Big Lost River
Tributary of the Dry Channel Big Lost River
- Recommended Fishing Water
The Big Lost River drainage provides a high quality stream fishery for anglers. Species present include brook trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish. The scenery is outstanding, particularly in the upper reaches of the river. The river is intermittently dewatered downstream of the Blaine Diversion near the Rothwell Access site.
Directions
The Big Lost River drainage is located on the western edge of the Upper Snake Region. The river runs through the town of Mackay, and extends upstream to the Copper Basin. Make sure you have all the supplies you need before venturing past Mackay, as there are no services past this point. See the Fishing Planner Interactive Mapper for detailed information on facilities and access sites.Recommended Game Fish
- Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)
- Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
- Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Species Observed in Surveys
- Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis observed in 2021
- Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri observed in 2021
- Mountain Whitefish Prosopium williamsoni observed in 2021
- Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss observed in 2021
- Shorthead Sculpin Cottus confusus observed in 2021
- Speckled Dace Rhinichthys osculus observed in 2021
- Rainbow x Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss x clarkii observed in 2012
- Cottus Cottus observed in 2007
Fish Stocking Records
Date | Species | Quantity | General Size |
---|---|---|---|
2021/07/12 | Rainbow Trout | 948 | Greater than 6 inches |
2021/06/21 | Rainbow Trout | 1,498 | Greater than 6 inches |
2019/06/28 | Rainbow Trout | 3,000 | Greater than 6 inches |
2017/04/27 | Rainbow Trout | 252 | Adults |
2016/10/14 | Cutthroat Trout | 19,910 | Less than 6 inches |
2016/09/22 | Rainbow Trout | 1,000 | Greater than 6 inches |
2016/04/13 | Rainbow Trout | 4,512 | Less than 6 inches |
2006/09/22 | Rainbow Trout | 1,710 | Greater than 6 inches |
2006/09/20 | Rainbow Trout | 1,020 | Greater than 6 inches |
2003/06/25 | Rainbow Trout | 26,400 | Less than 6 inches |
2002/07/22 | Rainbow Trout | 900 | Greater than 6 inches |
2002/07/08 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Greater than 6 inches |
2002/06/26 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Greater than 6 inches |
2002/06/10 | Rainbow Trout | 525 | Greater than 6 inches |
2001/08/24 | Rainbow Trout | 350 | Greater than 6 inches |
2001/07/24 | Rainbow Trout | 518 | Greater than 6 inches |
2001/07/10 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Greater than 6 inches |
2001/06/19 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Greater than 6 inches |
2001/06/05 | Rainbow Trout | 499 | Greater than 6 inches |
2001/06/01 | Rainbow Trout | 400 | Greater than 6 inches |
2000/07/24 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Greater than 6 inches |
2000/07/10 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Greater than 6 inches |
2000/06/26 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Greater than 6 inches |
2000/06/13 | Rainbow Trout | 500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1999/07/20 | Rainbow Trout | 612 | Greater than 6 inches |
1999/07/13 | Rainbow Trout | 340 | Greater than 6 inches |
1998/07/21 | Rainbow Trout | 1,013 | Greater than 6 inches |
1998/07/07 | Rainbow Trout | 585 | Greater than 6 inches |
1998/06/22 | Rainbow Trout | 1,050 | Greater than 6 inches |
1998/06/09 | Rainbow Trout | 578 | Greater than 6 inches |
1997/08/08 | Rainbow Trout | 120 | Greater than 6 inches |
1997/07/22 | Rainbow Trout | 576 | Greater than 6 inches |
1997/07/09 | Rainbow Trout | 580 | Greater than 6 inches |
