Fishing Pats Lake in Boise County, Idaho

• Overview

  Pats Lake sits in Boise County, out in Idaho. Height above sea level is 8,320 feet. Small at around 9 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Nearest town is Ketchum, 43 miles off. Sun Valley is 43 miles away, with Hailey at 51 miles. Not far off: Arrowhead Lake a shade over 0.4 miles, Azure Lake within 0.6 miles, Rock Island Lake a shade over 1.1 miles, The Hole within 1.7 miles and Glacier Lake a shade over 2 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Pats Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. County-wide records name cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, california golden trout and Arctic grayling. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Fish Pats Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 17°F in December to roughly 53°F in July. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late May. The season between ice runs from about late May to mid November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. It sets the rhythm of the year at Pats Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Nothing formal is recorded here: no ramp, no car park, no marked path. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Arrowhead Lake at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position on Pats Lake before loading the car.