Upper Twin Lake Fishing in Idaho County, Idaho

• Overview

  Upper Twin Lake lies within the bounds of Idaho County, Idaho. The setting is rolling bush on every side. It runs to roughly 25 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. Few waters listed in Idaho County are bigger. Start from Hamilton, 17 miles down the road. Then Stevensville, 31 miles, and Lolo, 46 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Upper Twin Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Fish documented in Idaho County include rainbow trout, Chinook salmon and cutthroat trout. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Anyone new to Upper Twin Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put August at about 56°F and December near 18°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early May. Break-up near early May, freeze-up near mid November: that is the shape of an average year. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Upper Twin Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. There is a launch about half a mile from the bank. Public data has parking about half a mile from the shore. Overnight stays are possible about half a mile out, where camping is mapped. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Mud Lake is 0.4 miles distant. Nothing on Upper Twin Lake should be assumed from this page alone.