Fishing in Blaine County, Idaho
County seat: Hailey. Population 24,272.
- 14lake pages
- 8launch sites
- 13river pages
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Reservoirs, creeks and launches of Blaine County at a glance
Blaine County keeps its courthouse in Hailey, and the 2020 Census put 24,272 people inside the county. The IDFG Fishing Planner files 56% of the county's listed waters under the IDFG Magic Valley Region; drainage lines, not the county line, decide the rest. The Planner also lists 20 high mountain lakes here, most reached by trail.
Lake guides cover 14 waters totalling 14,870 acres; Lake Walcott is the biggest. Ocean-run fish show up on the game fish lists of Salmon River. Agency maps show 8 launch sites (4 IDFG, 3 Forest Service and 1 BLM). IDFG maps 5 walk-in access sites for anglers on foot.
Census 2020 population and county seat; IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner (list of Idaho waters), read November 7, 2026. IDFG Fishing and Boating Access Sites layer (ArcGIS service), read November 7, 2026.
For the salmon herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 A map of Blaine County launches and lake points
IDFG Fishing and Boating Access Sites, BLM and Forest Service launch points, Fishing Planner lake points (outlet) and stream midpoints. Checked November 2026.
Blaine County lakes and reservoirs with their own page
| Lake | Acres | Launches | Kind | Game fish IDFG names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Walcott | 8,248 | 1 | lake | bluegill and sunfish, largemouth bass, yellow perch |
| Magic Reservoir | 3,580 | 3 | reservoir | yellow perch, brown trout, smallmouth bass |
| Alturas Lake | 836 | 1 | lake | kokanee, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout |
| Little Wood Reservoir | 524 | 0 | reservoir | brook trout, rainbow trout, bridgelip sucker |
| Carey Lake | 517 | 1 | lake | bluegill and sunfish, bullhead, largemouth bass |
| Pettit Lake | 400 | 0 | lake | kokanee, cutthroat trout, brook trout |
| Fish Creek Reservoir | 350 | 0 | reservoir | brook trout, rainbow trout, bridgelip sucker |
| Campbell Reservoir | 105 | 0 | reservoir | |
| Antelope Lake (Blaine County) | 72 | 0 | lake | |
| Alice Lake | 71 | 0 | high mountain lake | |
| Lava Lake | 52 | 0 | lake | rainbow trout |
| Perkins Lake (Blaine County) | 50 | 1 | lake | brook trout, rainbow trout, bull trout |
| Huff Lake | 35 | 0 | lake | |
| Cameron Reservoir | 29 | 0 | reservoir |
Surface acres as listed in the IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner, read November 7, 2026. Game fish are the Planner’s recommended species; IDFG prints no lake depths there.
Which fish the Planner ties to water near Blaine County
Out to 50 miles from Hailey, rainbow trout turns up on the most lake pages.
IDFG Fishing Planner recommended game fish and stocking rows, counted per lake page within 50 miles; not a creel survey.
More named Blaine County lakes on the Planner list
Another 59 named lakes in Blaine County have too few published facts for a page and are listed here by size.
