Fishing in Gem County, Idaho
County seat: Emmett. Population 19,123.
- 6lake pages
- 8launch sites
- 3river pages
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Gem County through an Idaho angler's windshield
The 2020 Census tallied 19,123 people in Gem County, whose seat is Emmett. The IDFG Southwest Region takes in 100% of the waters the Planner lists for the county; the remainder follows other region tables. Up high, IDFG lists 1 high mountain lake.
6 lakes and reservoirs here have a full page, together 1,275 Planner acres, led by Black Canyon Reservoir. Boaters get 8 launch sites from the agency layers, split as 5 IDFG and 3 Forest Service. Without a boat, the IDFG layer offers 3 walk-in access sites.
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.
Gem County lakes, rivers and put-ins on a map
IDFG Fishing and Boating Access Sites, BLM and Forest Service launch points, Fishing Planner lake points (outlet) and stream midpoints. Checked November 2026.
Lake guides covering Gem County
| Lake | Acres | Launches | Kind | Game fish IDFG names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Canyon Reservoir | 892 | 0 | reservoir | bluegill and sunfish, bullhead, largemouth bass |
| Sage Hen Reservoir (Gem County) | 232 | 3 | reservoir | rainbow trout |
| Sawyers Pond | 61 | 0 | lake | bluegill and sunfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish |
| Bitter Creek Lake | 58 | 0 | lake | |
| Dick Knox Pond | 20 | 1 | lake | bluegill and sunfish, largemouth bass, yellow perch |
| Emmett Airport Pond | 11 | 0 | lake | bluegill and sunfish, largemouth bass, white crappie |
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.
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Across lake guides inside 50 miles of Emmett, bluegill and sunfish is named more than any other game fish.
IDFG Fishing Planner recommended game fish and stocking rows, counted per lake page within 50 miles; not a creel survey.
Other Gem County water listed by IDFG
A further 5 lakes in Gem County are listed but thin on facts.
| Water | Acres | Kind | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabes Bathtub | 8 | high mountain lake | Cascade |
| Beech Lake | 4 | lake | Cascade |
| Eds Pond | 2 | lake | Emmett |
| Star Lane Pond | 2 | lake | Emmett |
| Gem County Pond | 0 | lake | Emmett |
1 of the county's lakes are high mountain water. Idaho high mountain lakes
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner (list of Idaho waters), read November 7, 2026.
Creeks and forks of Gem County
- Payette RiverIDFG recommended water, 4 USGS gauges
- Second Fork Chief Eagle Eye CreekIDFG recommended water, 11.5 mi Planner length
- Third Fork Chief Eagle Eye CreekIDFG recommended water, 10.8 mi Planner length
More creeks and forks of Gem County (83)
- Chief Eagle Eye Creek60.6 mi
- Big Willow Creek40.7 mi
- Sand Hollow Creek28.3 mi
- Black Canyon Canal27.3 mi
- Sohoagaiteka’a Naokwaide20.6 mi
- Noble Canal20 mi
- Bissel Creek18.6 mi
- West Hartley Gulch16 mi
- Willow Creek15.1 mi
- South Fork Willow Creek14.5 mi
- Haw Creek12.5 mi
- Sand Hollow12.2 mi
- Sevenmile Slough10.8 mi
- Pine Creek10.3 mi
- Soldier Creek9.9 mi
- Cottonwood Creek8.9 mi
- North Fork Willow Creek8.8 mi
- Sage Hen Creek8.2 mi
- Sucker Creek8 mi
- Corral Creek7.2 mi
- Anderson Creek7 mi
- Gold Run Creek6.1 mi
- Jakes Creek6.1 mi
- Kennedy Creek6 mi
- Coon Creek5.4 mi
- Long Hollow Creek5.2 mi
- Rock Creek5.2 mi
- Sand Hollow Creek5 mi
- Rock Creek4.7 mi
- Rammage Creek4.6 mi
- Shirts Creek4.6 mi
- Yergenson Creek4.6 mi
- Cherry Gulch4.5 mi
- Deep Canyon4.5 mi
- Spring Creek (Gem County)4.5 mi
- Big Cottonwood Creek4.4 mi
- Coonrod Gulch4.4 mi
- Timber Creek4.4 mi
- Whitlock Gulch4.4 mi
- Dyes Gulch4.2 mi
- Renwyck Creek4 mi
- Timber Flat Creek4 mi
