"Pools" are places in streams where the water is deep and moves slowly. They are super important to fish. Fish really don't like swimming in fast water. They'd much rather hang out in a nice, deep pool with lots of rocks, wood and shade.

Pools are also important to young fish. They spend most of their growing time in pools.

What part of a stream do you think usually provides the best fishing?

Did you ever wonder what fish eat?

Here's the answer. Fish in the streams of the Boise National Forest eat little insects that live in the water. Mayflies, caddis flies, and stoneflies would make any fish drool! The insects live mostly on rocks in the streambed.

Fish also eat tiny plants that grow in the stream called "algae." Algae grows on plant roots that grow along the streambank.