1996/08/20 | Rainbow Trout | 60 | Adults |
1996/07/22 | Rainbow Trout | 780 | Greater than 6 inches |
1996/07/08 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | Greater than 6 inches |
1996/06/27 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1995/07/25 | Rainbow Trout | 756 | Greater than 6 inches |
1995/07/19 | Rainbow Trout | 760 | Greater than 6 inches |
1995/07/10 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | Greater than 6 inches |
1995/06/29 | Rainbow Trout | 791 | Greater than 6 inches |
1994/07/15 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | Greater than 6 inches |
1994/07/01 | Rainbow Trout | 790 | Greater than 6 inches |
1994/06/17 | Rainbow Trout | 765 | Greater than 6 inches |
1994/06/03 | Rainbow Trout | 590 | Greater than 6 inches |
1994/05/27 | Rainbow Trout | 167 | Greater than 6 inches |
1993/07/29 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | Greater than 6 inches |
1993/07/15 | Rainbow Trout | 787 | Greater than 6 inches |
1993/06/29 | Rainbow Trout | 760 | Greater than 6 inches |
1993/06/10 | Rainbow Trout | 760 | Greater than 6 inches |
1992/07/17 | Rainbow Trout | 570 | Greater than 6 inches |
1992/07/06 | Rainbow Trout | 475 | Greater than 6 inches |
1992/06/26 | Rainbow Trout | 256 | Greater than 6 inches |
1992/06/19 | Rainbow Trout | 475 | Greater than 6 inches |
1992/06/10 | Rainbow Trout | 247 | Greater than 6 inches |
1992/06/04 | Rainbow Trout | 247 | Greater than 6 inches |
1992/05/22 | Rainbow Trout | 440 | Greater than 6 inches |
1991/07/16 | Rainbow Trout | 850 | Greater than 6 inches |
1991/07/03 | Rainbow Trout | 756 | Greater than 6 inches |
1991/06/14 | Rainbow Trout | 770 | Greater than 6 inches |
1991/05/30 | Rainbow Trout | 813 | Greater than 6 inches |
1990/07/25 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | Greater than 6 inches |
1990/07/18 | Rainbow Trout | 250 | Greater than 6 inches |
1990/07/11 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | Greater than 6 inches |
1990/06/13 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | Greater than 6 inches |
1990/06/01 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | Greater than 6 inches |
1989/07/20 | Rainbow Trout | 800 | Greater than 6 inches |
1989/06/08 | Rainbow Trout | 1,476 | Greater than 6 inches |
1988/07/21 | Rainbow Trout | 1,540 | Greater than 6 inches |
1988/07/07 | Rainbow Trout | 1,680 | Greater than 6 inches |
1988/06/28 | Rainbow Trout | 1,540 | Greater than 6 inches |
1988/06/07 | Rainbow Trout | 1,650 | Greater than 6 inches |
1987/07/27 | Rainbow Trout | 440 | Greater than 6 inches |
1987/07/21 | Rainbow Trout | 1,320 | Greater than 6 inches |
1987/07/15 | Brown Trout | 37,060 | Less than 6 inches |
1987/07/14 | Brown Trout | 29,920 | Less than 6 inches |
1987/06/30 | Rainbow Trout | 2,640 | Greater than 6 inches |
1987/06/10 | Rainbow Trout | 220 | Greater than 6 inches |
1987/06/08 | Rainbow Trout | 2,640 | Greater than 6 inches |
1987/05/21 | Rainbow Trout | 220 | Greater than 6 inches |
1987/05/20 | Rainbow Trout | 2,640 | Greater than 6 inches |
1986/08/05 | Rainbow Trout | 4,650 | Greater than 6 inches |
1986/08/04 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1986/07/14 | Brown Trout | 81,600 | Less than 6 inches |
1986/07/14 | Rainbow Trout | 4,650 | Greater than 6 inches |
1986/07/11 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1985/07/18 | Rainbow Trout | 756 | Greater than 6 inches |
1985/07/02 | Rainbow Trout | 4,951 | Greater than 6 inches |
1985/06/12 | Rainbow Trout | 2,040 | Greater than 6 inches |
1985/05/22 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1985/05/16 | Rainbow Trout | 2,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1984/08/03 | Brown Trout | 29,575 | Less than 6 inches |
1984/07/25 | Rainbow Trout | 9,400 | Greater than 6 inches |
