Idaho lakes and reservoirs

Crane Creek Reservoir Fishing

A 2,315-acre Idaho reservoir in Washington County.

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Photo of Lake Cascade: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0

Washington County

Crane Creek Reservoir, the short version

Planner size for Crane Creek Reservoir: 2,315 acres, in Washington County. The matched NHD outline reads 3,189 feet. IDFG manages it from the IDFG Southwest Region (Nampa subregion). Weiser sits roughly 20 miles away for fuel and groceries. IDFG notes: Flows into the Crane Creek. IDFG puts it on its recommended list.

Neither IDFG nor the federal layers record a launch on it. Facilities marked on the Planner: boat ramp and accessible facilities.

2,315surface acres
3,189 ftelevation
0launch sites
5recommended fish

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.

Species

Fish worth targeting on Crane Creek Reservoir

What IDFG records show for Crane Creek Reservoir:

What IDFG nets and electrofishing found in Crane Creek Reservoir

  • Bluegillsurvey 2019
  • Bridgelip Suckersurvey 2019
  • Bullheadsurvey 2019
  • Channel Catfishsurvey 2019
  • Common Carpsurvey 2019
  • Crappiesurvey 2019
  • Largemouth Basssurvey 2019
  • Pumpkinseedsurvey 2019
  • Speckled Dacesurvey 2019
  • Black Crappiesurvey 2008
  • Brown Bullheadsurvey 2008
  • White Crappiesurvey 2008

IDFG sampling catches nongame fish as well.

IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner water page, read November 7, 2026.

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Access

Trailer access at Crane Creek Reservoir

Agency data show no ramp on Crane Creek Reservoir; local or private launches may exist.

Other IDFG, BLM and Forest Service launches near Crane Creek Reservoir

  • Paddock Valley Reservoir boat rampPaddock Valley Reservoir, 11 miles south
  • C Ben Ross Reservoir boat rampBen Ross Reservoir, 13 miles northeast

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.

Limits

Possession and size rules at Crane Creek Reservoir

GroupRegion rule as printed
BassBass limit is 6, both species combined; None under 12 inches
Brook TroutBrook 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 TroutBull Trout – catch-and-release
KokaneeKokanee limit is 6
SalmonSpring 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)
SteelheadDefined 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
SturgeonSturgeon – 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 MuskieTiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches
TroutTrout 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
WalleyeNo bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.)
WhitefishWhitefish 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 FishMay not be harvested or possessed
All Other Fish SpeciesNo bag, length, or possession limits

These are the IDFG Southwest Region lines; any special rule for Crane Creek Reservoir below takes priority.

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.

Compare

How Crane Creek Reservoir compares in its corner of Idaho

By IDFG acreage, Paddock Valley Reservoir tops the list with 1,190 acres.

LakeDistanceAcresRegionRecommended fishLaunch sites
Crane Creek Reservoir2,315Southwest Region50
Soulen Reservoir8 miles south118Southwest Region00
Paddock Valley Reservoir9 miles south1,190Southwest Region51
Ben Ross Reservoir13 miles northeast358Southwest Region21
Mann Creek Reservoir16 miles west269Southwest Region40
Barton Reservoir17 miles west66Southwest Region00

IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner and the agency access layers, read November 7, 2026.

Nearby

Beside Crane Creek Reservoir

Lakes a quick detour from Crane Creek Reservoir

  • Soulen Reservoir8 miles south
  • Paddock Valley Reservoir9 miles south
  • Ben Ross Reservoir13 miles northeast
  • Mann Creek Reservoir16 miles west
  • Barton Reservoir17 miles west

Tackle stores a short drive from Crane Creek Reservoir

  • Bi-Mart Weisersporting goods store, Weiser, 20 miles
  • Tackle Tom'sbait and tackle shop, Cascade, 29 miles

Idaho towns with a bed near Crane Creek Reservoir

  • Weiser20 miles
  • Payette26 miles
  • Cascade29 miles

The counties along Crane Creek Reservoir

  • Washington Countyseat: Weiser
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Fish photos

Visual ID for fish swimming at Crane Creek Reservoir

Bluegill and Sunfish, Idaho
Bluegill and Sunfish
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Largemouth Bass, Idaho
Largemouth Bass
Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
White Crappie, Idaho
White Crappie
Photo: Rorey, CC BY 4.0
Bull Trout, Idaho
Bull Trout
Photo: Forest Service Northern Region, CC BY 2.0
Answers

Straight answers on Crane Creek Reservoir

How do I find Crane Creek Reservoir on an Idaho map?

Expect it in Washington County, about 20 miles from Weiser.

Is Crane Creek Reservoir a big lake for Idaho?

Some 2,315 acres on the Planner, at about 3,189 feet.

Can I get a boat onto Crane Creek Reservoir from a public site?

No launch on it appears in the IDFG, BLM or Forest Service layers; nearby sites are in the access band.

What does the Planner say lives in Crane Creek Reservoir?

The Planner names bluegill / pumpkinseed / sunfish, bullhead catfish, largemouth bass, catfish and white crappie.

How many trout may an Idaho angler creel at Crane Creek 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 the Idaho statutory fee come to for a trip to Crane Creek 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.

When was Crane Creek Reservoir last stocked?

No releases are recorded for it.

Where do anglers bound for Crane Creek Reservoir fill the tackle box?

Bi-Mart Weiser, about 20 miles away heads our shop list here.

Hitch the boat for Crane Creek Reservoir

Fees, region tables and rule blocks are gathered on one page.