- Little Cottonwood Creek3.9 mi
- Sucker Creek3.9 mi
- Johnson Creek3.7 mi
- Jackson Creek3.6 mi
- Church Creek3.5 mi
- Schiller Creek3.5 mi
- Salmon Gulch3.4 mi
- Spring Gulch3.4 mi
- Stagecoach Canyon3.4 mi
- Webb Creek3.4 mi
- Baltic Canyon3.3 mi
- Brush Creek3.2 mi
- Joes Creek3.2 mi
- Cold Spring Canyon3.1 mi
- Kimball Creek3 mi
- Muir Creek2.9 mi
- Peterson Gulch2.9 mi
- Timber Gulch2.9 mi
- Monger Creek2.6 mi
- Antelope Creek2.5 mi
- Bristol Creek2.5 mi
- Unnamed Stream2.5 mi
- Cold Spring Creek2.4 mi
- Wood Canyon2.4 mi
- Bear Gulch2.3 mi
- Fir Gulch2.2 mi
- Pole Creek2.2 mi
- Cherry Gulch2.1 mi
- Gabes Creek2.1 mi
- Fourmile Creek2 mi
- Long Pine Creek1.9 mi
- Minnis Canyon1.9 mi
- Bear Creek1.8 mi
- Buck Canyon1.8 mi
- Kimball Gulch1.8 mi
- Poison Creek1.7 mi
- Shake Gulch1.6 mi
- Woody Creek1.6 mi
Current discharge from Gem County gauges
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Payette River Nr Letha Id | 741 cfs, 7.50 ft gage height | Nov 12 5:30 pm |
| Payette River Nr Emmett Id | 587 cfs, 1.63 ft gage height | Nov 12 5:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 6:33 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.
What IDFG hatcheries put into Gem County
Across 7 waters, 350 IDFG releases put 1,359,628 fish into Gem County water.
- Sawyers PondRainbow Trout – Triploid, 266 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), October 13, 2026
- Dick Knox PondRainbow Trout – Triploid, 426 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), October 13, 2026
- Black Canyon ReservoirChannel Catfish, 1,380 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), August 11, 2026
- Sage Hen Reservoir (Gem County)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 2,413 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), July 1, 2026
- Sawyers PondRainbow Trout – Triploid, 303 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), June 9, 2026
- Dick Knox PondRainbow Trout – Triploid, 476 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), June 9, 2026
- Sage Hen Reservoir (Gem County)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 2,595 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), June 8, 2026
- Dick Knox PondRainbow Trout – Triploid, 50 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), May 29, 2026
- Dick Knox PondYellow Trout, 50 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), May 29, 2026
- Sage Hen Reservoir (Gem County)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 2,424 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), May 13, 2026
- Sawyers PondRainbow Trout – Triploid, 302 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), May 6, 2026
- Dick Knox PondRainbow Trout – Triploid, 491 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), May 6, 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.
Access inventory for Gem County
- Dick Knox Pond boat rampDick Knox Pond, IDFG, fishing access, ramp, dock, restroom
- Gem Island Ramp on Eds PondEds Pond, IDFG, boating access, ramp
- Sage Hen Creek Boat RampSage Hen Reservoir, Forest Service, boating – non-motorized
- Sage Hen Creek Campground launchSage Hen Reservoir, Forest Service, boating – non-motorized
- Sawyer Ponds boat ramplaunch site, IDFG, boating access, ramp, dock, restroom
- Sevenmile Slough boat ramplaunch site, IDFG, fishing access, ramp, restroom
- Shady Pines Boat Ramp on Sage Hen ReservoirSage Hen Reservoir, Forest Service, boating – non-motorized
- Sheep Camp Landinglaunch site, IDFG, fishing access, ramp, restroom
Bank sites across Gem County (3)
- Emmett Airport Pondfishing access, restroom
- Plaza Road Bridge fishing accessfishing access, restroom
- Star Lane Pondfishing access, restroom
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.
