Big Lost River

Tributary of the Dry Channel Big Lost River

Recommended Fishing Water

Big Lost River in Butte and Custer Counties is 134.9 miles in length.

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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.

Facilities

Motor Restriction: No
Boat Ramp: No
Dock: No
Toilet: Yes
Campground: Yes
ADA Access: Yes

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

Source: IDFG Fish Stocking Database.

Stream Flows and Boating

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

Upper Snake Region Bag Limits

Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)

Bass limit is 6, both species combined

Brook Trout

Brook Trout limit is 25
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules - if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they must be followed when fishing for Brook Trout

Bull Trout

Bull trout limit is 0, catch-and-release

Kokanee

Kokanee limit is 15

Sturgeon

Sturgeon limit is 0, catch-and-release
Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be released upon landing
Barbless hooks are required
Use of a sliding swivel device to secure a weight, and a lighter test line to secure weight to sliding swivel device is required. See fishing regulations for details

Tiger Muskie

Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches

Trout includes Brown Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Splake, Arctic Grayling, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and trout hybrids (e.g. Tiger Trout)

Trout limit is 6, all species combined
Does not include Bull Trout and Brook Trout which are listed separately

Whitefish

Whitefish limit is 25 - see Big Lost River exception
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules - if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they must be followed when fishing for whitefish

Protected Nongame Fish including Northern Leatherside Chub and Bluehead Sucker (also known as Green Sucker)

May not be harvested or possessed

All Other Fish Species includes bullfrogs and crayfish

No bag, size or possession limit

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