Little Lost River

Lost River Drainage

  • Recommended Fishing Water

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

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

Little Lost River and tributaries
  • Trout limit is 2
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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