Forster Reservoir, Idaho: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Forster Reservoir is an Owyhee County water, in Idaho. Land around it is rolling hill. Around 45 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The whole outline is near 1.6 miles, and most of it is walkable. The closest town, Marsing, is 64 miles away. Kuna is 67 miles away, with Nampa at 67 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Forster Reservoir

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Reported across Owyhee County: rainbow trout, great basin cutthroat trout, smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Forster Reservoir that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 69°F, the coldest about 27°F. Conditions shift steadily rather than sharply. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. On Forster Reservoir the same rules apply, with local timing. Water temperature lags behind air temperature by days, not hours.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. If the gate is shut, Dougal Reservoir at 2.3 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Forster Reservoir before loading the car.