Daily limits for Gem County water
Use the IDFG Southwest Region block as the starting point in Gem County, then look for a printed rule on the water itself. Budget the statutory $28.75 resident or $106.25 nonresident annual fishing fee from Idaho Code 36-416, plus whatever the vendor tacks on.
| 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 |
| Salmon | Spring and summer Chinook Salmon seasons and limits are set by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and issued in separate brochures; Seasons and limits for fall Chinook Salmon and Coho Salmon can be found here; Sockeye Salmon fishing is illegal. Defined as ocean-run Oncorhynchus nerka longer than 14 inches in the Snake River drainage below Hells Canyon Dam, the Salmon River drainage (excluding above Mosquito Flat Dam) |
| Steelhead | Defined as Rainbow Trout longer than 20 inches in the Salmon River drainage (excluding lakes and reservoirs). Between Hells Canyon Dam and Oxbow Dam and the Boise River from its mouth upstream to Barber Dam during steelhead seasons, steelhead are Rainbow Trout over 20 inches with the adipose fin clipped (as evidenced by a healed scar); Fishing for steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season is specifically open |
| 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; Chinook Salmon and steelhead placed in ponds are counted in the trout bag limit; Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately |
| Walleye | No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.) |
| 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 |
| All Other Fish Species | No bag, length, or possession limits |
Where Gem County water departs from the region table (5)
- Dick Knox PondBass limit is 2, none under 20 inches
- Payette RiverAll Waters Open All Year
- Sage Hen Reservoir (Gem County)December 1 through June 15 – closed to fishing
- Second Fork Chief Eagle Eye CreekAll Waters Open All Year
- Third Fork Chief Eagle Eye CreekAll Waters Open All Year
Region bag limits from Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules, 2025-2027 for the Southwest 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.
Recent Idaho records near Gem County
Nothing in Gem County made the 2026 record announcements, but these nearby waters did.
| Species | Record | Kind | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bullhead Catfish | 17 inches | catch-and-release (length) | Cascade Reservoir | Sept. 5, 2026 |
| Lake Trout | 43.25 inches | catch-and-release (length) | Payette Lake | date not printed |
Idaho state record fish, read November 8, 2026. A partial list: records IDFG announced in 2026.
Shops and outfitters listing Gem County
Shop listings for Gem County
- Kamakazee Bait Cobait and tackle shop, Emmett
- Bi-Mart Emmettsporting goods store, Emmett
Yellow Pages and chain store listings, guide listings (city of business); retrieved November 7, 2026.
Beyond the edge of Gem County
Overnight bases in Gem County
- Emmettpop. 7,647
Counties bordering Gem County
- Payette County18 miles west
- Washington County33 miles northwest
- Canyon County34 miles southwest
- Boise County34 miles east
A Piscifun spinning kit for the run up to Gem County
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Telling the Gem County fish apart by sight
Photo: Bureau of Reclamation, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Eric Kilby, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
What Idaho anglers ask about Gem County
Do IDFG, BLM or the Forest Service run the launches in Gem County?
8 launch sites; 5 IDFG and 3 Forest Service.
Which Gem County reservoir shows the most acres?
Black Canyon Reservoir, at 892 acres in the IDFG Fishing Planner.
What tops the game fish tally for Gem County?
Bluegill and sunfish lead the count of lake pages within 50 miles, followed by largemouth bass, rainbow trout and yellow perch.
Where does a Gem State angler restock in Gem County?
Kamakazee Bait Co is one of 2 shops listed here.
Is there an Idaho fishing guide with a Gem County address?
No outfitter gives a city in the county.
Which Idaho town keeps the Gem County courthouse?
Emmett, home of the courthouse.
Which Idaho license covers a Gem County trip?
Budget the statutory $28.75 resident or $106.25 nonresident annual fishing fee from Idaho Code 36-416, plus whatever the vendor tacks on.
Which Idaho counties meet the Gem County boundary?
The list above starts with Payette County, Washington County and Canyon County.
Under which IDFG region is most Gem County fishing?
Most listed waters (100%) fall in the IDFG Southwest Region; region lines follow drainages.
Which Gem County lakes or creeks carry their own IDFG rule block?
The Planner prints special rules for 5 county waters with a page here, starting with Dick Knox Pond; the list above shows the first ones.
When was Gem County water last stocked?
350 IDFG releases listed on Planner pages, 1,359,628 fish; the newest went into Sawyers Pond on Oct. 13, 2026.
Fish the reservoirs and trout creeks of Gem County
Each launch opens with a directions link.