| Water | Acres | Kind | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howard Reservoir | 25 | reservoir | Bellevue |
| Mill Lake | 16 | high mountain lake | Ketchum |
| Miner Lake | 16 | high mountain lake | Ketchum |
| Mud Lake (Blaine County) | 14 | lake | Bellevue |
| Sullivan Lake | 12 | lake | Bellevue |
| Big Lost Lake | 9 | high mountain lake | Ketchum |
| Baker Lake | 9 | high mountain lake | Ketchum |
| Prairie Lakes | 8 | high mountain lake | Ketchum |
| Windy Lake | 6 | high mountain lake | Sun Valley |
| Tapper Lake | 6 | lake | Bellevue |
| Quigley Pond | 6 | lake | Hailey |
| Upper Norton Lake | 5 | high mountain lake | Ketchum |
| Window Lake | 5 | high mountain lake | Ketchum |
| Hyndman Lake | 5 | high mountain lake | Sun Valley |
| Lower Box Canyon Lake | 5 | high mountain lake | Sun Valley |
| Zada Reservoir | 4 | reservoir | Bellevue |
| South Lake | 4 | lake | Aberdeen |
| Student Lake | 4 | lake | Aberdeen |
| Lower Norton Lake | 4 | high mountain lake | Ketchum |
| Indian Lake (Blaine County) | 3 | lake | Aberdeen |
| Silver Lake | 3 | high mountain lake | Ketchum |
| Wheatly Pond | 3 | lake | Bellevue |
| Rock Lake | 3 | lake | Aberdeen |
| Upper Box Canyon Lake | 3 | high mountain lake | Sun Valley |
| Titus Lake | 2 | high mountain lake | Ketchum |
| Amber lakes | 2 | high mountain lake | Ketchum |
| Lower Lake Creek Lake | 2 | lake | Sun Valley |
| Little Lost Lake | 2 | high mountain lake | Ketchum |
| Wild horse Lake | 2 | lake | Aberdeen |
| Boulder Lakes | 1 | high mountain lake | Ketchum |
| Gavers Lagoon | 1 | lake | Bellevue |
| Hidden Lake (Blaine County) | 1 | high mountain lake | Ketchum |
| Wildhorse Lake | 1 | lake | Bellevue |
| Dollar Lake | 1 | lake | Ketchum |
| Penny Lake | 1 | lake | Ketchum |
| District Boundary Lake | 1 | lake | Aberdeen |
| Governors Punchbowl | 1 | high mountain lake | Ketchum |
| Spencer Lake | 1 | lake | Bellevue |
| Blowout Reservoir | 0 | reservoir | Bellevue |
| Heagle Park Pond | 0 | lake | Hailey |
| Sand Lake Reservoir | 0 | reservoir | Aberdeen |
| Sonners Reservoir | 0 | reservoir | Bellevue |
| Two Bottom Lake | 0 | lake | Bellevue |
| Upper Lake Creek Lake | 0 | lake | Sun Valley |
| Binder Lake | 0 | lake | Aberdeen |
| Deadhorse Reservoir | 0 | reservoir | Aberdeen |
| Snowdrift Reservoir | 0 | reservoir | Bellevue |
| Bullshot Reservoir | 0 | reservoir | Bellevue |
| Crossroad Lake | 0 | lake | Rupert |
| Erwin Reservoir | 0 | reservoir | Bellevue |
| Gentle Horse Lake | 0 | lake | Aberdeen |
| North Pole Lake | 0 | lake | Bellevue |
| Section Eight Reservoir | 0 | reservoir | Rupert |
| King Lakes | 0 | lake | Aberdeen |
| Notch Lake | 0 | lake | Rupert |
| Split Butte Lake | 0 | lake | Rupert |
| Bowl Reservoir | 0 | reservoir | Bellevue |
| North Blowout Reservoir | 0 | reservoir | Bellevue |
| Packsaddle Lake | 0 | lake | Aberdeen |
Alpine lakes make up 20 of these. Idaho high mountain lakes
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner (list of Idaho waters), read November 7, 2026.
