Lake Walcott Fishing
A 8,248-acre Idaho lake in Blaine, Cassia and Minidoka counties.
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Lake Walcott: start here
The IDFG Fishing Planner lists Lake Walcott at 8,248 acres of surface in Blaine, Cassia and Minidoka counties. Its shoreline lies around 4,195 feet above sea level by the NHD. The Planner files it under the IDFG Magic Valley Region. From the outlet point, Rupert lies near 15 miles away. Drainage line on the Planner: Flows into the Snake River. The Planner’s recommended badge sits on it.
Agency layers place 1 launch site on its shore. IDFG names it in 2 special rule lines. Hatchery crews account for 251 stocking records since 1968. Expect a boat ramp, dock, toilet, campground and accessible facilities, per the Planner.
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.
The Lake Walcott fish list from IDFG
These fish come from the Planner's recommended list, IDFG survey records and stocking rows for Lake Walcott.
Survey years and fish logged for Lake Walcott
- Common Carpsurvey 2024
- Kokaneesurvey 2024
- Smallmouth Basssurvey 2024
- Utah Chubsurvey 2024
- Utah Suckersurvey 2024
- Yellow Perchsurvey 2024
- Rainbow Troutsurvey 2023
- Redside Shinersurvey 2023
- White Crappiesurvey 2023
- Catostomus sp.survey 2006
- Cottussurvey 2006
- Brown Troutsurvey 2005
Sampling counts every fish caught, game species or not.
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner water page, read November 7, 2026.
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- Gifford Springs boat ramp on Lake Walcottfishing access, ramp, 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.
Stocking records for Lake Walcott
Lake Walcott has 251 hatchery rows on file between 1968 and 2026, latest first.
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 24,220 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), October 20, 2026
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 30,376 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), September 3, 2026
- White SturgeonWhite Sturgeon, 40 fish, Catchable (15-19 inches), June 3, 2026
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 21,000 fish, Catchable (6+ inches), March 11, 2025
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 7,350 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), October 17, 2024
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 16,660 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), October 16, 2024
- Rainbow Trout (triploid)Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 113,440 fish, Fingerling (3-6 inches), September 16, 2024
Stocking rows as printed on the IDFG Fishing Planner page (date, species, number and size as listed), read November 7, 2026.
The harvest rules on Lake Walcott
| 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 |
| 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; 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 |
The IDFG Magic Valley Region block sets the default at Lake Walcott; special rules override it.
Water-specific rules on Lake Walcott
IDFG groups them under "Snake River From the downstream side of the Gifford Springs boat fishing zone (western boundary) upstream to Eagle Rock".
| Rule as printed |
|---|
| Bass limit is 2, any size |
| Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Cutthroat Trout |
Special rules printed for Snake River From the downstream side of the Gifford Springs boat fishing zone (western boundary) upstream to Eagle Rock 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 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.
Where Lake Walcott ranks among local water
Among the five nearest Idaho lakes with pages, Milner Lake is largest at 4,350 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Region | Recommended fish | Launch sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Walcott | 8,248 | Magic Valley Region | 5 | 1 | |
| Milner Lake | 15 miles southwest | 4,350 | Magic Valley Region | 3 | 0 |
| Minidoka Pond | 15 miles southwest | 11 | Magic Valley Region | 0 | 0 |
| Camp Holly Lake | 16 miles west | 37 | Magic Valley Region | 0 | 0 |
| Bonanza Lake | 16 miles east | 38 | Southeast Region | 0 | 0 |
| Emerald Lake (Minidoka County) | 20 miles southwest | 34 | Magic Valley Region | 4 | 0 |
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner and the agency access layers, read November 7, 2026.
Down the road from Lake Walcott
Other lakes in the Lake Walcott country
- Milner Lake15 miles southwest
- Minidoka Pond15 miles southwest
- Camp Holly Lake16 miles west
- Bonanza Lake16 miles east
- Emerald Lake (Minidoka County)20 miles southwest
Picking up flies and worms on the way to Lake Walcott
- CAL Ranch Burleysporting goods store, Burley, 23 miles
- Snake River Sportsbait and tackle shop, Burley, 23 miles
- High Desert Sportsbait and tackle shop, Hailey
- Lost River Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Ketchum
- Sports Marinamarina, Burley
- Idaho Angling Servicebait and tackle shop, Bellevue
Guides and outfitters for Lake Walcott
- Silver Creek Outfittersfishing guide, Ketchum, (208) 726-5282
- Lost River Outfittersfly shop and guide service, Ketchum, (208) 726-1706
Motels and cabins that put you near Lake Walcott
- Rupert15 miles
- Heyburn21 miles
- Paul21 miles
Which Gem State counties hold Lake Walcott
- Blaine Countyseat: Hailey
- Cassia Countyseat: Burley
- Minidoka Countyseat: Rupert
Rods, reels and pliers from Piscifun before Lake Walcott
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Telling the Lake Walcott fish apart by sight
Photo: Mike Cline, Public domain
Photo: USDAgov, Public domain
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Photo: Engbretson Eric, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Bureau of Land Management, CC BY 2.0
Lake Walcott, taken a question at a time
Which Gem State town makes the handiest base for Lake Walcott?
IDFG places it in Blaine, Cassia and Minidoka counties, about 15 miles from Rupert.
What acreage does IDFG list for Lake Walcott?
IDFG lists 8,248 acres, at about 4,195 feet.
Do the agency layers show a boat ramp on Lake Walcott?
1 launch site on file; try Gifford Springs boat ramp on Lake Walcott.
What might bend a rod at Lake Walcott on an ordinary Idaho day?
Expect bluegill / pumpkinseed / sunfish, largemouth bass, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and rainbow trout, per IDFG.
Which Idaho rules cover Lake Walcott?
Under the IDFG Magic Valley Region block: 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. Its own rule lines are in the limits band and override that.
Which license covers Lake Walcott?
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.
What has IDFG released into Lake Walcott?
Yes; the newest row is Rainbow Trout – Triploid, 24,220 fish, Catchable (12-14 inches), October 20, 2026.
Where can I grab leader and hooks before Lake Walcott?
Try CAL Ranch Burley, about 23 miles away.
Block out a weekend for Lake Walcott
Read the rule lines, then choose the launch closest to your spot.