Northbound Lake Fishing Guide, Clearwater County, Idaho

• Overview

  Look for Northbound Lake in Clearwater County, Idaho. The ground round it is lake country bush. About 12 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Some 44 miles away sits Osburn, the nearest settlement. Orofino follows at 45 miles, then Thompson Falls at 47 miles. Other water nearby: Heart Lake out at 0.7 miles, Crag Lake at 1.2 miles, Skyland Lake out at 1.8 miles, Gnat Lake at 2 miles and Larkins Lake out at 2.1 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Northbound Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Species logged across Clearwater County include rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Chinook salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Take Northbound Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 58°F in August and bottom out at 22°F in January. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid April. Expect the water usable from around mid April until roughly late November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Time your trip to Northbound Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Should this one be busy, Heart Lake is 0.7 miles off. Nothing here settles the position at Northbound Lake for certain.