Mountain Lakes

[dastud_1991]

Hey everybody i have been on here for a while and would like to glean some knowledge from everyone. what i want to do is put together a list of mountain lakes, what size and kind of fish are in them, and what kind of baits or lures to use. i am specifically interested in the white clouds and odd species of fish (anythin other than the regular rainbow would be appreciated) thanks guys!
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[dastud_1991]

bump
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[fishingiscool]

The white clouds is a fun area I have hiked into the boulder chain lakes a couple of times as far as the size of fish the mountain lakes seem to go in cycles one time you go up and catch 18 inchers and the next time a couple years later all you catch is 6 inch stockers, but the last time i went up there I caught some really nice fish in noisy lake, the time before that someone in my group caught a three pounder out of frog lake. I usually just fish with small panther martins but i also caught some with rapalas and flies, wether there are big fish or not it always fun just to get up there and enjoy the scenery
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[dastud_1991]

hey thanks for the input
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[windriver]

I need to get up in the White Clouds. Obviously I am a fan of the Windrivers in WY and the fishing there.

Windriver
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[DeeCee]

I have never been to the White Cloud Mountains myself but a friend of mine has on several occasions. I asked him about what type of trout were in the kettle lakes, Waler Frog and Ice Lake and he said mostly cutthroat trout. If you would be interested in the Sawtooth Mountains where I have been, I can tell you Boulder Lake has California golden trout, Moose Lake has brook trout and rainbows. A few miles away up the Lake Creek drainage Round Lake has artic grayling and Rough, Long, and Big Lakes have Cutthroat trout. Just over the hill from Big Lake is Golden Lake and is suppose to have California golden trout but I have never had much luck there.

If you are considering a trip to Idaho's high mountain lakes, make sure you go with someone, and that someone should be experienced in high mountain hiking and camping. Most trailheads (beginning trail and parking areas) don't open up until the 4th of July by Forest land policy due to snowdrifts and other reasons. Late July until mid August are best time to go as it is the "dry season" if you could call it that (lesser chance of precipitation in the form of rain, snow or hail). A few other precautions like warm clothes and rain gear, first aid kit and micro cooking gear are musts if more than a day hike. Buy a book on the subject at Sportsman's Warehouse for a great source of help. Good hiking and fishing! Oh, by the way how is your dad Kevin doing these days?

DeeCee [][]
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[dastud_1991]

haha hes doing fine i new you would give me some good input deecee
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[Westslopecutt]

I have hiked into Champion Lakes in the White Clouds. It was a long strenuous hike coming in from over the ridge behind the lakes, but well worth the price of admission. I caught several very nice Brookies, averaging 12-14 inches on both flies and lures. I didn't ever even try the lower lake because the fishing was so good in the upper lake, but reports are that there not only Brookies but some larger Rainbows in the lower lake as well. The area near those lakes burned a couple of years ago and I haven't been back since that fire happened so it might be worth checking it out on Google Earth to see if there are any trees left before planning any trips in there. You can actually park down below the lakes and come in on a trail that way as well. It's about 5-6 miles but not nearly as steep as coming from over the ridge. They actually just changed the regs for that area about 2 years ago so that you can take a 4 wheeler or motorcycle in there if you have one.

I've also fished Heart Lake in the 4th of July creek drainage of the White Clouds a couple of times. It's a steep hike but not real lengthy. The last time I went the trail wasn't being maintained so there was a lot of hopping over dead fall on the way in and out. The last time I fished Heart lake I couldn't get any fish to take any of the lures or flies I had but I saw some U boat sized Cutts cruising the shoreline. I've also fished Phyllis lake in that same 4th of July Creek drainage but didn't catch or see any fish in that lake. What was odd was that there was an otter living at that lake, and they do feed on fish so you have to believe it's got have some kind of food source available.

Best of luck with your hike in fishing this summer.
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