Rivers and trout creeks of Blaine County
- Baker CreekIDFG recommended water, 1 launch, 11.4 mi Planner length
- Salmon RiverIDFG recommended water, steelhead or salmon listed, 4 USGS gauges, 425.3 mi Planner length
- Big Wood RiverIDFG recommended water, 7 USGS gauges, 137 mi Planner length
- Little Wood RiverIDFG recommended water, 2 USGS gauges, 130 mi Planner length
- Camas Creek (Blaine County)IDFG recommended water, 1 USGS gauge, 66.9 mi Planner length
- Silver CreekIDFG recommended water, 1 USGS gauge, 25.7 mi Planner length
- East Fork Wood RiverIDFG recommended water, 19.4 mi Planner length
- North Fork Big Wood RiverIDFG recommended water, 11.3 mi Planner length
- Stalker CreekIDFG recommended water, 5.4 mi Planner length
- Loving CreekIDFG recommended water, 4.8 mi Planner length
- Grove CreekIDFG recommended water, 4.6 mi Planner length
- Snake River1 launch, 14 USGS gauges
- Trail Creek (Blaine County)2 USGS gauges, 21.8 mi Planner length
Blaine County creeks the Planner names, listed here only (317)
- Fish Creek31.2 mi
- Warm Springs Creek23.8 mi
- Muldoon Creek18.9 mi
- Alturas Lake Creek18.5 mi
- Deer Creek18.5 mi
- Camp Creek14.9 mi
- Croy Creek13.5 mi
- Rock Creek12.9 mi
- Dry Creek12.7 mi
- Little Fish Creek12.3 mi
- Richfield Canal12.3 mi
- Pole Creek12.1 mi
- Friedman Creek12 mi
- West Canal11.5 mi
- Smiley Creek11.4 mi
- Hyndman Creek11.1 mi
- Baugh Creek10.8 mi
- South Fork Muldoon Creek9.6 mi
- Beaver Creek9.5 mi
- High Line Canal9.2 mi
- Huff Creek9 mi
- Poison Creek8.8 mi
- West Fork Fish Creek8.8 mi
- Pettit Lake Creek8.1 mi
- Seamans Creek8.1 mi
- Corral Creek7.9 mi
- Greenhorn Creek7.9 mi
- Porcupine Creek7.9 mi
- East Fork Fish Creek7.7 mi
- Quigley Creek7.7 mi
- Frenchman Creek7.6 mi
- Slaughterhouse Creek7.6 mi
- Willow Creek7.6 mi
- Cove Creek7.5 mi
- Indian Creek7.5 mi
- Road Canyon7.3 mi
- Prairie Creek7.2 mi
- Hiawatha Canal7.1 mi
- Cove Canal7 mi
- Castle Creek6.8 mi
- Copper Creek6.8 mi
- Adams Gulch6.7 mi
- Trail Creek (Blaine County)6.7 mi
- Ohio Gulch6.5 mi
- Box Canyon6.4 mi
- Fox Creek6.4 mi
- Wilson Creek6.3 mi
- Copper Creek6.2 mi
- Eagle Creek6.2 mi
- Boulder Creek6 mi
- Hailey Creek6 mi
- Thompson Creek6 mi
- Alpine Creek5.8 mi
- Brown Creek5.8 mi
- Rooks Creek5.8 mi
- Unnamed Stream5.8 mi
- Cold Spring Creek5.7 mi
- Thompson Creek5.7 mi
- Wolftone Creek5.6 mi
- Iron Mine Creek5.5 mi
- Lake Creek5.5 mi
- North Fork Hyndman Creek5.5 mi
- Murdock Creek5.4 mi
- Slide Canyon5.4 mi
- Oregon Gulch5.3 mi
- Tolmie Creek5.3 mi
- Brush Creek5.1 mi
- East Fork North Fork Big Wood River5.1 mi
- High Five Creek5.1 mi
- Fisher Canyon5 mi
- Mahoney Creek5 mi
- Spring Creek (Blaine County)5 mi
- Cove Creek4.9 mi
- Silver Creek4.9 mi
- Cabin Creek4.8 mi
- Guy Canyon4.8 mi
- Little Rock Creek4.8 mi
- Owl Creek4.8 mi
- Milligan Gulch4.7 mi
- Dry Creek4.6 mi
Live river readings in Blaine County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Big Wood River At Hailey Id Total Flow | 160 cfs, 1.66 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:45 pm |
| Big Wood R At S Broadford Bridge Nr Bellevue, Id | 112 cfs, 5.80 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:30 pm |
| Silver Ck Near West Campground | 98 cfs, 10.83 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:30 pm |
| Silver Creek At Sportsman Access Nr Picabo Id | 95 cfs, 6.68 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:00 pm |
| Big Wood River At Stanton Crossing Nr Bellevue Id | 56 cfs, 4.70 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:00 pm |
| Big Wood River Nr Ketchum Id | 52 cfs, 4.92 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 8:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner (list of Idaho waters), read November 7, 2026. Stream lengths as printed in the Planner; USGS gauges live.