1984/07/24 | Rainbow Trout | 4,700 | Greater than 6 inches |
1983/08/29 | Rainbow Trout | 4,568 | Less than 6 inches |
1983/08/25 | Rainbow Trout | 1,575 | Less than 6 inches |
1983/07/25 | Rainbow Trout | 5,250 | Greater than 6 inches |
1983/07/01 | Rainbow Trout | 1,576 | Greater than 6 inches |
1982/08/24 | Rainbow Trout | 1,560 | Greater than 6 inches |
1982/08/13 | Rainbow Trout | 1,045 | Greater than 6 inches |
1982/07/21 | Rainbow Trout | 1,440 | Greater than 6 inches |
1982/07/15 | Rainbow Trout | 2,990 | Greater than 6 inches |
1982/05/26 | Rainbow Trout | 3,600 | Greater than 6 inches |
1981/08/20 | Rainbow Trout | 812 | Greater than 6 inches |
1981/07/31 | Rainbow Trout | 1,612 | Greater than 6 inches |
1981/07/02 | Rainbow Trout | 11,410 | Greater than 6 inches |
1981/05/22 | Rainbow Trout | 1,800 | Greater than 6 inches |
1981/05/13 | Rainbow Trout | 2,400 | Greater than 6 inches |
1980/10/17 | Brook Trout | 150 | Adults |
1980/08/29 | Rainbow Trout | 2,160 | Greater than 6 inches |
1980/08/15 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1980/08/08 | Rainbow Trout | 540 | Greater than 6 inches |
1980/08/07 | Rainbow Trout | 1,620 | Greater than 6 inches |
1980/07/25 | Rainbow Trout | 1,400 | Greater than 6 inches |
1980/07/02 | Rainbow Trout | 1,860 | Greater than 6 inches |
1980/05/19 | Rainbow Trout | 4,000 | Greater than 6 inches |
1979/07/13 | Rainbow Trout | 1,980 | Greater than 6 inches |
1979/06/13 | Rainbow Trout | 2,300 | Greater than 6 inches |
1979/05/23 | Rainbow Trout | 4,830 | Greater than 6 inches |
1978/08/25 | Rainbow Trout | 3,080 | Greater than 6 inches |
1978/08/23 | Rainbow Trout | 220 | Greater than 6 inches |
1978/08/15 | Brook Trout | 495 | Less than 6 inches |
1978/08/10 | Rainbow Trout | 4,440 | Greater than 6 inches |
1978/07/27 | Rainbow Trout | 1,665 | Greater than 6 inches |
1978/07/11 | Rainbow Trout | 2,988 | Greater than 6 inches |
1978/06/27 | Rainbow Trout | 2,520 | Greater than 6 inches |
1978/05/24 | Rainbow Trout | 2,700 | Greater than 6 inches |
1977/09/12 | Rainbow Trout | 8,401 | Less than 6 inches |
1977/08/02 | Rainbow Trout | 2,520 | Greater than 6 inches |
1977/06/21 | Rainbow Trout | 1,440 | Greater than 6 inches |
1977/05/24 | Rainbow Trout | 1,320 | Greater than 6 inches |
1976/08/03 | Rainbow Trout | 2,900 | Greater than 6 inches |
1976/07/13 | Rainbow Trout | 2,062 | Greater than 6 inches |
1976/07/02 | Rainbow Trout | 2,160 | Greater than 6 inches |
1976/05/26 | Rainbow Trout | 4,800 | Greater than 6 inches |
1975/09/29 | Rainbow Trout | 5,600 | Greater than 6 inches |
1975/09/04 | Rainbow Trout | 3,300 | Greater than 6 inches |
1975/09/03 | Rainbow Trout | 3,800 | Greater than 6 inches |
1975/08/13 | Rainbow Trout | 2,000 | Greater than 6 inches |
1975/08/06 | Rainbow Trout | 1,920 | Greater than 6 inches |
1975/07/22 | Rainbow Trout | 4,800 | Greater than 6 inches |
1975/06/13 | Rainbow Trout | 4,200 | Greater than 6 inches |
1975/05/21 | Rainbow Trout | 3,800 | Greater than 6 inches |
1974/09/06 | Rainbow Trout | 3,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1974/09/03 | Rainbow Trout | 3,360 | Greater than 6 inches |
1974/08/26 | Rainbow Trout | 3,300 | Greater than 6 inches |
1974/08/16 | Rainbow Trout | 1,920 | Greater than 6 inches |
1974/08/06 | Rainbow Trout | 2,160 | Greater than 6 inches |
1974/07/16 | Rainbow Trout | 2,160 | Greater than 6 inches |
1974/07/15 | Rainbow Trout | 1,800 | Greater than 6 inches |
1974/07/02 | Rainbow Trout | 3,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1974/05/16 | Rainbow Trout | 1,800 | Greater than 6 inches |
1973/08/20 | Rainbow Trout | 2,200 | Greater than 6 inches |
1973/08/13 | Rainbow Trout | 2,800 | Greater than 6 inches |
1973/08/02 | Rainbow Trout | 2,040 | Greater than 6 inches |
1973/08/01 | Rainbow Trout | 1,360 | Greater than 6 inches |
