| Type | Description |
|
Rainbow Trout
|
Rainbow
trout are the most widespread trout in Idaho, occurring naturally in
most major drainages and introduced wherever else habitat will support
them. Generally, if the water holds trout, the hardy rainbow will be
among them. Golden trout—found only in a few high mountain lakes in
the Sawtooths, Bitterroots and Lemhis—are a variant of rainbow. So are
the fast-growing, sometimes-giant kamloops of the big north Idaho lakes
and a few other secret holes such as Lake Walcott in the south central
part of the state. In a few waters including Henrys Lake, rainbows have
crossed with cutthroat trout to create the colorful and vigorous hybrid
"cuttbow".
|
 Cutthroat
Trout |
Cutthroat
trout come in several variations including the Westslope, Yellowstone,
and Bonneville strains. All cutthroats are distinguished by red slashes
under their lower jaws, hence the name. They demand the best in water
quality and are usually aggressive about taking whatever the angler
throws their way. Because of this eagerness to bite, they must be
protected by special regulations in much of their range (note special
cutthroat regulations, which vary from region to region). Where they are
abundant, cutthroats offer some of the hottest catch-and-release wild
trout action any angler could ask.
|
 Brown
Trout |
Brown
trout grow to good size in many Idaho waters, tending to do well in
larger streams, often where temperature and clarity does not quite
measure up to the standards demanded by rainbow or cutthroat. In some
streams and lakes, they share habitat with rainbows. Monster browns lurk
in the tailraces of big dams including Palisades and American Falls in
southeastern Idaho, but one of the biggest Idaho browns was caught from
the Boise River within the limits of the capitol city. The Little Wood
River in the desert of south central Idaho is famous among flyfishermen
for its browns.
|
 Brook
Trout |
Brook
trout, native to the eastern U.S., do well in higher elevation Idaho
waters from small streams to alpine lakes but the largest may be found
in Henrys Lake. In many waters, brookies reproduce all too well and
stunting occurs where there is not enough fishing pressure or predators.
Watch regulations for areas where a special bonus limit of brookies is
offered. No catch-and-release on these little guys; eat ‘em! One of
the best-tasting of all trout or char species, this is not a challenge.
|
 Bull
Trout |
Bull
trout (a.k.a. Dolly Varden) are, like the brook trout and lake trout,
really a char and not a trout. There is at this time no legal harvest of
bull trout in the State of Idaho. Bull trout are in trouble throughout
most of their range in the northern Rockies. Idaho anglers and fisheries
managers are trying to recover this native fish before it goes on the
Endangered Species list.
|
 Lake
Trout |
Lake
trout fishing rewards the specialized angler equipped to fish deep in
big water. The huge lakes of north Idaho and Bear Lake in the southeast
corner are well-known as lake trout waters. A few smaller lakes
including Payette Lake and Warm Lake in the western mountains contain
lake trout as well but there is a special 36-inch minimum at Payette
Lake to protect the spawning stock there. The specialized equipment and
knowledge necessary for successful lake trout fishing makes going with
an outfitter, at least the first time, the best chance of seeing some
action.
|
 Grayling
|
Grayling
are not trout but they are taken from the same waters by the same
methods and are highly regarded by most trout anglers. Grayling were
transplanted into high mountain lakes long ago but prospered in only a
few. Those remote lakes, like the locations of golden trout, are closely
guarded secrets among anglers and are not publicized by the Department
of Fish and Game. The determined and stout of leg can try the gorgeous
little lakes in the Sawtooths and Lemhis
|
