Little Lost River

Lost River Drainage

  • Recommended Fishing Water

Little Lost River in Butte County is 48.7 miles in length.

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The remote location of the Little Lost River keeps the crowds of anglers from venturing too far afield during most of the year. That means great fishing and solitude for those willing to make the trek out. Combined with fish that do not see the fishing pressure of other more popular waters makes this a location to put on your to-do list.

Facilities

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

Directions

The Little Lost River is found north of the town of Howe.

Recommended Game Fish

Species Observed in Surveys

Fish Stocking Records

Date
Species
Quantity
General Size
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Date
Species
Quantity
General Size
2008/08/14 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 171 Catchable (6+ inches)
2008/07/17 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 172 Catchable (6+ inches)
2008/06/19 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 171 Catchable (6+ inches)
1984/07/26 Rainbow Trout 705 Catchable (6+ inches)
1984/05/16 Rainbow Trout 70,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
1982/07/23 Rainbow Trout 804 Catchable (6+ inches)
1982/06/29 Rainbow Trout 900 Catchable (6+ inches)
1981/07/27 Rainbow Trout 827 Catchable (6+ inches)
1981/06/19 Rainbow Trout 905 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/08/28 Rainbow Trout 540 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/08/12 Rainbow Trout 375 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/07/03 Rainbow Trout 2,480 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/08/28 Rainbow Trout 1,950 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/07/11 Rainbow Trout 1,320 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/06/11 Rainbow Trout 690 Catchable (6+ inches)
1978/08/23 Rainbow Trout 880 Catchable (6+ inches)
1978/08/07 Rainbow Trout 2,200 Catchable (6+ inches)
1978/07/14 Rainbow Trout 420 Catchable (6+ inches)
1978/06/12 Rainbow Trout 580 Catchable (6+ inches)
1977/08/29 Rainbow Trout 5,360 Fry (0-3 inches)
1977/07/12 Rainbow Trout 2,450 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/08/11 Rainbow Trout 1,680 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/07/19 Rainbow Trout 660 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/07/07 Rainbow Trout 1,875 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/08/08 Rainbow Trout 4,680 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/07/21 Rainbow Trout 3,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/06/17 Rainbow Trout 2,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
1974/08/29 Rainbow Trout 760 Catchable (6+ inches)
1974/07/23 Rainbow Trout 1,020 Catchable (6+ inches)
1973/08/13 Rainbow Trout 700 Catchable (6+ inches)
1973/07/02 Rainbow Trout 640 Catchable (6+ inches)
1973/06/11 Rainbow Trout 1,280 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/07/18 Rainbow Trout 1,280 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/06/26 Rainbow Trout 1,800 Catchable (6+ inches)
1971/09/09 Rainbow Trout 870 Catchable (6+ inches)
1971/07/20 Rainbow Trout 1,440 Catchable (6+ inches)
1971/07/02 Rainbow Trout 700 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/08/26 Rainbow Trout 640 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/07/24 Rainbow Trout 370 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/06/23 Rainbow Trout 1,200 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/06/02 Rainbow Trout 1,280 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/08/29 Rainbow Trout 2,560 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1969/07/29 Rainbow Trout 1,750 Catchable (6+ inches)
1968/07/03 Rainbow Trout 700 Catchable (6+ inches)
1968/04/24 Rainbow Trout 2,150 Catchable (6+ inches)
Source: IDFG Fish Stocking Database.

Licenses and Tags

Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
 

The river is managed with a reduced bag limit of 2 fish. Be aware that Bull Trout are found here, and are not legal for harvest.

Fishing Rules, 2025 - 2027

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.

Special Rules

Little Lost River and tributaries
  • Trout limit is 2
Upper Snake Region Bag Limits
Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)

  • Bass - no bag, length, or possession limits

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 apply when fishing for Brook Trout

Bull Trout

  • Bull trout - catch-and-release

Kokanee

  • Kokanee limit is 15

Sturgeon

  • Sturgeon - catch-and-release
  • Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be released upon landing
  • Barbless hooks, sliding swivel device to secure a weight, and a lighter test line to secure weight to sliding swivel device are 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, Arctic Grayling, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and trout hybrids (e.g. Tiger Trout)

  • Trout limit is 6, all species combined
  • Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately

Walleye (Have not been stocked intentionally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.)

  • No bag, length, or possession limits, harvest is encouraged

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 apply when fishing for whitefish

Protected Nongame Fish including Bluehead Sucker (also known as Green Sucker)

  • May not be harvested or possessed

All Other Fish Species includes bullfrogs and crayfish

  • No bag, length or possession limit
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