Redfish Lake

Overview

Redfish Lake lies at 6,547 feet at the foot of the Sawtooth Range in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, a few miles south of Stanley. IDFG lists it at 1,505 acres in Custer County, draining north through Redfish Lake Creek to the Salmon River, and the water is more than 300 feet deep and cold all summer. The lake is named for the sockeye salmon that once colored its shallows red each fall after a journey of more than 900 miles from the Pacific and a climb of more than 6,500 feet. That run nearly ended: Snake River sockeye were listed as endangered in 1991, and in 1992 a single male, nicknamed Lonesome Larry, was the only adult to return. A captive broodstock program built from 16 adults taken into captivity between 1991 and 1998 kept the lineage alive, and hatchery-origin adults are again spawning in the lake. Sockeye remain fully protected; you may not fish for them, and any you see should be reported to IDFG. The fishery you can actually pursue is kokanee, the landlocked form of the same species, which IDFG lists with bull trout as the lake's recommended game fish, along with stocked rainbows near the inlet, outlet and lodge docks. Kokanee fish best from June through September, mostly by trolling, before they turn red and run up the inlet creek in fall. Bull trout are native, present and must be released immediately. Ice usually leaves in late May, and the lodge rents boats and kayaks.