Boston Mountain Lake in Idaho County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Idaho County end of Idaho holds Boston Mountain Lake. It lies 6,972 feet above sea level. A splashy cast here empties the swim; a quiet one owns it. Our Idaho County list holds plenty of bigger water. Grangeville lies 49 miles from the water. Beyond it, Kamiah at 57 miles and Hamilton at 64 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Boston Mountain Lake

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. County-wide records name rainbow trout, Chinook salmon, cutthroat trout, bull trout and brook trout. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Boston Mountain Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 20°F in December up to 56°F in July. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late April. Ice usually gives way near late April, and forms again about mid November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Boston Mountain Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Goat Lake, 5.3 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Rules at Boston Mountain Lake are worth checking on the day.