11 of the Best Ice Fishing Lakes in Idaho

The great state of Idaho in the northwestern part of the U.S. is a land of spectacular scenery and bountiful natural resources. Its nickname is the Gem State for the vast amounts of valuable minerals that can be found within its borders, although Idaho is probably more closely associated with potatoes. The best ice fishing lakes in Idaho are:

Chesterfield Reservoir
Cocollala Lake

Daniels Reservoir
Fernan Lake
Henrys Lake

Horsethief Reservoir
Lake Cascade in Cascade Reservoir
Magic Reservoir

Ririe Reservoir
Upper Twin Lake
Lower Twin Lake

Idaho is also a land with many lakes. There are over 2,000 lakes in Idaho, of which more than 1,200 are named. All told Idaho’s lakes total more than 880 square miles, and during the winter months, many of them offer prime ice fishing. If you’re looking for a good spot to drop a line through the ice in the Gem State, these are the best ice fishing lakes in Idaho.

1. Chesterfield Reservoir

If you’re an ice fishing enthusiast and trout is your game, then Chesterfield Reservoir in the southeast corner of Idaho is the place for you. About a 4 ½ hour drive from Boise, Chesterfield Reservoir is a popular year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Here’s the lake at a glance:

Chesterfield Reservoir has a surface area of 1,246 acres.
It is located in Caribou County.
Public amenities include a public boat ramp, dock, campground, and restrooms.

Idaho is one of the most sparsely populated states in the U.S., so crowds are not typically an issue in the Gem State. Even by Idaho standards, Chesterfield Reservoir is a well-kept secret so don’t be surprised if it seems like you have the whole lake to yourself during ice fishing season.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Chesterfield Reservoir

Chesterfield Reservoir is known for its crystal-clear waters. It is also the perfect habitat for trout, most notably:

Brown trout

Cutthroat trout
Rainbow trout

This lake is regularly stocked with over 30,000 rainbows each year, including thousands in the catchable range of 12 to 14 inches. Local anglers prefer heading out to the ice in the mornings, working colorful jigs tipped with mealworms or waxworms.

2. Cocolalla Lake

The ten northernmost counties of Idaho form what is known as the state’s panhandle region for the way the territory narrows into the shape of a handle. It is here that you’ll find Cocolalla Lake, a gem of an ice fishing spot nestled in thick, undisturbed forestland.

Cocolalla is a modest-sized lake offering big-time hardwater angling action. Here’s how it measures up:

Cocolalla Lake has a surface area of 803 acres. In terms of size, this lake ranks 50^th among Idaho’s lakes and reservoirs.

It is located in Bonner County.
Cocolalla Lake is a multi-purpose recreational lake with a public boat ramp, dock, campground, and restrooms.

A popular staging area and access point for getting onto the ice is the north of the lake. Just take Cocolalla Loop Road off of Highway 95.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Cocolalla Lake

One of the features of Cocolalla Lake that makes it a popular choice among hardwater anglers is the variety of species that can be fished here. Fishable targets during ice season include:

Brook trout
Brown trout

Bullhead catfish
Catfish
Cutthroat trout

Largemouth bass
Rainbow trout
White crappie

Yellow perch

Catchable rainbows, cutthroats, and catfish are stocked at Cocolalla Lake every year, including specimens reaching 16 to 18 inches. Jigging with spoons and spinners is a good bet for getting strikes in these waters.

3. Daniels Reservoir

Daniels Reservoir is located in the high country of southeastern Idaho, about 4 ½ hours by car from Boise, Idaho’s state capital and largest city. It is a popular destination for boating and birdwatching. Local anglers know it as a premier spot for ice fishing. Here are some important details about this lake:

Daniels Reservoir has a surface area of 362 acres or about ½ of a square mile.
It is located in Oneida County.
Daniels Reservoir is a year-round lake with a public boat ramp, dock, campground, and restrooms.

Surrounded by peaks ranging from 8,000 to over 9,000 feet, Daniels Reservoir offers some of the most breathtaking views in the entire state, especially against a winter backdrop during ice fishing season.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Daniels Reservoir

Serious hardwater anglers and local ice fishing enthusiasts know Daniels Reservoir as a lake inhabited by trophy-sized trout. Daniels Reservoir is stocked every year with 20,000 rainbows and cutthroat trout are another big draw to this lake during ice fishing season.

