Ice Fishing in Idaho

On Wednesday, March 23, surface and ice conditions were checked at Lake Cascade, Horsethief Reservoir, and Payette Lake. Unfortunately, recent warm temperatures have significantly reduced ice thickness around the edges of Cascade and Payette Lakes - making them both unsafe for ice fishing.

On Thursday, March 17 we checked surface and ice conditions on Cascade and Payette Lakes. Recent warm temperatures have compacted the ice layer into a uniform layer of clear ice. We did not observe very much, if any, snow on top of the ice which can make travel (on foot and motorized) more difficult. Please be careful out there.

On Thursday, March 10 I checked surface and ice conditions on Cascade and Payette Lakes. While conditions remain safe for fishing, recent warm temperatures and rain have dramatically changed the ice profiles on each lake. In particular, much of the "white" ice in previous weeks has been compressed into a more uniform layer of clear ice at both lakes.

On Wednesday, February 23 we checked conditions on Cascade and Payette Lakes. Surface and ice conditions remain favorable for travel on both lakes. However, on Payette Lake, surface conditions have become slightly less favorable with a layer of slush forming over the ice. Snow is forecasted later this week which may change current conditions. 

On Wednesday, February 16 we checked conditions on Cascade and Payette Lakes. Surface and ice conditions remain favorable for travel on both lakes. Please be aware of warm daily highs leading into the weekend, followed by some snow forecasted on Sunday. On Lake Cascade, we do not recommend using wheeled ATVs or UTVs due to unpredictable slush development. On Payette Lake we do not recommend any motorized forms of travel. 

On Wednesday, February 2 we checked  conditions on Cascade and Payette Lakes. New snow has fallen on each lake, but not very much of it. In general ice conditions are good. The weekend weather forecast looks to have single digit nighttime temperatures and daytime highs near 35 degrees.

Despite signage indicating that a closure to protect birds runs from Feb. 1 through July 1, hardwater anglers will have an additional month to use several ice fishing access areas around Cascade Reservoir, including popular access sites like Crown Point and Sugarloaf.