Crater Lake

Spokane River Drainage

    Crater Lake in Shoshone County is 3.8 acres.

    Species Observed in Surveys

    Fish Stocking Records

    Date Species Quantity General Size
    2021/09/13 Grayling 1,900 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2019/09/25 Grayling 1,900 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2017/09/25 Grayling 1,900 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2015/09/29 Grayling 1,500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2013/09/12 Grayling 1,900 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2011/09/15 Grayling 1,900 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2009/08/17 Grayling 700 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2007/08/29 Grayling 2,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2003/08/01 Grayling 2,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2001/08/09 Grayling 2,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
    2000/07/05 Rainbow - Hayspur Diploid 155 Catchable (6+ inches)
    1999/08/28 Grayling 2,500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1997/08/04 Grayling 1,500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1996/09/11 Grayling 605 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1996/07/22 Grayling 2,500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1995/08/09 Grayling 1,700 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1993/08/13 Grayling 2,500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1992/07/17 Grayling 500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1991/08/15 Grayling 2,500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1990/07/28 Grayling 2,500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1988/08/15 Grayling 2,500 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1987/08/19 Grayling 2,100 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1983/07/13 Grayling 5,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1979/07/06 Grayling 5,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1975/07/11 Grayling 4,515 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1973/10/01 Cutthroat 2,080 Fry (0-3 inches)
    1969/08/01 Cutthroat 2,640 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 Crater Lake.
    Panhandle 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 apply when fishing for Brook Trout

    Bull Trout

    • Bull Trout - catch-and-release

    Burbot

    • Burbot limit is 6

    Chinook Salmon (land-locked)

    • Chinook Salmon limit is 2, none under 24 inches

    Kokanee

    • Kokanee limit is 15

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

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

    Sturgeon

    • Fishing for sturgeon in the Kootenai River is illegal
    • Sturgeon caught incidentally must be released immediately

    Tiger Muskie

    • Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches

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

    • Trout limit is 6, all species combined
    • 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

    All Other Fish Species includes bullfrogs and crayfish

    • No bag, length, or possession limit
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