To protect the native fish population, there are several local regulations you should know:

No trout under 20 inches long may be taken from Daniels Reservoir.
There is a daily limit of 2 legal-sized fish.
Each angler is allowed only 1 line.

Perhaps the most important (and frequently violated) rule to remember is that no bait may be used at Daniels Reservoir. This means you’ll be relying on artificial lures to catch your legal limits. And because undersized fish must be released, only barbless hooks are allowed to improve their survival rates.

4. Fernan Lake

Coeur d’Alene has a well-deserved reputation as an outdoor enthusiast’s playground. From hiking to camping to mountain biking, the list of activities that are offered in and around Coeur d’Alene is long and extensive. Even if you’re just taking in the beautiful scenery, there’s no place quite like Coeur d’Alene.

When it comes to ice fishing in these parts, however, the best action is not at massive Coeur d’Alene Lake as one would assume. Rather, savvy hardwater anglers know that it’s the next lake over, Fernan Lake, which is the go-to spot for ice fishing. Here’s what you need to know before visiting Fernan Lake:

With a surface area of 423 acres, Fernan Lake ranks as the 72^nd largest lake in Idaho.
It is located in Kootenai County.
Fernan Lake has a boat ramp, dock, and restrooms, but it does not have a campground so leave the camping gear and sleeping bag at home.

Fernan Lake is tiny compared to the nearly 28,000 acres covered by Coeur d’Alene Lake next door. But as seasoned anglers will tell you, the size of the lake means very little when it comes to good ice fishing. Especially if the lake in question is Fernan Lake.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Fernan Lake

Although Fernan Lake often gets overshadowed by the much larger and more popular Coeur d’Alene Lake next door, it is a familiar name among local anglers and people in the know. During the winter months, Fernan Lake comes alive with ice fishing activity.

One of the main reasons that Fernan Lake is so popular among hardwater anglers is the variety of fish species that can be fished here. Here is a sampling of the top targets:

Bluegill
Brook trout
Catfish

Largemouth bass
Pumpkinseed
Rainbow trout

Smallmouth bass
Sunfish
White crappie

Yellow perch

The shallow depths of Fernan Lake, especially near the shoreline, provide the perfect habitat for species like bluegill, crappie, and trout, which prefer water columns ranging from several feet to around 10 feet. Jigging with small, shiny spoons is a surefire way to get good strikes.

5. Henrys Lake

The state of Idaho is uniquely shaped with unusual features that define its borders. There is the long vertical panhandle that forms its northwestern territory but there is also a small, mitten-shaped on Idaho’s eastern side that juts out into the neighboring state of Montana.

It is here, nestled just a few miles from Montana and a short drive from West Yellowstone, that Henrys Lake draws in hardwater anglers from near and far. Here’s a snapshot of Henrys Lake:

With a surface area of 6,077 acres, Henrys Lake is Idaho’s 16^th largest lake.
It is located in Fremont County.

Henrys Lake is a visitor-friendly lake with a public boat ramp, dock, campground, and restrooms.

With natural splendor all around, Henrys Lake is a picture-perfect setting for enjoying the great outdoors. And if you’re looking for great ice fishing in eastern Idaho, look no further than Henrys Lake.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Henrys Lake

If you’re looking to target a variety of fish under the ice, then you may be better off heading to Cocolalla Lake or Fernan Lake. But if trout is your game and you find yourself in the Gem State during ice fishing season, head straight for Henrys Lake on the Idaho-Montana border. You won’t be disappointed.

Henrys Lake is one of Idaho’s top trout fisheries with upwards of a million fingerlings and frys planted in the lake every year. These are the trout species you can expect to find here:

Brook trout
Cutbow trout (a fertile hybrid between a cutthroat trout and rainbow trout)

Cutthroat trout

This lake is popular among hardwater trout anglers because the action at Henrys Lake is so good. Strikes are guaranteed and catch rates are very high. In other lakes, 18-inch specimens are rare but here at Henrys Lake, they are quite common. Try jigging with black and yellow lures tipped with worms.

If you decide to head out to Henrys Lake for some wintertime trout angling, there are a few local regulations you should keep in mind. First, there is a 2-fish daily limit per angler. Second, your daily catch must include at least one brookie.