1973/07/26 | Brook Trout | 15 | Greater than 6 inches |
1973/07/26 | Rainbow Trout | 45 | Greater than 6 inches |
1973/07/19 | Rainbow Trout | 1,800 | Greater than 6 inches |
1973/07/12 | Rainbow Trout | 3,200 | Greater than 6 inches |
1973/07/02 | Rainbow Trout | 4,480 | Greater than 6 inches |
1973/06/13 | Rainbow Trout | 3,840 | Greater than 6 inches |
1973/06/12 | Rainbow Trout | 1,920 | Greater than 6 inches |
1973/05/29 | Rainbow Trout | 3,840 | Greater than 6 inches |
1973/05/25 | Rainbow Trout | 1,440 | Greater than 6 inches |
1973/05/16 | Brook Trout | 600 | Less than 6 inches |
1973/05/16 | Rainbow Trout | 2,400 | Less than 6 inches |
1973/05/03 | Rainbow Trout | 4,560 | Greater than 6 inches |
1973/04/11 | Rainbow Trout | 3,900 | Greater than 6 inches |
1972/08/23 | Rainbow Trout | 900 | Greater than 6 inches |
1972/08/22 | Rainbow Trout | 3,720 | Greater than 6 inches |
1972/08/17 | Rainbow Trout | 1,680 | Greater than 6 inches |
1972/08/10 | Rainbow Trout | 3,120 | Greater than 6 inches |
1972/07/26 | Rainbow Trout | 1,800 | Greater than 6 inches |
1972/07/19 | Rainbow Trout | 6,080 | Greater than 6 inches |
1972/07/13 | Rainbow Trout | 1,680 | Greater than 6 inches |
1972/07/06 | Rainbow Trout | 4,080 | Greater than 6 inches |
1972/06/27 | Rainbow Trout | 3,600 | Greater than 6 inches |
1972/06/26 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1972/05/30 | Brook Trout | 240 | Less than 6 inches |
1972/05/30 | Mountain Whitefish | 320 | Less than 6 inches |
1972/05/30 | Rainbow Trout | 1,280 | Greater than 6 inches |
1972/05/17 | Rainbow Trout | 4,080 | Greater than 6 inches |
1972/04/19 | Rainbow Trout | 4,030 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/09/14 | Rainbow Trout | 5,020 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/09/08 | Rainbow Trout | 3,125 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/09/07 | Rainbow Trout | 3,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/08/27 | Rainbow Trout | 1,550 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/08/25 | Rainbow Trout | 2,160 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/08/18 | Rainbow Trout | 2,280 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/08/10 | Rainbow Trout | 2,280 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/08/02 | Rainbow Trout | 2,100 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/07/28 | Rainbow Trout | 1,920 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/07/26 | Rainbow Trout | 1,740 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/07/19 | Rainbow Trout | 2,100 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/07/13 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/07/08 | Rainbow Trout | 2,080 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/06/30 | Rainbow Trout | 3,600 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/05/26 | Rainbow Trout | 6,480 | Greater than 6 inches |
1971/04/09 | Rainbow Trout | 4,900 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/08/31 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/08/27 | Rainbow Trout | 1,920 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/08/24 | Rainbow Trout | 3,840 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/08/19 | Rainbow Trout | 3,120 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/08/18 | Rainbow Trout | 1,920 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/08/07 | Rainbow Trout | 2,400 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/07/31 | Rainbow Trout | 3,400 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/07/30 | Rainbow Trout | 2,220 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/07/22 | Rainbow Trout | 2,560 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/07/13 | Rainbow Trout | 1,920 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/07/02 | Rainbow Trout | 2,320 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/06/18 | Rainbow Trout | 1,860 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/06/03 | Rainbow Trout | 4,200 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/05/19 | Rainbow Trout | 2,280 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/05/06 | Brook Trout | 1,200 | Less than 6 inches |
