Fishing at Smith Lake, Boundary County, Idaho

• Overview

  Idaho holds Smith Lake, in Boundary County. Height above sea level is 6,378 feet. At roughly 3 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is a small entry by Boundary County standards. The closest town, Bonners Ferry, is 19 miles away. Then Creston, 19 miles, and Salmo, 37 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Smith Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Reported across Boundary County: rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout, Arctic grayling and mountain whitefish. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Smith Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August near 57°F and January near 19°F on the long-run figures. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late April. On average, late April opens the water and mid November closes it again. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Time your trip to Smith Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Should this one be busy, Cutoff Lake is 0.8 miles off. Rules at Smith Lake are worth checking on the day.