Big Hole Fishing near Aberdeen, Idaho

• Overview

  Out in Bingham County, Idaho, sits Big Hole. Country round the bank runs to dry rangeland. At about 157 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Supplies mean a trip to Aberdeen, 3.5 miles off. For a city, Salt Lake City is 158 miles off. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here. In wet weather the last stretch of track is the awkward part.

• Where to Fish on Big Hole

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Flats either side fish on the drop as bait is pushed off them. Oyster and old piling give the only hard structure in sight. Public occurrence data for Bingham County names rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brown trout, channel catfish and bluegill. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Fish Big Hole to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 68°F, the coldest about 23°F. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid March. In an average year the thaw lands around mid March and the freeze near early December. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It holds true on Big Hole more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. A made slipway is half a mile from here, which settles the boat question. Public data records a pier about half a mile out. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. For a change of water, Little Hole is 2.4 miles distant. Nothing here settles the position at Big Hole for certain.