Oregon Butte Lake in Idaho County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Out in Idaho County, Idaho, sits Oregon Butte Lake. The ground around here is rolling bush. At 7 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Nearest town is Grangeville, 35 miles off. McCall is 47 miles and Kamiah 51 miles. Alternatives close at hand: Round Lake near enough 1.1 miles, Fawn Lake at 1.7 miles, Deer Lake near enough 1.7 miles, Brandon Lakes at 2.5 miles and Ruby Lake near enough 3 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Oregon Butte Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Idaho County include rainbow trout, Chinook salmon, cutthroat trout and bull trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Oregon Butte Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 53°F, with December the cold end at about 18°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid May. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid May in spring and again near mid November in autumn. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. That is the shape of the year on Oregon Butte Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Failing this one, try Round Lake, 1.1 miles away. Rules at Oregon Butte Lake are worth checking on the day.