Fishing Saint Joe Lake in Shoshone County, Idaho

• Overview

  Saint Joe Lake is one of the Shoshone County listings for Idaho. The surroundings are lake country bush. About 19 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Size puts it in the front rank of our Shoshone County list. Supplies mean a trip to Plains, 32 miles off. After that come Frenchtown at 40 miles and Thompson Falls at 42 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Saint Joe Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Shoshone County records list rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Arctic grayling among the fish reported. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. At Saint Joe Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 20°F to 57°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Count the season from break-up, usually late April. In an average year the thaw lands around late April and the freeze near mid November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Plan around that when you fish Saint Joe Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Trail Lake, 2 miles out. Check the position on Saint Joe Lake before loading the car.