Deadwood Reservoir Fishing
A 2,997-acre Idaho reservoir in Valley County.
Pick for kokaneePiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Lake Cascade: Sam Beebe, CC BY 2.0
Sizing up Deadwood Reservoir
In Valley County, Deadwood Reservoir takes up 2,997 acres on the IDFG listing. It is a IDFG Southwest Region (Nampa subregion) water on the Planner. Count on around 24 miles of driving to reach Cascade. Where the water goes, per the Planner: Flows into the Deadwood River. Among IDFG picks, it is a Recommended Fishing Water.
Its shoreline carries no ramp in the data we use. Region limits change here through 2 special rule lines. Stocking history runs to 84 stocking records from 1986 on. IDFG notes a boat ramp, toilet, campground and accessible facilities here.
Surface acres as listed in the IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner (water page), read November 7, 2026. Census 2020 places.
Species turned up in Deadwood Reservoir surveys
Planner game fish, survey finds and stocked fish at Deadwood Reservoir:
Species from IDFG sampling at Deadwood Reservoir
- Kokaneesurvey 2025
- Mountain Whitefishsurvey 2025
- Rainbow Troutsurvey 2025
- Redside Shinersurvey 2025
- Speckled Dacesurvey 2025
- Chinook Salmonsurvey 2024
- Cutthroat Troutsurvey 2024
- Cutthroat Troutsurvey 2023
- Rainbow Troutsurvey 2023
- Rainbow x Cutthroat Troutsurvey 2023
- Chinook Salmonsurvey 2022
- Bull Troutsurvey 2020
- Dacesurvey 2019
Survey lists include nongame fish such as suckers and dace.
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner water page, read November 7, 2026.
For the kokanee herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Boat launches around Deadwood Reservoir
Deadwood Reservoir has no launch in our layers; options nearby are below.
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.
Latest level reading on Deadwood Reservoir
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Deadwood Res Nr Lowman Id | 5,304.56 ft gage height | Nov 8 7:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 8, 2026 8:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Agency and date travel with every level shown for Deadwood Reservoir.
Recent plants in Deadwood Reservoir
The Planner holds 84 stocking rows for Deadwood Reservoir, from 1986 to 2026; the newest are below.
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 9,054 fish, Fingerling (3-6 inches), July 13, 2026
- KokaneeKokanee, 53,505 fish, Fingerling (3-6 inches), June 11, 2026
Stocking rows as printed on the IDFG Fishing Planner page (date, species, number and size as listed), read November 7, 2026.
Idaho region limits that cover Deadwood 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 |
On Deadwood Reservoir, start with the IDFG Southwest Region table and then read the water's own lines.
Where Deadwood Reservoir departs from the region table
Heading as printed: "Nearby Rules The following special rule(s) apply to adjacent waters but exclude the Deadwood Reservoir.Deadwood Reservoir tributaries".
| Rule as printed |
|---|
| Trout limit is 2 |
| Kokanee limit is 6 |
Special rules printed for Nearby Rules The following special rule(s) apply to adjacent waters but exclude the Deadwood Reservoir.Deadwood Reservoir tributaries on its IDFG Fishing Planner page (Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules, 2025-2027), read November 7, 2026.
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.
Neighbouring water and Deadwood Reservoir in one table
Horsethief Reservoir is the heavyweight of the set at 258 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Region | Recommended fish | Launch sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deadwood Reservoir | 2,997 | Southwest Region | 6 | 0 | |
| Herrick Reservoir | 17 miles west | 37 | Southwest Region | 2 | 1 |
| Corral Creek Reservoir | 17 miles northwest | 31 | Southwest Region | 1 | 0 |
| Horsethief Reservoir | 19 miles northwest | 258 | Southwest Region | 3 | 1 |
| Martin Lake | 20 miles east | 6.2 | Southwest Region | 2 | 0 |
| Bull Trout Lake | 20 miles east | 72 | Southwest Region | 2 | 0 |
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner and the agency access layers, read November 7, 2026.
Minutes from Deadwood Reservoir
Nearby still water worth trying from Deadwood Reservoir
- Herrick Reservoir17 miles west
- Corral Creek Reservoir17 miles northwest
- Horsethief Reservoir19 miles northwest
- Martin Lake20 miles east
- Bull Trout Lake20 miles east
Bait and tackle counters for Deadwood Reservoir
- Tackle Tom'sbait and tackle shop, Cascade, 24 miles
- Hi-Per Sports Incmarina, Mccall
- Mile High Marinamarina, McCall
- Mountain Marine Constructionmarina, McCall
- Tamarack Marinamarina, Tamarack
- Valley Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Cascade
Where to book a motel for Deadwood Reservoir
- Cascade24 miles
County pages for Deadwood Reservoir
- Valley Countyseat: Cascade
Piscifun gear a Gem State angler might carry to Deadwood Reservoir
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Gem State water near Deadwood Reservoir, on camera
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: BLMIdaho, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Sheila Sund, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David~O, CC BY 2.0
Trip questions about Deadwood Reservoir, sorted
What part of the Gem State holds Deadwood Reservoir?
The water is in Valley County, about 24 miles from Cascade.
How much surface does Deadwood Reservoir cover?
About 2,997 acres.
Which launch is nearest Deadwood Reservoir?
None is recorded in the layers; see the ramps nearby.
What fish are in Deadwood Reservoir?
Recommended game fish: kokanee, chinook salmon, cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, rainbow trout and bull trout.
What daily limit applies at Deadwood 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. Kokanee: Kokanee limit is 6. Its special rules sit in the limits band.
Can a visitor from out of state fish Deadwood 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.
Does Deadwood Reservoir get hatchery fish?
The stocking band shows 84 rows, newest Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 9,054 fish, Fingerling (3-6 inches), July 13, 2026.
Is there a bait shop on the road to Deadwood Reservoir?
Tackle Tom's, about 24 miles away is first on our Idaho list.
What is the latest reading at Deadwood Reservoir?
See the level panel (USGS).
Circle a free Saturday for Deadwood Reservoir
Region limits, statutory fees and special rules are on the license page.