Bleak Creek Lake in Idaho County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  You will find Bleak Creek Lake in Idaho County, Idaho. Lake country bush runs right down to the water. Small even by pond standards, it rewards one careful line. It is a small entry by Idaho County standards. The nearest town is Grangeville, 56 miles away. The nearest city of size is Boise, 152 miles away. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Bleak Creek Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Survey and observation records for Idaho County include rainbow trout, Chinook salmon, cutthroat trout and bull trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Bleak Creek Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 53°F, the coldest about 18°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. The lid usually goes in mid May, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Break-up near mid May, freeze-up near mid November: that is the shape of an average year. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Plan around that when you fish Bleak Creek Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. The nearest alternative is Spread Point Lake, 0.9 miles out. Confirm access to Bleak Creek Lake locally before you travel.