Where Blaine County streams carry steelhead or salmon
- Salmon RiverIDFG Southwest Region
Steelhead and salmon seasons come from separate Fish and Game Commission proclamations, which this site could not read during the November 2026 IDFG site maintenance. Idaho steelhead and salmon rules
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner (list of Idaho waters), read November 7, 2026.
Stocking rows for Blaine County water
IDFG lists 4,184 hatchery releases into Blaine County water on its Planner pages: 129,582,048 fish in 18 waters.
- Salmon RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 26 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), November 5, 2026
- Snake RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 500 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), October 27, 2026
- Snake RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 21,576 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), October 22, 2026
- Snake RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 5,846 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), October 21, 2026
- Lake WalcottRainbow Trout – Triploid, 24,220 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), October 20, 2026
- Salmon RiverCutthroat Trout – Westslope, 38,679 fish, Fry (0-3 inches), October 13, 2026
- Magic ReservoirRainbow Trout – Triploid, 150,230 fish, Fingerling (3-6 inches), September 8, 2026
- Lake WalcottRainbow Trout – Triploid, 30,376 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), September 3, 2026
- North Fork Big Wood RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 100 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), August 26, 2026
- Big Wood RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 950 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), August 26, 2026
- North Fork Big Wood RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 311 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), August 13, 2026
- Big Wood RiverRainbow Trout – Triploid, 950 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), August 13, 2026
Stocking rows as printed on the IDFG Fishing Planner water pages (date, species, number and size as listed), read November 7, 2026. Newest releases first.
Launches and walk-in access of Blaine County
- Alturas Lake and Pettit Lake Areas launchAlturas Lake, Forest Service, lake and pond fishing
- Baker Creek launchBaker Creek, Forest Service, river and stream fishing
- Carey Lake WMA boat rampCarey Lake, IDFG, fishing access, ramp, restroom
- Hot Springs Landing / Rock Creek on Magic ReservoirMagic Reservoir, IDFG, fishing access, ramp
- Lava Point boat ramp on Magic ReservoirMagic Reservoir, IDFG, boating access, ramp, dock, restroom, camping
- Moonstone boat ramplaunch site, IDFG, boating access, ramp, dock, restroom, camping
- Perkins Lake launchPerkins Lake, Forest Service, lake and pond fishing
- Magic Reservoir launchMagic Reservoir, BLM, boat launch
IDFG bank spots of Blaine County (5)
- Gaver Lagoon fishing access on Gavers Lagoonfishing access, restroom, camping
- Silver Creek East fishing accessfishing access, restroom, camping
- Silver Creek West fishing accessfishing access, restroom, camping
- Sheep Bridge fishing access (south)fishing access
- Stanton Crossing fishing accessfishing access, restroom, camping
IDFG Fishing and Boating Access Sites layer (ArcGIS service), read November 7, 2026. BLM and Forest Service points as published; lanes and ramp counts are not fields in any layer.
Fish an angler may keep across Blaine County
This is the IDFG Magic Valley Region block, since most of Blaine County's listed water sits in it; special rules printed for a water come first. The annual license fee written into Idaho Code 36-416 is $28.75 for an Idahoan and $106.25 for a visitor; GoOutdoorsIdaho and vendors add processing.
