Lake trout in Idaho

Idaho waters

Most fished first. A species missing from an agency list does not mean it is absent; this page lists only waters whose list names it (at least 5 are needed for a page).

• Clark Fork RiverAgency list: Idaho Department of Fish and Game
• Lake Pend OreilleAgency list: Idaho Department of Fish and Game
• Priest LakeAgency list: Idaho Department of Fish and Game
• Stanley LakeAgency list: Idaho Department of Fish and Game
• Upper Priest LakeAgency list: Idaho Department of Fish and Game
• Palisades ReservoirAgency list: Idaho Department of Fish and Game
• Payette LakeAgency list: Idaho Department of Fish and Game
• Warm LakeAgency list: Idaho Department of Fish and Game

Identification

• Lake trout have light spots on a black to gray background that get lighter down the sides, a white belly, and orange to orange-red lower fins with white leading edges.[1]
  What the source says

  “The lake trout has light spots on a black to gray background, which progressively get lighter moving down the side of the fish. The belly is white. The lower fins are often orange to orange-red with a leading white edge.”

• Glacier National Park says lake trout have a deeply forked tail and many light markings, with no pink or orange spots on the sides. That helps separate them from bull trout.[2]
  What the source says

  “Lake trout have a deeply forked tail and numerous white (light) markings on their body. They do not have pink or orange spots on their sides.”

More on identifying lake trout

Status, protections and rules

As each agency stated them on the date read; a rule applies only where its agency says so. Check the current regulations for the water before you fish.

• Overfishing and the parasitic sea lamprey severely reduced Great Lakes lake trout populations from 1935 to 1965.[1]
  What the source says

  “Over commercial fishing and the introduction of the parasitic sea lamprey severely reduced the lake trout populations in the Great Lakes from 1935 to 1965.”

• Yellowstone National Park rule: every lake trout caught from Yellowstone Lake must be killed. Releasing one alive is illegal.[3]
  What the source says

  “All lake trout caught from Yellowstone Lake must be killed— it is illegal to release them alive.”

• In Glacier National Park, the National Park Service says non-native lake trout are a grave threat to native bull trout, westslope cutthroat trout and other native species in several lakes.[4]
  What the source says

  “Non-native Lake trout pose a grave threat to native bull trout, westslope cutthroat trout and other native species in several park lakes.”

Water temperature in Idaho

• Under 66°FIn the study Idaho Fish and Game cites, trout landed in water under 66°F survived best: mortality “was 69% higher for trout landed at 73°F water temperatures than for those landed when waters were less than 66°F.” In summer, “early-mornings are typically best while the water is still cool.”
• WarmingIdaho Fish and Game cites a study in which mortality “was 69% higher for trout landed at 73°F water temperatures than for those landed when waters were less than 66°F.” Fish early: “early-mornings are typically best while the water is still cool.”
• 73°FIdaho Fish and Game: “On those occasions where trout streams do get above 73°F, anglers may want to pause fishing because catch rates are noticeably lower.” Idaho sets no temperature closure: “Idaho Fish and Game is hesitant to close fishing in wild trout waters based on warm water temperatures.”

Sources: Perspective: Trout fishing during low water and high temperatures (25 July 2024; archived copy) (Idaho Department of Fish and Game); The heat is on, but trout and other coldwater fish have been around the block a time or two (9 Aug 2022; archived copy) (Idaho Department of Fish and Game).

Destination hubs

Hubs that list one of these waters, or that a water page is near: each has guides, shops, licences and trip planning for the area.

• Jackson Hole, Wyoming1 lake trout water

Hatch & season charts

• Northern Rockies8 sourced rows

Sources

Every fact on this page is our paraphrase of the page cited beside it, read on the date shown. Rules and seasons change: check the agency's current regulations before you fish.

1. Lake trout Michigan Department of Natural Resources, read Oct 24, 2026.
2. Fishing - Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) National Park Service, read Oct 24, 2026.
3. Fishing - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) National Park Service, read Oct 24, 2026.
4. Fish - Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service) National Park Service, read Oct 24, 2026.