1970/05/06 | Rainbow Trout | 480 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/04/09 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1970/04/04 | Brook Trout | 600 | Less than 6 inches |
1970/04/04 | Mountain Whitefish | 1,200 | Less than 6 inches |
1970/04/04 | Rainbow Trout | 200 | Less than 6 inches |
1969/09/10 | Rainbow Trout | 1,750 | Less than 6 inches |
1969/08/28 | Rainbow Trout | 1,920 | Less than 6 inches |
1969/08/27 | Rainbow Trout | 5,280 | Greater than 6 inches |
1969/08/25 | Rainbow Trout | 4,200 | Greater than 6 inches |
1969/08/19 | Rainbow Trout | 4,560 | Greater than 6 inches |
1969/08/05 | Rainbow Trout | 4,200 | Greater than 6 inches |
1969/07/31 | Rainbow Trout | 2,640 | Greater than 6 inches |
1969/07/30 | Rainbow Trout | 2,800 | Greater than 6 inches |
1969/07/15 | Rainbow Trout | 3,960 | Greater than 6 inches |
1969/07/01 | Rainbow Trout | 1,920 | Greater than 6 inches |
1968/09/16 | Rainbow Trout | 3,600 | Greater than 6 inches |
1968/09/06 | Rainbow Trout | 3,600 | Greater than 6 inches |
1968/08/29 | Rainbow Trout | 1,400 | Greater than 6 inches |
1968/08/23 | Rainbow Trout | 2,100 | Greater than 6 inches |
1968/08/07 | Rainbow Trout | 2,700 | Greater than 6 inches |
1968/07/23 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1968/07/22 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1968/07/16 | Rainbow Trout | 1,560 | Greater than 6 inches |
1968/07/10 | Rainbow Trout | 1,620 | Greater than 6 inches |
1968/06/18 | Rainbow Trout | 1,740 | Greater than 6 inches |
1968/05/28 | Rainbow Trout | 1,500 | Greater than 6 inches |
1968/05/08 | Rainbow Trout | 3,990 | Greater than 6 inches |
1968/04/24 | Rainbow Trout | 1,720 | Greater than 6 inches |
1968/04/02 | Rainbow Trout | 5,280 | Greater than 6 inches |
Stream Flows and Boating
- USGS Real-time Flow Data: BIG LOST R AT LINCOLN BLVD BRIDGE NEAR ATOMIC CITY, ID
- USGS Real-time Flow Data: BIG LOST RIVER AT HOWELL RANCH NEAR CHILLY, ID
- USGS Real-time Flow Data: BIG LOST RIVER BELOW INL DIV NEAR ARCO, ID
- USGS Real-time Flow Data: BIG LOST RIVER BELOW MACKAY RESERVOIR NEAR MACKAY, ID
- USGS Real-time Flow Data: BIG LOST RIVER NEAR ARCO, ID
Licenses and Tags
- Online
- By phone & credit card:
1-800-554-8685 - License Vendors
- IDFG Offices
Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
The Big Lost River has a 6-trout limit from Memorial Day weekend to December 1, and is one of the few places where anglers can harvest Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout from a stream. However, please remember Mountain Whitefish are catch-and-release only year-round to protect this unique population.
Fishing Rules, 2022 - 2024
All Waters Open All Year
Except as modified in Special Rules
Fishing is not allowed within the posted upstream and downstream boundary of any fish weir or trap.
Daily Bag Limits
The following daily bag limits apply to all waters within each region except as modified in the Special Rules. The possession limit is 3-times the daily bag limit after the second day of the season.
Special Rules
Big Lost River and tributaries- December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekend - trout limit is 0, catch-and-release; whitefish limit is 0, catch-and-release
- Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30 - trout limit is 6; whitefish limit is 0, catch-and-release
Find an error? Please let us know what is wrong so we can get it fixed up! Report a Problem