Bayhorse Lake (Big Bayhorse Lake)

Salmon River Drainage

  • Recommended Fishing Water
  • Family Fishing Water

Bayhorse Lake (Big Bayhorse Lake) in Custer County is 25.0 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 14,135 Fry (0-3 inches)
2024/08/07 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,523 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2024/07/16 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,118 Catchable (6+ inches)
2024/06/20 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,120 Catchable (6+ inches)
2023/08/29 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,980 Catchable (6+ inches)
2023/07/24 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,088 Catchable (6+ inches)
2023/06/28 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,047 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2022/07/20 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,145 Catchable (6+ inches)
2022/07/12 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,005 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2022/06/28 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,013 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2021/08/12 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,903 Catchable (6+ inches)
2021/07/12 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,330 Catchable (6+ inches)
2021/06/14 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,187 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2020/08/10 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,999 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2020/06/30 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,002 Catchable (6+ inches)
2020/06/12 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,000 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2019/09/27 Westslope Cutthroat 8,847 Fry (0-3 inches)
2019/08/08 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,989 Catchable (6+ inches)
2019/07/15 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,083 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2019/06/27 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,002 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2018/10/18 Westslope Cutthroat 3,860 Fry (0-3 inches)
2018/08/15 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,999 Catchable (6+ inches)
2018/06/26 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,005 Catchable (6+ inches)
2017/07/27 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,006 Catchable (6+ inches)
2017/06/28 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2016/08/18 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 4,428 Catchable (6+ inches)
2016/06/28 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 4,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/09/29 Westslope Cutthroat 12,247 Fry (0-3 inches)
2015/08/10 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,012 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/07/01 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,004 Catchable (6+ inches)
2014/08/13 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2014/06/27 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,002 Catchable (6+ inches)
2013/08/05 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,960 Catchable (6+ inches)
2013/06/27 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,999 Catchable (6+ inches)
2012/08/02 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,999 Catchable (6+ inches)
2012/07/02 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,013 Catchable (6+ inches)
2011/08/31 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2011/07/12 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 2,001 Catchable (6+ inches)
2010/08/17 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2010/06/28 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 2,001 Catchable (6+ inches)
2009/07/28 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 2,002 Catchable (6+ inches)
2009/06/30 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 2,063 Catchable (6+ inches)
2008/08/19 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2008/07/02 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 3,074 Catchable (6+ inches)
2007/08/23 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2007/06/26 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 2,002 Catchable (6+ inches)
2006/08/10 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,998 Catchable (6+ inches)
2006/06/30 Rainbow - Troutlodge Triploid 1,995 Catchable (6+ inches)
2005/08/10 Hayspur Kamloops Triploid 2,025 Catchable (6+ inches)
2005/07/12 Hayspur Kamloops Triploid 2,083 Catchable (6+ inches)
2004/09/27 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,380 Catchable (6+ inches)
2004/08/16 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2004/07/07 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,995 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/08/12 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 2,025 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/07/03 Rainbow - Hayspur Triploid 1,995 Catchable (6+ inches)
2002/08/22 Arlee Rainbow 1,995 Catchable (6+ inches)
2002/07/18 Arlee Rainbow 2,025 Catchable (6+ inches)
2001/07/19 Arlee Rainbow 2,001 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/08/11 Domestic Kamloops 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/07/08 Domestic Kamloops 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/08/20 Domestic Kamloops 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/07/29 Domestic Kamloops 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/08/11 Rainbow Unspecified 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/07/09 Rainbow Unspecified 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/09/19 Domestic Kamloops 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/09/17 Domestic Kamloops 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/08/22 Domestic Kamloops 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/08/16 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 1,900 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/07/11 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 2,030 Catchable (6+ inches)
1995/08/03 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1995/07/18 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1992/06/22 Arlee Rainbow 1,140 Catchable (6+ inches)
1991/07/11 Arlee Rainbow 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1990/07/02 Mt Shasta Rainbow 840 Catchable (6+ inches)
1989/06/23 Mt Shasta Rainbow 1,140 Catchable (6+ inches)
1988/08/01 Rainbow Unspecified 2,025 Catchable (6+ inches)
1988/06/08 Rainbow Unspecified 990 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/06/23 Mt Shasta Rainbow 1,320 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/08/06 Mt Lassen Rainbow 2,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/07/08 Mt Lassen Rainbow 2,010 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/07/15 Rainbow Unspecified 1,338 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/06/27 Rainbow Unspecified 1,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1984/08/09 Mt Whitney Rainbow 1,524 Catchable (6+ inches)
1984/07/03 Mt Whitney Rainbow 2,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
1983/08/16 Rainbow Unspecified 2,365 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1983/07/22 Rainbow Unspecified 2,009 Catchable (6+ inches)
1982/08/11 Rainbow Unspecified 2,363 Catchable (6+ inches)
1982/07/19 Rainbow Unspecified 1,680 Catchable (6+ inches)
1981/07/29 Rainbow Unspecified 3,140 Fry (0-3 inches)
1981/06/16 Rainbow Unspecified 3,996 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/06/26 Rainbow Unspecified 4,250 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/06/29 Rainbow Unspecified 3,150 Catchable (6+ inches)
1978/07/18 Rainbow Unspecified 2,960 Catchable (6+ inches)
1977/06/23 Rainbow Unspecified 4,400 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/07/14 Rainbow Unspecified 3,300 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/08/20 Rainbow Unspecified 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1974/07/10 Rainbow Unspecified 1,080 Catchable (6+ inches)
1973/09/19 Rainbow Unspecified 1,500 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1970/07/15 Rainbow Unspecified 320 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/07/28 Rainbow Unspecified 1,645 Catchable (6+ inches)
1968/07/15 Rainbow Unspecified 1,560 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; Forest Service advises trailers under 32 feet. No drinking water at site.

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 Bayhorse Lake (Big Bayhorse Lake).
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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