Square Lake, Idaho: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Out in Idaho County, Idaho, sits Square Lake. What surrounds it is rolling bush. At 6 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Some 33 miles away sits Grangeville, the nearest settlement. Kamiah follows at 47 miles, then McCall at 53 miles. Close neighbours run: Fish Lake 1.1 miles, Crescent Lake at 1.1 miles, Bear Lake 1.8 miles, Ruby Lake at 2.3 miles and Crystal Lake 3 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Square Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Across Idaho County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, Chinook salmon and cutthroat trout. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Take Square Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 52°F; by December the average is down near 18°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Look for the thaw near mid May; the fishing lifts straight after. Expect the water usable from around mid May until roughly mid November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. On Square Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. If the gate is shut, Fish Lake at 1.1 miles is the nearest alternative. Signs at Square Lake carry more weight than any list.