Little Bayhorse Lake

Salmon River Drainage

  • Recommended Fishing Water
  • Family Fishing Water

Little Bayhorse Lake in Custer County is 17.3 acres.

Interactive Map
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Anglers will find good catch rates at these drive-in mountain lakes, either from shore or a small boat. Separated by a ridge and 250 vertical feet, Bayhorse and Little Bayhorse lakes are connected by a mile long hiking trail. Both lakes offer primitive campsites and a scenic escape from summer heat.

Facilities

Motor Restriction
Yes
Boat Ramp
Yes
Dock
Yes
Toilet
Yes
Campground
Yes
ADA Access
Yes

Directions

From Stanley: at the State Hwy 21 junction, go N on State Hwy 75 just past milepost 236 (about 47 miles); From Challis: go S on US Hwy 93 2 miles, then on State Hwy 75 (about 7 miles plus 0.6 mile past Bayhorse Recreation Site); Turn NW from Hwy 75, crossing the bridge onto FS Rd 051. Follow the road 6 miles to the "Y" and turn left, continuing another mile on FS 051 to (Big) Bayhorse Lake. For Little Bayhorse, keep right at the "Y" onto Little Bayhorse Lake Rd/FS 382 (trailers not recommended) and continue 0.8 mile to Little Bayhorse Lake.

Recommended Game Fish

Species Observed in Surveys

Fish Stocking Records

Date Species Quantity General Size
2024/10/07 Westslope Cutthroat - Triploid 9,949 Fry (0-3 inches)
2024/08/07 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,404 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2024/07/16 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 592 Catchable (6+ inches)
2024/06/20 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 999 Catchable (6+ inches)
2023/08/29 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,056 Catchable (6+ inches)
2023/07/24 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,012 Catchable (6+ inches)
2023/06/28 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,113 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2022/07/25 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,300 Catchable (6+ inches)
2022/07/21 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,040 Catchable (6+ inches)
2022/06/28 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,006 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2021/08/26 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,118 Catchable (6+ inches)
2021/06/30 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,008 Catchable (6+ inches)
2021/06/15 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,013 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2020/08/10 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,000 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2020/07/01 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,003 Catchable (6+ inches)
2020/06/10 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,012 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2019/09/27 Westslope Cutthroat 8,847 Fry (0-3 inches)
2019/08/22 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,001 Catchable (6+ inches)
2019/07/30 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2019/06/17 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,004 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2018/10/18 Westslope Cutthroat 4,632 Fry (0-3 inches)
2018/08/13 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 744 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2018/07/24 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2018/06/27 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,001 Catchable (6+ inches)
2017/07/18 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,011 Catchable (6+ inches)
2017/06/20 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,091 Catchable (6+ inches)
2016/09/20 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,344 Catchable (6+ inches)
2016/06/28 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 939 Catchable (6+ inches)
2016/06/23 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,061 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/09/29 Westslope Cutthroat 12,247 Fry (0-3 inches)
2015/07/20 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 509 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/07/01 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 500 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/06/22 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 508 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/06/16 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 508 Catchable (6+ inches)
2014/07/31 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2014/07/09 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2013/07/15 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2013/06/17 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2011/07/12 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2010/09/01 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,001 Catchable (6+ inches)
2010/08/03 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,002 Catchable (6+ inches)
2010/05/25 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 684 Catchable (6+ inches)
2009/07/08 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,002 Catchable (6+ inches)
2009/06/23 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2008/07/03 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 999 Catchable (6+ inches)
2007/07/12 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2007/06/27 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 739 Catchable (6+ inches)
2007/05/24 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 300 Catchable (6+ inches)
2006/07/31 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2006/07/12 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2005/07/28 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2005/06/30 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2004/07/30 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2004/06/25 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/07/31 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/07/01 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2002/08/14 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2002/07/19 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2001/08/10 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,148 Catchable (6+ inches)
2001/06/26 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,002 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/08/29 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/08/15 Arlee Rainbow 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/07/19 Arlee Rainbow 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/06/29 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/08/19 Arlee Rainbow 1,513 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/08/19 Henrys Lake Cutthroat 199 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/07/12 Arlee Rainbow 1,539 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/08/18 Arlee Rainbow 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/07/01 Arlee Rainbow 2,040 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/08/18 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 2,030 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/07/07 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 2,080 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/09/20 Domestic Kamloops 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/09/18 Domestic Kamloops 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/07/08 Domestic Kamloops 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1995/09/06 Arlee Rainbow 1,050 Catchable (6+ inches)
1995/07/11 Arlee Rainbow 2,070 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/08/12 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/07/20 Arlee Rainbow 1,530 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/07/12 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/06/14 Arlee Rainbow 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1993/07/28 Arlee Rainbow 1,540 Catchable (6+ inches)
1993/07/01 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1993/06/22 Arlee Rainbow 2,504 Catchable (6+ inches)
1992/07/30 Arlee Rainbow 1,575 Catchable (6+ inches)
1992/06/22 Arlee Rainbow 1,900 Catchable (6+ inches)
1991/08/01 Mt Shasta Rainbow 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1991/07/11 Arlee Rainbow 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1990/08/07 Mt Shasta Rainbow 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1990/07/02 Mt Shasta Rainbow 1,680 Catchable (6+ inches)
1989/07/27 Mt Shasta Rainbow 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1989/06/23 Mt Shasta Rainbow 1,140 Catchable (6+ inches)
1988/06/30 McConnaughy Rainbow 2,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1988/06/08 Rainbow Unspecified 1,980 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/07/14 Mt Shasta Rainbow 1,364 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/06/30 Mt Shasta Rainbow 1,320 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/06/24 Mt Shasta Rainbow 1,320 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/07/08 Mt Lassen Rainbow 1,005 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/07/15 Rainbow Unspecified 840 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/06/27 Rainbow Unspecified 500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/09/30 Rainbow X Cutthroat - Diploid 2,626 Fry (0-3 inches)
1979/07/30 Rainbow Unspecified 2,192 Fry (0-3 inches)
1975/08/07 Rainbow Unspecified 2,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1973/09/19 Rainbow Unspecified 1,500 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1973/07/25 Rainbow Unspecified 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/07/18 Rainbow Unspecified 1,600 Catchable (6+ inches)
1971/07/14 Rainbow Unspecified 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/07/15 Rainbow Unspecified 1,600 Catchable (6+ inches)
Source: IDFG Fish Stocking Database.

Licenses and Tags

Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
 

Be cautious on this narrow, steep dirt road, slick when wet, and not recommended for trailers beyond turnoff to Bayhorse Lake. No drinking water at site.

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

No Special Rules for Little Bayhorse Lake.
Salmon Region Bag Limits
Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)

  • 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 25

Salmon (ocean-run)

  • 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 fishing is illegal. Defined as ocean-run Oncorhynchus nerka longer than 14 inches in the Salmon River drainage (excluding above Mosquito Flat Dam)
  • Fishing for salmon is prohibited unless a salmon season is specifically opened for that water

Steelhead (ocean-run)

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

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 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
  • Bull Trout and Brook Trout 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 apply 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, length, or possession limits
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