McArthur Lake in Boundary County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  McArthur Lake is one of the Boundary County listings for Idaho. The surface lies 2,083 feet up. With some 135 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Around 4.3 miles of bank, which is a long day on foot. Nothing else we list in Boundary County covers more water. For supplies, Bonners Ferry is 14 miles out. The nearest city of size is Spokane, 75 miles away. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on McArthur Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Species logged across Boundary County include rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and brook trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Fish McArthur Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 25°F in January up to 64°F in July. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. On McArthur Lake the same rules apply, with local timing. Wind direction matters more than wind strength.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try Bloom Lake, 1.7 miles away. Ask locally about McArthur Lake if anything is unclear.