Oregon Lakes, Idaho: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Oregon Lakes lies in Shoshone County, in Idaho. The ground round it is lake country bush. The water covers some 26 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. It ranks high for size among our Shoshone County listings. Some 30 miles away sits Plains, the nearest settlement. Thompson Falls lies 39 miles off, Frenchtown another 41 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Oregon Lakes

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. County-wide records name rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, Arctic grayling, brook trout and brown trout. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. The near bank of Oregon Lakes is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put August at about 56°F and January near 20°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early May. From about early May to around mid November, expect open water on the long-run figures. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Plan any trip to Oregon Lakes around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Missoula Lake sits 1.3 miles off and takes the overflow. For Oregon Lakes, the notice at the access point is the final word.