Iron Lake (Iron Lake #2)

Salmon River Drainage

  • Recommended Fishing Water
  • Family Fishing Water

Iron Lake (Iron Lake #2) in Lemhi County is 16.8 acres.

Interactive Map
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Here is a beautiful remote lake with good camping and fishing in Idaho's backcountry, but be prepared to drive the rough and narrow mountain roads with switchbacks to get there. There is a Forest Service campground at the lake.

Facilities

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

Directions

From Salmon, travel 5 miles south on US Hwy 93. At Shoup Bridge turn right and cross the Salmon River onto Forest Service Road (FR) 021 (Williams Creek Rd). In 0.8 mile, this road veers left (south). Continue west on FR 021 for about 13 miles, then turn left on FR 020 and proceed south about 18 miles.

Recommended Game Fish

Species Observed in Surveys

Fish Stocking Records

Date Species Quantity General Size
2023/09/12 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 405 Catchable (6+ inches)
2023/09/12 Westslope Cutthroat - Triploid 5,094 Fry (0-3 inches)
2023/07/19 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,624 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2022/08/05 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 500 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2022/08/02 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 500 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2022/08/01 Westslope Cutthroat 5,163 Fry (0-3 inches)
2021/09/08 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,008 Catchable (6+ inches)
2021/09/08 Westslope Cutthroat - Triploid 5,091 Fry (0-3 inches)
2021/07/01 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,038 Catchable (6+ inches)
2020/09/02 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,004 Catchable (6+ inches)
2020/07/20 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,043 Catchable (6+ inches)
2019/08/12 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2019/08/12 Westslope Cutthroat 5,106 Fry (0-3 inches)
2019/07/01 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,006 Catchable (6+ inches)
2018/10/01 Westslope Cutthroat 5,644 Fry (0-3 inches)
2018/06/26 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,001 Catchable (6+ inches)
2017/07/26 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,008 Catchable (6+ inches)
2017/07/26 Westslope Cutthroat 5,083 Fry (0-3 inches)
2017/06/29 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 999 Catchable (6+ inches)
2016/09/22 Westslope Cutthroat 9,632 Fry (0-3 inches)
2016/07/27 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2016/07/27 Westslope Cutthroat 5,110 Fry (0-3 inches)
2016/06/29 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 999 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/07/27 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 998 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/07/27 Westslope Cutthroat 5,090 Fry (0-3 inches)
2015/06/29 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2014/09/23 Westslope Cutthroat 3,209 Fry (0-3 inches)
2014/07/30 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 951 Catchable (6+ inches)
2014/07/01 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 997 Catchable (6+ inches)
2013/07/31 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,001 Catchable (6+ inches)
2013/07/31 Westslope Cutthroat 5,208 Fry (0-3 inches)
2013/07/05 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,001 Catchable (6+ inches)
2012/08/13 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2012/08/13 Westslope Cutthroat 5,074 Fry (0-3 inches)
2012/06/29 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 989 Catchable (6+ inches)
2011/08/22 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 999 Catchable (6+ inches)
2011/08/22 Westslope Cutthroat 5,101 Fry (0-3 inches)
2011/07/26 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2010/08/25 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2010/08/25 Westslope Cutthroat 5,166 Fry (0-3 inches)
2010/07/14 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,001 Catchable (6+ inches)
2009/08/03 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2009/07/06 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,015 Catchable (6+ inches)
2008/09/29 Westslope Cutthroat 1,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
2008/07/30 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,001 Catchable (6+ inches)
2008/07/09 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 999 Catchable (6+ inches)
2007/07/31 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 999 Catchable (6+ inches)
2007/06/28 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,001 Catchable (6+ inches)
2006/07/27 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,007 Catchable (6+ inches)
2006/07/06 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,035 Catchable (6+ inches)
2005/08/22 Westslope Cutthroat 1,501 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2005/07/25 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,020 Catchable (6+ inches)
2005/06/29 Hayspur Kamloops Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2004/08/31 Westslope Cutthroat 1,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
2004/07/26 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,035 Catchable (6+ inches)
2004/07/06 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,045 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/08/04 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,093 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/06/30 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,050 Catchable (6+ inches)
2002/08/07 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,070 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2002/07/29 Arlee Rainbow 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2002/07/11 Arlee Rainbow 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2001/08/21 Arlee Rainbow 840 Catchable (6+ inches)
2001/06/21 Arlee Rainbow 921 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/07/12 Arlee Rainbow 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/06/30 Arlee Rainbow 800 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/08/23 Arlee Rainbow 525 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/08/23 Henrys Lake Cutthroat 201 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/07/19 Arlee Rainbow 803 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/08/25 Westslope Cutthroat 1,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
1998/08/21 Arlee Rainbow 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/08/21 Henrys Lake Cutthroat 1,550 Fry (0-3 inches)
1998/07/23 Arlee Rainbow 1,020 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/08/21 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 1,080 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/07/21 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 1,275 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/08/15 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 1,140 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/08/09 Westslope Cutthroat 1,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
1996/07/19 Henrys Lake Cutthroat 1,541 Fry (0-3 inches)
1996/07/19 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 1,020 Catchable (6+ inches)
1995/08/09 Arlee Rainbow 1,080 Catchable (6+ inches)
1995/07/20 Arlee Rainbow 1,080 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/08/04 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/06/29 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1993/08/10 Arlee Rainbow 906 Adults
1993/07/27 Arlee Rainbow 1,027 Catchable (6+ inches)
1993/07/16 Arlee Rainbow 1,092 Catchable (6+ inches)
1992/09/03 Westslope Cutthroat 1,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
1992/08/05 Arlee Rainbow 1,020 Catchable (6+ inches)
1992/07/02 Mt Shasta Rainbow 1,235 Catchable (6+ inches)
1991/08/05 Mt Shasta Rainbow 1,062 Catchable (6+ inches)
1991/07/15 Arlee Rainbow 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1990/08/08 Mt Shasta Rainbow 1,020 Catchable (6+ inches)
1990/07/17 Mt Shasta Rainbow 1,025 Catchable (6+ inches)
1989/08/31 Westslope Cutthroat 1,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
1989/08/09 Mt Shasta Rainbow 1,008 Catchable (6+ inches)
1989/06/28 Mt Shasta Rainbow 998 Catchable (6+ inches)
1988/07/08 McConnaughy Rainbow 5,100 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1987/06/09 Rainbow Unspecified 5,200 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1986/09/02 Mt Lassen Rainbow 1,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
1986/07/30 Eagle Lake Rainbow 5,100 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1985/07/10 Mt Shasta Rainbow 5,022 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1983/09/04 Rainbow Unspecified 1,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
1982/08/10 Rainbow Unspecified 5,120 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1981/07/13 Rainbow Unspecified 5,166 Fry (0-3 inches)
1980/08/04 Rainbow Unspecified 1,575 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/07/18 Rainbow Unspecified 600 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/07/18 Rainbow Unspecified 2,506 Fry (0-3 inches)
1978/07/25 Rainbow Unspecified 2,035 Catchable (6+ inches)
1977/08/18 Cutthroat 288 Fry (0-3 inches)
1977/08/16 Rainbow Unspecified 2,400 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1976/07/28 Rainbow Unspecified 2,006 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1975/07/31 Rainbow Unspecified 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1974/08/09 Cutthroat 1,008 Fry (0-3 inches)
1973/08/28 Rainbow Unspecified 4,800 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1973/07/12 Rainbow Unspecified 1,680 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/07/20 Rainbow Unspecified 1,920 Catchable (6+ inches)
1971/08/16 Cutthroat 1,080 Fry (0-3 inches)
1971/08/05 Rainbow Unspecified 2,580 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/07/17 Rainbow Unspecified 2,040 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/07/16 Rainbow Unspecified 2,340 Catchable (6+ inches)
1968/08/02 Cutthroat 1,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
1968/07/08 Rainbow Unspecified 1,560 Catchable (6+ inches)
Source: IDFG Fish Stocking Database.

