Springtime Is Primetime for Fishing

By Larry Barrett, IDFG Sr. Fisheries Technician, Lewiston The grass is green, the sun is warm and the fish are biting. For those with an urge to wet a line, springtime is primetime for fishing, especially at our area lowland lakes. Anglers in the Clearwater Region of Idaho will find 11 waters close to home that provide great spots to fish for rainbow trout. In addition, most of the waters also have good populations of warmwater fish such a largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish and yellow perch. Many of these lakes are managed as Family Fishing Waters that have simplified regulations such as six trout and six bass bag limits, no length limits or fishing gear restrictions. With the simplified regulations, Family Fishing Waters were designed as great places to take youngsters fishing. Most have good fishing docks and restroom facilities. Here is a list of local lakes and some of the fish you might expect to encounter at each. Deer Creek Reservoir, near Pierce, is the state's newest fishing water and is designated a Family Fishing Water with its abundant populations of stocked rainbow and cutthroat trout. The reservoir is open all year to fishing, but because of restrictions, the access road will be open to motorized vehicles May 20-September 30 annually. Outside of those dates, anglers and other lake users will need to make a hike of about half a mile to reach the lake. Elk Creek Reservoir, near Elk River, contains good populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, brook trout, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only. Fenn Pond, near Fenn Ranger Station on the lower Selway River, is a Family Fishing Water and is stocked with rainbow trout in the spring. Mann Lake, near Lewiston, is an irrigation reservoir and is usually drawn down in the late summer, but it is at full pool in the spring. Good populations of largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only. Moose Creek Reservoir, near Bovill, is a Family Fishing Water. Good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only. Soldier's Meadow Reservoir is located 20 miles south of Lewiston. Soldier's Meadow is an irrigation reservoir and is usually drawn down in late summer but it is at full pool in the spring. Good populations of black crappie and stocked rainbow trout. Spring Valley Reservoir, near Troy, is a popular Family Fishing Water. It contains good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and stocked rainbow trout. Boats are restricted to electric motors only. Tolo Lake, near Grangeville, is a fairly turbid natural lake but has been stocked with white crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. Waha Lake is located south of Lewiston near the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area. Waha Lake is a natural lake and has fair populations of smallmouth bass and stocked rainbow trout. Winchester Lake, near Winchester, is a Family Fishing Water. It has excellent populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, and stocked rainbow trout. Visitors to Winchester Lake will notice numerous floating structures on the lake. These are part of an experimental project to improve water quality and fishing by oxygenating the deeper portions of the lake. Boats are restricted to electric motors only. Dworshak Reservoir, near Orofino, is the largest lake in the region, or about 16,000 surface acres at full pool. It has excellent populations of kokanee, smallmouth bass, and rainbow and cutthroat trout. Our latest kokanee population surveys have shown very large numbers of fish this spring, so fish size will probably be down this year, but limits of 25 kokanee should be common. The fish should average eight to ten inches. Look for the best trout fishing at the mouths of tributary streams. The average bass will be in the eight to twelve inches range, but several bass over five pounds are caught every year. The reservoir from Grandad Bridge upstream opens to fishing the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The trout limit in this part of the reservoir is six per day, but only two of those can be cutthroat. So pack up your gear, fishing regulations, cooler and kids and get out and enjoy the springtime outdoors. Remember to always leave the outdoors better than you find it by picking up any garbage that you find.