Smith Lake fishing

Fishing at Smith Lake is on a high alpine lake, stocked with Cutthroat Trout, Arctic Grayling, and Golden Trout. 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.

Last stocked

September 24, 2024

Plants on record

21

Since 1975

Species recorded

3

Average size

1.5 in

Surface acres

4.3

Elevation

6,352 ft

Access and facts

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

Reached via the ~35-mile Long Canyon Trail (Trail 16) backcountry loop in Kaniksu National Forest, no road to the lake. Trailhead is off Westside Road via the Copeland turnoff about 15 miles north of Bonners Ferry on US-95. A large campsite sits near the outlet creek about 12 miles in.

Sources: water_type , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , fishing_notes , angler_notes

View larger map ยท Open on Google Maps

How Smith Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of September. In 2024 it was September 24, 2024, later than usual.

No plants recorded in 29 years between 1975 and 2024.

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.

Fish at Smith Lake

Fishing Smith Lake is most likely to be for Golden Trout. Golden Trout accounts for 13 of 21 plants on record, ahead of Arctic Grayling and one more.

Golden Trout 13 plants
Plants
13 of 21
Last stocked
September 24, 2024
Average length
1.5 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Golden Trout guide.

Arctic Grayling 7 plants
Plants
7 of 21
Last stocked
August 13, 1999
Average length
1.5 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Arctic Grayling guide.

Cutthroat Trout 1 plant
Plants
1 of 21
Last stocked
September 7, 1975
Average length
1.5 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Cutthroat Trout guide.

Fishing Smith Lake

Jimmy Smith Lake, an alpine lake in Custer County, Idaho, is stocked with rainbow trout. This makes it a popular year-round fishing destination.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

What anglers say

According to Wikipedia, Jimmy Smith Lake is a popular year-round fishing destination for locals.

Fish stocked per year

  • 3,6051975
  • 2,0001987
  • 3,0001990
  • 1,0001991
  • 3991992
  • 7041993
  • 3,0001995
  • 1,5001999
  • 2,5082000
  • 2,5002002
  • 2,5002004
  • 2,5002006
  • 2,5002008
  • 9002011
  • 2,3212012
  • 2,8002014
  • 2,3002016
  • 2,3002018
  • 2,3002020
  • 2,3002022
  • 2,4792024

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 21 plants Showing 21 plants

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
Show 6 more plants Show less

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes