Soulen Reservoir, Idaho: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Soulen Reservoir in the Payette County part of Idaho. The surface lies 3,468 feet up. It measures about 91 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The whole outline is near 3.1 miles, and most of it is walkable. It lies lower than most water we list in Idaho. Some 19 miles away sits Weiser, the nearest settlement. Boise is the closest city, 48 miles away. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Soulen Reservoir

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Records held for Payette County cover rainbow trout, bluegill and largemouth bass. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Read Soulen Reservoir before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 70°F, while January sits near 24°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. The lid usually goes in mid March, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Climate figures give an open season running mid March to mid December. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. On Soulen Reservoir that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Paddock Valley Reservoir is 1.9 miles off. Rules at Soulen Reservoir are worth checking on the day.