Brownlee Reservoir Fishing
A 10,995-acre Idaho reservoir in Washington County.
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Brownlee Reservoir by the numbers
Brownlee Reservoir covers 10,995 acres of Washington County, according to IDFG. USGS outline data place it at roughly 2,072 feet. IDFG lists it with the IDFG Southwest Region (Nampa subregion). The run into Weiser is close to 26 miles. The Planner describes it this way: Flows into the Snake River. It carries the Planner’s Recommended Fishing Water mark.
The access layers record 1 launch site here. Bank anglers have 1 walk-in access site. Since 1969, IDFG lists 79 stocking records. The Planner lists a boat ramp, dock, toilet, campground and accessible facilities on site. IDFG flags a consumption advisory for fish from it.
Surface acres as listed in the IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner (water page), read November 7, 2026. Elevation from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset and GNIS for the matched lake outline, read November 7, 2026. Census 2020 places.
Fish the Planner names for Brownlee Reservoir
For Brownlee Reservoir, IDFG sources name the species below.
Fish IDFG surveys turned up in Brownlee Reservoir
- Black Crappiesurvey 2023
- Common Carpsurvey 2023
- Green Sunfishsurvey 2023
- Largemouth Basssurvey 2023
- Smallmouth Basssurvey 2023
- White Crappiesurvey 2023
- Yellow Perchsurvey 2023
- Bluegillsurvey 1996
- Bridgelip Suckersurvey 1996
- Channel Catfishsurvey 1996
- Chiselmouth Chubsurvey 1996
- Largescale Suckersurvey 1996
- Northern Pikeminnowsurvey 1996
- Pumpkinseedsurvey 1996
- Rainbow Troutsurvey 1995
- Mountain Whitefishsurvey 1994
Survey rows report presence in a sampling year, not abundance.
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner water page, read November 7, 2026.
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- Steck Park boat ramp on Brownlee Reservoirboating access, ramp, dock, restroom, camping
IDFG walk-in access at Brownlee Reservoir
- Brownlee Creek fishing accessfishing access, restroom, camping
The Planner lists no motor restriction here.
IDFG Fishing and Boating Access Sites layer, BLM Idaho recreation site points and USDA Forest Service recreation opportunities (EDW), read November 7, 2026.
Elevation readings for Brownlee Reservoir
USACE Northwestern Division water management data, BRN.Elev-Forebay.Inst.~1Day.0.IDP-REV, reading for November 6, 2026, retrieved November 7, 2026; series datum not stated. Provisional.
Each reading for Brownlee Reservoir names its agency and time.
IDFG releases at Brownlee Reservoir since 2024
Stocking at Brownlee Reservoir spans 1969 to 2025 across 79 rows.
- White SturgeonWhite Sturgeon, 24 fish, Adults, October 27, 2025
Stocking rows as printed on the IDFG Fishing Planner page (date, species, number and size as listed), read November 7, 2026.
Bag limits for Brownlee Reservoir
| Group | Region 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 |
Read the IDFG Southwest Region rows first, then the exceptions IDFG prints for Brownlee Reservoir.
Fishing here takes an Idaho fishing license; Idaho Code 36-416 sets the annual statutory fee at $28.75 for residents and $106.25 for nonresidents, and steelhead or salmon fishing takes its own permit.
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.
Weigh-ins and derbies scheduled for Brownlee Reservoir
Club dates and winners for Brownlee Reservoir are collected in one place.
Stacking Brownlee Reservoir against nearby reservoirs
The biggest neighbour here is Oxbow Reservoir, 581 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Region | Recommended fish | Launch sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownlee Reservoir | 10,995 | Southwest Region | 8 | 1 | |
| Fairchild Reservoir | 14 miles southeast | 96 | Southwest Region | 0 | 0 |
| Mann Creek Reservoir | 18 miles southeast | 269 | Southwest Region | 4 | 0 |
| Barton Reservoir | 22 miles southeast | 66 | Southwest Region | 0 | 0 |
| Oxbow Reservoir | 27 miles northeast | 581 | Southwest Region | 7 | 0 |
| Buttermilk Slough Lake | 30 miles south | 34 | Southwest Region | 0 | 0 |
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner and the agency access layers, read November 7, 2026.
In the Brownlee Reservoir neighbourhood
Still water for a second day beyond Brownlee Reservoir
- Fairchild Reservoir14 miles southeast
- Mann Creek Reservoir18 miles southeast
- Barton Reservoir22 miles southeast
- Oxbow Reservoir27 miles northeast
- Buttermilk Slough Lake30 miles south
Where to grab leaders, hooks and bait for Brownlee Reservoir
- Bi-Mart Weisersporting goods store, Weiser, 26 miles
Idaho communities handy to Brownlee Reservoir
- Weiser26 miles
- Payette38 miles
- Fruitland42 miles
Counties that share Brownlee Reservoir
- Washington Countyseat: Weiser
What Piscifun sells that fits a trip to Brownlee Reservoir
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Gem State fish to know on sight at Brownlee Reservoir
Photo: Mike Cline, Public domain
Photo: Thenextvoice, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USDAgov, Public domain
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Brownlee Reservoir: what Gem State anglers keep asking
Which Idaho county is Brownlee Reservoir in?
Its Planner point lies in Washington County, about 26 miles from Weiser.
How big is Brownlee Reservoir by the IDFG figure?
The Planner says 10,995 acres, at about 2,072 feet.
How many launch sites reach Brownlee Reservoir?
1 launch site listed; start with Steck Park boat ramp on Brownlee Reservoir.
Does Brownlee Reservoir hold trout?
On the recommended list: bluegill / pumpkinseed / sunfish, bullhead catfish, largemouth bass, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, catfish and rainbow trout.
Which brochure lines govern Brownlee Reservoir?
Under the IDFG Southwest Region block: 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.
What does a nonresident need at Brownlee Reservoir?
Fishing here takes an Idaho fishing license; Idaho Code 36-416 sets the annual statutory fee at $28.75 for residents and $106.25 for nonresidents, and steelhead or salmon fishing takes its own permit.
Is Brownlee Reservoir stocked?
Latest row: White Sturgeon, 24 fish, Adults, October 27, 2025.
Where would I pick up nightcrawlers on the road to Brownlee Reservoir?
Bi-Mart Weiser is the nearest stop we list, about 26 miles away.
Which agency posts the surface level of Brownlee Reservoir?
Check the level band; the source is USACE NWD water management (dataquery).
Is it safe to eat fish from Brownlee Reservoir?
Yes, a consumption advisory notice appears on the Planner; follow its guidance.
Pencil Brownlee Reservoir into this year's Idaho plans
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