6. Horsethief Reservoir

One of the unique things about Idaho from an ice fishing perspective is that there is good action to be found throughout the state, not just in the northern regions. A case in point is Horsethief Reservoir, which lies 60 miles from the Gem State’s border with Oregon and is one of the top spots in the state.

Here’s what to expect if you’re planning a visit:

Horsethief Reservoir measures a modest 259 acres in size, good enough to be the 95^th-largest lake in Idaho.

It is located in Valley County.
Horsethief Reservoir offers public amenities including a boat ramp, dock, and restroom. The local YMCA also runs a campsite at the southern end of the lake.

Just a two-hour drive from Boise, Horsethief Reservoir is proof positive that you don’t need to travel for hours and hours on end to some remote site to experience great ice fishing. Horsethief Reservoir offers world-class hardwater trout fishing and it’s an easy day trip from Idaho’s largest city.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Horsethief Reservoir

Despite being a smallish lake, Horsethief Reservoir sees quite a bit of activity come ice fishing season. This is because seasoned hardwater anglers know that the waters of Horsethief Reservoir hold healthy populations of popular ice fishing targets such as:

Brown trout
Kokanee

Rainbow trout

Horsethief Reservoir is owned by Idaho Fish & Game and is stocked every year with rainbows, brownies, and kokanee. The annual restocking includes catchable rainbows in the 12 to 14-inch range, many of which grow even larger. Jigging small spoons tipped with worms is a surefire way to get good strikes.

7. Lake Cascade (Cascade Reservoir)

Lying just to the west of Horsethief Reservoir is a true Idaho treasure. Lake Cascade (also known as Cascade Reservoir) is one of the best ice fishing lakes in the Gem State, if not the entire western United States. It is also one of the largest lakes in Idaho. Here’s a closer look at Lake Cascade:

Lake Cascade has a surface area covering an impressive 27,152 acres. This is equal to 42 square miles and makes Lake Cascade the 5^th-largest body of water in the state of Idaho.
It is located in Valley County.
As a popular tourist and recreational destination, Lake Cascade offers a host of public amenities, including a boat ramp, dock, restrooms, and a campground.

Lake Cascade is a year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Sprawling among thickly forested shores and nestled among majestic mountains, Lake Cascade has something special to offer no matter what season you visit. But during the winter months, this lake is transformed into a true winter wonderland.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Lake Cascade

Lake Cascade is massive by any measure but one of its features that makes it such a great ice fishing destination is that it is relatively shallow. With an average depth of just 27 feet, Lake Cascade provides an ideal habitat for the diverse population of fish that call it home.

Here is a sampling of the notable fish species you can target here:

Bluegill
Catfish
Coho salmon

Largemouth bass
Kokanee
Mountain whitefish

Pumpkinseed
Rainbow trout
Smallmouth bass

Sunfish
Yellow perch

Of all the species that can be fished from Lake Cascade during ice fishing season, one of the biggest draws is perch. With specimens typically reaching 5 to 16 inches, the perch in these waters are significantly larger than those found in regions known for ice fishing, like the Great Lakes.

If you’re planning to head out to Lake Cascade to give hardwater angling a go, be sure to pack bright, shiny jigs in your tackle box, along with some powerbait for tipping them. Having a few types of worms on hand won’t hurt either, just in case the fish are finicky.

8. Magic Reservoir

You would think that with a name like Magic Reservoir, the expectations of visiting anglers would be unrealistically high. But Magic Reservoir lives up to its name and doesn’t disappoint, especially when the weather turns frigid and ice fishing season sets in.

Located in the heart of southern Idaho, Magic Reservoir is 2 ½ hours from Boise by car and it lies about 90 miles north of the Nevada border. Here’s Magic Reservoir at a glance:

With a surface area of 3,580 acres, Magic Reservoir occupies 21^st place on the list of Idaho’s largest lakes and reservoirs.
It is split between Blaine and Camas Counties.
Magic Reservoir is a family-friendly site with a boat ramp, dock, restrooms, and a campground.

If you’re a beginner or have young anglers you’d like to introduce to ice fishing, Magic Reservoir is an ideal spot for you. It has many access points and a gently sloping basin. Add that to high catch rates and you have the perfect ingredients for a productive day on the ice regardless of skill level.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Magic Reservoir

Magic Reservoir is a major trout fishery in southern Idaho. Each year, the lake receives hundreds of thousands of rainbows, including catchable fish in the 12 to 14-inch range. In addition to rainbow trout, here’s what else you can expect to catch here:

Brown trout

Smallmouth bass
Yellow perch

If it’s your first time visiting Magic Reservoir, local anglers advise heading over to the area near the dam as there is good hardwater activity there. The part of the lake near the lower canyon is another hotspot at Magic Reservoir.

