Idaho Fish Report

The only ramp usable at Lost Creek Lake is the Takelma ramp operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers on the NW side of the lake. As conditions at area lakes and reservoirs continue to deteriorate due to low water levels, the Takelma ramp will continue to be a place where larger vessels can launch. However, there is no dock here. 

Trout fishing should be good. 5,000 legal trout and 2,300 larger trout near a pound each were stocked in mid-September. Early October saw the stocking of 15,000 sub-legal trout, which will over winter and be of catchable size by the spring.

Some trout that over summered will likely be laden with copepods. Recently stocked trout should not have much of a presence of copepods. This is due to fish congregating near cold water sources from the late summer. Copepods pose no threat to humans and can be scraped off the fish prior to cooking. Anglers are encouraged to harvest these fish to help lower copepod levels.

Spinners, wedding rings, and spoons all tipped with nightcrawlers do well up here when trolled. Dead drifting nightcrawlers with the wind under a bobber also do well. With surface temperatures cooling significantly over the last month, trout will again be dispersing throughout the lake. Bank fishing near the dam and tower, above Hwy 62 and along the Lost Creek Arm are good bets. 

Joseph Stuart Recreation Area is managed by Jackson County Parks. All loops except “Loop A” will close on Nov. 1. The boat ramp at the marina is closed due to low water. If you’re a frequent user of day use facilities here, a Jackson County Parks season pass is $40 and covers many other local Rogue Valley fishing destinations, as well. More information can be found on the Jackson County Parks website.

The lake is starting to fill and has come up 3 feet since the last update, it’s now at 15 percent full and an elevation of 1,776.1 ft. Surface temperature is a chilly 35 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Anglers can get the latest surface temperatures by calling the US Army Corps Lost Creek Lake and Applegate Reservoir projects information line at 1-800-472-2434.