Smith Lake fishing

Smith Lake fishing is stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Arctic Grayling, and Golden Trout on a high alpine lake. It is stocked about 0.4 times a year since 1975, most often in August and September. Species guides list dawn and dusk as the active times.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake

Last stocked: September 24, 2024; Sep 24 · Golden Trout
Plants on record: 21; Since 1975
Species recorded: 3
Average size: 1.5 in
Surface acres: 4.3
Elevation: 6,352 ft

Fish at Smith Lake

3 stocked · 0 confirmed present

Golden Trout Stocked · 13 plants · last September 24, 2024 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked September 24, 2024 · avg 1.5 in · 13 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Golden Trout species guide

Arctic Grayling Stocked · 7 plants · last August 13, 1999

Last stocked August 13, 1999 · avg 1.5 in · 7 plants

Arctic Grayling species guide

Cutthroat Trout Stocked · 1 plant · last September 7, 1975

Last stocked September 7, 1975 · avg 1.5 in · 1 plant

Cutthroat Trout species guide

How Smith Lake is stocked

Source: Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

No plants recorded in 29 years between 1975 and 2024.

Fish stocked in 1975

3,605

Fish stocked in 1987

2,000

Fish stocked in 1990

3,000

Fish stocked in 1991

1,000

Fish stocked in 1992

399

Fish stocked in 1993

704

Fish stocked in 1995

3,000

Fish stocked in 1999

1,500

Fish stocked in 2000

2,508

Fish stocked in 2002

2,500

Fish stocked in 2004

2,500

Fish stocked in 2006

2,500

Fish stocked in 2008

2,500

Fish stocked in 2011

900

Fish stocked in 2012

2,321

Fish stocked in 2014

2,800

Fish stocked in 2016

2,300

Fish stocked in 2018

2,300

Fish stocked in 2020

2,300

Fish stocked in 2022

2,300

Fish stocked in 2024

2,479

Stocking history

All species Cutthroat Trout Arctic Grayling Golden Trout

Source: Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
Date	Species	Quantity	Avg. length	Source
September 24, 2024	Golden Trout	2,479	1.5 in	report
August 17, 2022	Golden Trout	2,300	1.5 in	report
October 5, 2020	Golden Trout	2,300	1.5 in	report
September 4, 2018	Golden Trout	2,300	1.5 in	report
August 25, 2016	Golden Trout	2,300	1.5 in	report
September 5, 2014	Golden Trout	2,800	1.5 in	report
September 5, 2012	Golden Trout	2,321	1.5 in	report
September 21, 2011	Golden Trout	900	1.5 in	report
August 14, 2008	Golden Trout	2,500	1.5 in	report
September 11, 2006	Golden Trout	2,500	1.5 in	report
September 25, 2004	Golden Trout	2,500	1.5 in	report
September 15, 2002	Golden Trout	2,500	1.5 in	report
September 14, 2000	Golden Trout	2,508	1.5 in	report
August 13, 1999	Arctic Grayling	1,500	1.5 in	report
August 22, 1995	Arctic Grayling	3,000	1.5 in	report
September 10, 1993	Arctic Grayling	704	1.5 in	report
September 22, 1992	Arctic Grayling	399	1.5 in	report
September 25, 1991	Arctic Grayling	1,000	1.5 in	report
September 1, 1990	Arctic Grayling	3,000	1.5 in	report
August 19, 1987	Arctic Grayling	2,000	1.5 in	report
September 7, 1975	Cutthroat Trout	3,605	1.5 in	report

Access and facts

Water type: high alpine
Nearest town: Bonners Ferry, ID
Facilities: camping

Backcountry lake off Long Canyon Trail 16 in the Selkirks' largest roadless drainage. Trailhead: Westside Rd (Road 417), 3/4 mile north of the Long Canyon Creek bridge, via Copeland north of Bonners Ferry. The trail fords Canyon Creek with no bridge; big campsite near the lake's outlet at 12 miles.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

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Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Idaho Department of Fish and Game before you go.

Nearest lakes

Mirror Lake 47.5 mi last stocked May 11, 2026 Cocolalla Lake 49.5 mi last stocked August 12, 2026 Antelope Lake 54.3 mi last stocked September 8, 2026 Granite Lake 57.9 mi last stocked April 21, 2026 Lower Twin Lake 67.2 mi last stocked May 27, 2026

Public land at Smith Lake

Smith Lake is inside Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.

Common questions

What fish are at Smith Lake?

Fishing Smith Lake usually means Golden Trout: Golden Trout accounts for 13 of 21 plants on record, ahead of Arctic Grayling and one more. Golden Trout was last stocked September 24, 2024, averaging 1.5 in. Arctic Grayling was last stocked August 13, 1999, averaging 1.5 in. Cutthroat Trout was last stocked September 7, 1975, averaging 1.5 in.

When is Smith Lake stocked?

Last stocked September 24, 2024. It is stocked about 0.4 times a year since 1975, most often in August and September. No plants recorded in 29 years between 1975 and 2024.

How big are the fish stocked at Smith Lake?

Stocked fish average 1.5 in. Golden Trout average 1.5 in. Arctic Grayling average 1.5 in. Cutthroat Trout average 1.5 in.

How do you get on Smith Lake?

The nearest town is Bonners Ferry, ID. Facilities include camping. Backcountry lake off Long Canyon Trail 16 in the Selkirks' largest roadless drainage. Trailhead: Westside Rd (Road 417), 3/4 mile north of the Long Canyon Creek bridge, via Copeland north of Bonners Ferry. The trail fords Canyon Creek with no bridge; big campsite near the lake's outlet at 12 miles.

Which lakes near Smith Lake were stocked more recently?

Mirror Lake (47.5 mi), Cocolalla Lake (49.5 mi), Antelope Lake (54.3 mi), Granite Lake (57.9 mi), and Lower Twin Lake (67.2 mi) were stocked more recently. Mirror Lake is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Cocolalla Lake is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Antelope Lake is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout and Arctic Grayling, Granite Lake is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout, and Lower Twin Lake is also stocked with Cutthroat Trout.

Sources (2) +