As an added plus, during ice fishing season each angler is allowed to have 5 devices. Whether you plan to use rods, tip-ups, or both, a great day of hardwater angling awaits you at Magic Reservoir.

9. Ririe Reservoir

Great ice fishing can be found all over the Gem State. On the eastern side of the state, Ririe Reservoir is a mid-sized lake offering some of the best hardwater action in Idaho. It lies 30 miles from Idaho’s border with Wyoming and is a 4 ½ hour drive from Boise.

Here are the highlights of Ririe Reservoir:

With a surface area of 1,415 acres, Ririe Reservoir ranks as the 35^th-largest lake in the state of Idaho.
It is located in Bonneville County.
Ririe Reservoir offers full public amenities including a boat ramp, dock, restrooms, and a campground.

Like so many lakes in Idaho, Ririe Reservoir is a major fishery. Annual stockings include lake trout, rainbow trout, tiger trout, and kokanee.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Ririe Reservoir

Ririe Reservoir is a lake held in high regard by ice anglers. There are half a dozen fish species that can be targeted here, including:

Kokanee

Lake trout
Rainbow trout
Smallmouth bass

Tiger trout
Yellow perch

The ice near the dam area is preferred by local anglers, particularly for trout and kokanee. Rainbow, lake, and tiger trout in the 12 to 14-inch range are common here. Jigs tipped with corn is a good setup here.

10. & 11. Upper Twin Lake and Lower Twin Lake

Less than 30 miles from the Oregon border in western Idaho lie Upper Twin Lake and Lower Twin Lake, two of the Gem State’s finest ice fishing lakes. Lying next to each other, these two lakes provide dynamic habitats for diverse fish populations. Here’s what to expect when visiting these lakes:

Upper Twin Lake has a surface area of 525 acres, making it the 59^th-largest lake in Idaho.
Lower Twin Lake is slightly smaller than its sister lake, with a surface area of 390 acres, good enough for the 81^st position among Idaho’s lakes and reservoirs.

Both lakes are located in Kootenai County.
Upper Twin Lake and Lower Twin Lake each offer a boat ramp, dock, and public restrooms. However, neither has a campsite.

Lying less than 1,000 feet from each other, Upper Twin Lake and Lower Twin Lake offer ice anglers the unique opportunity to fish two different lakes during the same outing.

What You Need to Know About Ice Fishing at Upper Twin Lake and Lower Twin Lake

Although they are in close proximity to each other, Upper Twin Lake and Lower Twin Lake offer different ice fishing experiences. These are the fish species you can expect to target at Upper Twin Lake:

Bluegill
Catfish

Crappie
Largemouth bass
Northern pike

Pumpkinseed
Sunfish
Yellow perch

At Lower Twin Lake, you can find the same variety of fish with the addition of kokanee and largemouth bass. Both lakes, being relatively small in size, reliably form good ice once winter hits in Idaho. If you’re looking for great ice fishing in the Gem State, these two lakes should be at the top of your list.

Conclusion

What are the ingredients for good ice fishing? You need favorable weather conditions, good ice, and active fish. Idaho has a number of lakes that check all of these boxes. If you’re planning to visit the Gem State and want to see if the fish are biting under the ice, give these ice fishing lakes a try.

SOURCES:

https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/fishingplanner/water/1119715429000

http://www.anglerguide.com/Idaho/index.cfm?TR_ID=18

https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/fishingplanner/water/1166164481272

https://idfg.idaho.gov/blog/2019/07/highlighting-diverse-fishing-opportunity-cocolalla-lake

https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/fishingplanner/water/1124478423573

https://lunaseasports.com/why-do-some-lakes-only-allow-artificial-fishing-lures/

https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/fishingplanner/water/1167252476744

https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/fishingplanner/water/1114065446388

http://www.anglerguide.com/Idaho/index.cfm?TR_ID=28

https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/fishingplanner/water/1159143445131

http://www.anglerguide.com/Idaho/index.cfm?TR_ID=30