| Group | Rule as printed |
|---|---|
| Bass | Bass limit is 6, both species combined; None under 12 inches |
| Brook Trout | Brook Trout limit is 25; Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules – if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for Brook Trout |
| Bull Trout | Bull Trout – catch-and-release |
| Kokanee | Kokanee limit is 6 |
| Sturgeon | Sturgeon – catch-and-release; Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be released upon landing; Barbless hooks, sliding swivel device to secure a weight, and a lighter test line to secure weight to sliding swivel device are required. See fishing regulations for details |
| Tiger Muskie | Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches |
| Trout | Trout limit is 6, all species combined; In rivers and streams, only 2 of the 6 trout may be Cutthroat Trout; Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately |
| Walleye | Walleye limit is 6 |
| Whitefish | Whitefish limit is 25; Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules – if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for whitefish |
| Protected Nongame Fish | May not be harvested or possessed (also known as Green Sucker) |
| All Other Fish Species | No bag, length or possession limit |
A few listed waters belong to the IDFG Salmon Region and IDFG Upper Snake Region. Every region table
Blaine County water carrying special rules (16)
- Baker CreekAll Waters Open All Year
- Big Wood RiverAll Waters Open All Year
- Camas Creek (Blaine County)All Waters Open All Year
- Carey LakeElectric motors only
- East Fork Wood RiverAll Waters Open All Year
- Grove CreekAll Waters Open All Year
- Lake WalcottBass limit is 2, any size
- Little Wood RiverAll Waters Open All Year
- Loving CreekAll Waters Open All Year
- Magic ReservoirBass – no bag, length, or possession limits
- North Fork Big Wood RiverAll Waters Open All Year
- Pettit LakeJanuary 1 through August 7 – Salmon Region general rules apply
- Salmon RiverAll Waters Open All Year
- Silver CreekAll Waters Open All Year
- Snake RiverAll Waters Open All Year
- Stalker CreekAll Waters Open All Year
Region bag limits from Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules, 2025-2027 for the Magic Valley Region, as printed on IDFG Fishing Planner water pages (the brochure PDF on idfg.idaho.gov was unreachable during site maintenance), read November 7, 2026. Fishing license fees as set in Idaho Code 36-416 (statute; IDFG sale prices add vendor and processing fees), read November 7, 2026.
Tackle, flies and outfitters in Blaine County
Idaho tackle counters in Blaine County
- High Desert Sportsbait and tackle shop, Hailey
- Idaho Angling Servicebait and tackle shop, Bellevue
- Lost River Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Ketchum
Guides and outfitters based in Blaine County
- Silver Creek Outfittersfishing guide, Ketchum, (208) 726-5282
- Lost River Outfittersfly shop and guide service, Ketchum, (208) 726-1706
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, guide listings (city of business); retrieved November 7, 2026.
Idaho highways leading out of Blaine County
Motels and diners for a Blaine County trip
- Haileypop. 9,161
- Ketchumpop. 3,555
- Bellevuepop. 2,560
- Sun Valleypop. 1,783
Idaho county guides sharing a line with Blaine County
- Lincoln County30 miles south
- Minidoka County40 miles southeast
- Camas County42 miles west
- Butte County44 miles northeast
Rods, reels and pliers from Piscifun before Blaine County
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Benchland and bank around Blaine County, seen through a lens
Photo: Joan Amero, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David~O, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, CC0 1.0
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Brief answers on fishing Blaine County
How many IDFG, BLM and Forest Service launches serve Blaine County?
8 launch sites on the access layers (4 IDFG, 3 Forest Service and 1 BLM).
Which lake in Blaine County does IDFG list with the most acres?
Lake Walcott, at 8,248 acres in the IDFG Fishing Planner.
Which game fish does IDFG name on water near Blaine County?
Rainbow trout lead the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by brook trout, bull trout and cutthroat trout.
Which Blaine County stores keep hooks and flies?
3 in all, starting with High Desert Sports.
How many Idaho guide listings name a Blaine County town?
Count 2 guide listings with a local city.
Which Idaho town holds the Blaine County county offices?
Hailey is the seat.
Does fishing in Blaine County need an Idaho license?
The annual license fee written into Idaho Code 36-416 is $28.75 for an Idahoan and $106.25 for a visitor; GoOutdoorsIdaho and vendors add processing.
Which Idaho county guides ring Blaine County?
The nearest county pages are Lincoln County, Minidoka County and Camas County.
Which IDFG region covers most Blaine County water?
56% of the Planner waters sit in the IDFG Magic Valley Region.
Does IDFG print special rules for any Blaine County water?
The Planner prints special rules for 16 county waters with a page here, starting with Baker Creek; the list above shows the first ones.
Does IDFG stock fish in Blaine County?
4,184 IDFG releases listed on Planner pages, 129,582,048 fish; the newest went into Salmon River on Nov. 5, 2026.
Can I fish for salmon in Blaine County?
The Planner lists steelhead or salmon on Salmon River. This page leaves out steelhead and salmon dates because the Commission proclamations were not reachable on the IDFG site in November 2026.
Choose an IDFG lake or river in Blaine County
Open a lake for its launches, limits and releases.