Fishing at Rattlesnake Lake, Idaho County, Idaho

• Overview

  You will find Rattlesnake Lake in Idaho County, Idaho. Elevation runs to 7,303 feet. It covers about 6 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. Grangeville is the closest town at 56 miles. Hamilton is 64 miles away, with Salmon at 64 miles. Not far off: Sheep Spring Lake within 0.9 miles, Goat Lake lies 1.3 miles on, Center Creek Lakes within 1.7 miles, Lake Creek Lakes lies 1.9 miles on and Brown Lake within 2.2 miles. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Rattlesnake Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Survey and observation records for Idaho County include rainbow trout, Chinook salmon, cutthroat trout and bull trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. The shape of Rattlesnake Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 21°F and July at about 59°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid April in spring and again near late November in autumn. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Expect Rattlesnake Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. 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. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Sheep Spring Lake at 0.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Rules at Rattlesnake Lake are worth checking on the day.