Crystal Lake

Payette River Drainage

    Crystal Lake in Valley County is 6.2 acres.

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    Crystal Lake (44.952668 N, -115.964193 W) is a 2.5 ha lake located at an elevation of 2165 m in the North Fork of the Payette River drainage 12 km northeast of McCall. The trailhead is located on Lick Creek Road 8 km south of Lick Creek Summit. Follow the trail approximately 2.6 km to an unmarked junction, take a left, and then continue another 1.2 km to the lake.* these directions are meant as a general guide. Always check with the land managment agency for trail status and safety.

    Species Observed in Surveys

    Fish Stocking Records

    Date Species Quantity General Size
    2024/09/23 Cutthroat Trout - Westslope 499 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2021/08/07 Cutthroat Trout - Westslope 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2018/08/10 Cutthroat Trout - Westslope 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2015/08/15 Cutthroat Trout - Westslope 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2012/09/05 Cutthroat Trout - Westslope 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2010/08/21 Cutthroat Trout - Westslope 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2008/09/09 Cutthroat Trout - Westslope 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2004/08/28 Cutthroat Trout - Westslope 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2001/09/09 Cutthroat Trout - Westslope 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1999/10/15 Rainbow Trout 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1998/08/22 Cutbow - Cutthroat x Rainbow Trout 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1998/08/22 Cutbow - Cutthroat x Rainbow Trout - Diploid 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1995/07/22 Cutbow - Cutthroat x Rainbow Trout 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1995/07/22 Cutbow - Cutthroat x Rainbow Trout - Diploid 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1992/07/12 Cutbow - Cutthroat x Rainbow Trout 1,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1992/07/12 Cutbow - Cutthroat x Rainbow Trout - Diploid 1,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1989/08/22 Cutthroat Trout - Westslope 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1986/07/28 Rainbow Trout 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1983/08/29 Rainbow Trout 413 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1980/07/30 Rainbow Trout 496 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1976/07/11 Rainbow Trout 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1973/07/24 Rainbow Trout 416 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1968/07/24 Rainbow Trout 1,360 Fry (0-3 inches)
    Source: IDFG Fish Stocking Database.

    Licenses and Tags

    Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
     

    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 Crystal Lake.
    Southwest Region Bag Limits
    Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)

    • Bass limit is 6, both species combined
    • None under 12 inches

    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 6

    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 Snake River drainage below Hells Canyon Dam, 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 lakes and reservoirs). Between Hells Canyon Dam and Oxbow Dam and the Boise River from its mouth upstream to Barber Dam during steelhead seasons, steelhead are Rainbow Trout over 20 inches with the adipose fin clipped (as evidenced by a healed scar)
    • 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 Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Golden Trout, Arctic Grayling, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, land-locked Chinook and Coho Salmon, 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

    Walleye (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.)

    • No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged

    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 includes 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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