Looking for good camping / fishing for scout troop near Boise

[hpconley]

I'm sure no one is looking to give away their secret spot for a troop of 8 12-13 yr olds to go fishing at, but how about a place where we can camp near a lake or stream and get into some fish fairly easily with beginner fisherman? It will be primarily bait fishing.

If we can stay within an hour or two from Boise, that would be best. Would Sagehen be a good idea?

I'm looking at early October. Also considered Boulder lake as there is the hike up to the upper Boulder they'd enjoy. Basicall, we're looking to setup camp and hang out for 2 nights in early October and catch some fish.

Any ideas are welcome. Thanks in advance!
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[StacyR]

How developed are you looking for? Like at a campground, or out in the woods?
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[BorntoFish01]

Cascade Lake might be a good bet for October. At that time of the year there's a strain of large spawning rainbow trout that cruise the shoreline. Fish off the beaches above and below the City Boat Ramp. Presence of bank anglers provides a clue where the action might be that day. Nice lakeside campgrounds available. Also good chance to catch some nice sized perch. For trout use worms and powerbait or marshmellows fished on the bottom. Should also work for the perch. The rocky shoreline at Crown point is a traditional spot for perch and bass and there's a nice campground nearby.
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[eagleflyfshr]

First, October is getting a little iffy for any camping/fishing in mountain lakes/rivers near Boise. Snow can fly a little early and it can get well below freezing at night.

One of the best little bait fishing lakes close to Boise is Horsethief. I've taken beginner fisherman there with great success using marshmallow and worm setups catching both rainbow and browns off the bank at the south end of the lake.

It has been a few years since I have been into Boulder, but fly fishing off the rocks on the west end produced some nice cutthroats at the time. It is a pleasant hike on a cool day and has decent rustic camp sites - just check the regs on bait fishing and check for snow levels in October might be kind of cool- you risk being snowed upon. A little earlier in the season - September at the latest, you can take a great 2 day loop hike, the Louie - Boulder Lake loop.

I have always float tubed/pontoon boated Sage Hen and its a great place for that, don't know about bank fishing with bait. Camping is great earlier in the year. By October, however, they are usually drawing down the reservoir and muddy banks can be a real problem, which almost precludes fishing off the bank at the lake, and by October, camp sites may be closed - I think they are only open through the end of September.

I would look real close look at Horsethief - might want to take a trip and look over the camping possibilities there before you go, I've not camped it, but I think it presents your greatest chance of bank/bait fishing success for the boys.

Other options: North Fork of the Boise river, Bruneau lake, Brownlee Reservoir - fish for cats or trout off the shore, depending upon temperatures, there are probably several other options. These are just one's off the top of my head. Just remember - in October, check the weather and check the regs on bait fishing.
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[hpconley]

Thanks for the many ideas so far. We do hit Horsethief a few times a year and it's a great place for the boys. We tried ice fishing there this year and the boys made a snow shelter and slept in it...so we're not afraid of some bad weather. As the Russian proverb goes, "there is no bad weather, only bad clothing." We'll be watching the weather closely.

Cascade lake isn't a bad idea and there is a lot to do up there. I've not fished Brownlee, but I hear good things about it. For Sagehen - that was my worry - if we could fish from the bank or not. I didn't think about the low water there in the fall, so yeah, that wouldn't be good for bank fishing I think.

As far as campgrounds go - we can go primitive or developed...either way. We're pretty good at "leave no trace" and living up to the "outdoor code."

Thanks for the help. If you get any other ideas - please post them.
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