migrate downstream from private property after the winter spawn and fish of all sizes can be caught. Anglers may find trophy rainbow trout in this section of river, but the population ebbs and flows with floods and time of year. 2023 saw a good number of quality fish on Forest Service owned sections of stream, where most were larger than 14 inches.  When typically fishing for naturally-spawned rainbow trout, anglers can expect fishing for long periods of time without seeing fish; however, their patience can be rewarded with rainbow trout upwards of 24 inches (sneaking up on habitats and being quiet is key). Trout anglers should concentrate on the downstream end of riffles/runs around deep holes with woody debris. During the summer, anglers should also look for (or feel) small spring seeps as fish seem to prefer these cooler refuges on the public portion of the creek. The average size of these naturally-spawned rainbow trout caught is 8 inches.