Licenses and Tags

Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
 

Note: Forest Service Road 020 is a narrow, rough road requiring slow and careful driving. Not recommended for RVs and trailers.

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

No Special Rules for Iron Lake (Iron Lake #2).
Salmon Region Bag Limits
Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)

  • No bag, size 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 must be followed when fishing for Brook Trout

Bull Trout

  • Bull trout limit is 0, catch-and-release

Kokanee

  • Kokanee limit is 25

Salmon

  • Spring and summer Chinook Salmon seasons and limits are set by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and issued in separate brochures
  • Seasons and limits for fall Chinook Salmon and Coho Salmon can be found here
  • Sockeye Salmon limit is 0 and fishing for or targeting Sockeye Salmon is illegal
  • Fishing for or targeting salmon is prohibited unless a salmon season is specifically opened for that water

Steelhead (ocean-going)

  • Defined as Rainbow Trout longer than twenty (20) inches in length in the Salmon River drainage (excluding the Lemhi and Pahsimeroi rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and ponds)
  • Fishing for or targeting steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season is specifically opened for that water (see fishing regulationsfor details)

Sturgeon

  • Sturgeon limit is 0, catch-and-release
  • Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be released upon landing
  • Barbless hooks 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

Tiger Muskie

  • Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches

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

  • Trout limit is 6, all species combined
  • Chinook Salmon and steelhead placed in ponds are counted in the trout bag limit
  • Does not include Bull Trout and Brook Trout which are listed separately

Whitefish

  • Whitefish 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 whitefish

Protected Nongame Fish including Pacific Lamprey

  • May not be harvested or possessed

All Other Fish Species includes bullfrogs and crayfish

  • No bag, size or possession limit
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