Mud Lake (Jefferson County) Fishing
A 3,095-acre Idaho lake in Jefferson County.
Pick for bullheadPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo of South Fork Snake River: BLMIdaho, CC BY 2.0
Before a first trip to Mud Lake (Jefferson County)
IDFG gives Mud Lake (Jefferson County) 3,095 acres of water within Jefferson County. At close to 4,779 feet, mountain weather shapes the season here. Its brochure region is the IDFG Upper Snake Region. The closest Census town is Rigby, about 28 miles off. Its drainage, as IDFG words it: Mud Lake Drainage.
There are 2 launch sites on it in the agency data. The 2025-2027 brochure lists 2 special rule lines here. On-site facilities per IDFG: boat ramp, dock, toilet, campground and accessible facilities.
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.
What anglers catch in Mud Lake (Jefferson County)
The species chips for Mud Lake (Jefferson County) draw on Planner picks, surveys and plants.
Survey catches recorded at Mud Lake (Jefferson County)
- Bluegillsurvey 2024
- Largemouth Basssurvey 2024
- Yellow Perchsurvey 2024
- Bullheadsurvey 2023
- Utah Suckersurvey 2022
These are survey finds, not a promise of what bites.
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner water page, read November 7, 2026.
For the bullhead herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Ramps that reach Mud Lake (Jefferson County)
- Mud Lake WMA – North Rampboating access, ramp, dock, restroom, camping
- Mud Lake WMA – South Rampboating access, ramp, dock, 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.
Gauge and dam readings at Mud Lake (Jefferson County)
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Mud Lake Nr Terreton Id | 2.88 ft gage height | Nov 9 8:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 9, 2026 8:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Look at the timestamp before trusting a number for Mud Lake (Jefferson County).
How many fish you can keep from Mud Lake (Jefferson County)
| Group | Region rule as printed |
|---|---|
| Bass | Bass – no bag, length, or possession limits |
| 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 15 |
| 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 | No bag, length, or possession limits, harvest is encouraged (Have not been stocked intentionally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.) |
| Whitefish | Whitefish limit is 25 – see Big Lost River exception; 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 including Bluehead Sucker | May not be harvested or possessed (also known as Green Sucker) |
| All Other Fish Species | No bag, length or possession limit |
Region lines for the IDFG Upper Snake Region apply at Mud Lake (Jefferson County) except where noted below.
Special rules printed for Mud Lake (Jefferson County)
The rule block heading reads "Mud Lake All Sections".
| Rule as printed |
|---|
| Bass limit is 6 |
| March 1 through July 15 – no boats, rafts or float tubes |
Special rules printed for Mud Lake All Sections 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 Upper Snake 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.
Nearby still water beside Mud Lake (Jefferson County)
For more elbow room, North Lake offers 764 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Region | Recommended fish | Launch sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mud Lake (Jefferson County) | 3,095 | Upper Snake Region | 2 | 2 | |
| North Lake | 3 miles north | 764 | Upper Snake Region | 0 | 0 |
| Rays Lake | 7 miles east | 193 | Upper Snake Region | 0 | 0 |
| Two-way Pond | 7 miles northeast | 64 | Upper Snake Region | 0 | 0 |
| Sandhole Lake | 8 miles east | 142 | Upper Snake Region | 0 | 0 |
| Market Lake | 14 miles southeast | 522 | Upper Snake Region | 0 | 0 |
IDFG Idaho Fishing Planner and the agency access layers, read November 7, 2026.
Close to Mud Lake (Jefferson County)
Reservoirs and lakes neighbouring Mud Lake (Jefferson County)
- North Lake3 miles north
- Rays Lake7 miles east
- Two-way Pond7 miles northeast
- Sandhole Lake8 miles east
- Market Lake14 miles southeast
Gear shops Mud Lake (Jefferson County) anglers lean on
- Idaho Fishing Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Rigby, 28 miles
- Heise Expeditions – Day Toursbait and tackle shop, Ririe
- Heise Expeditions Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, Ririe
Overnight towns for anglers bound for Mud Lake (Jefferson County)
- Rigby28 miles
- Ucon30 miles
- Rexburg30 miles
Mud Lake (Jefferson County), broken out by county
- Jefferson Countyseat: Rigby
Piscifun reels and line packed for Mud Lake (Jefferson County)
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Reservoirs, alpine lakes and canyon runs close to Mud Lake (Jefferson County), in pictures
Photo: BLMIdaho, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Zechariah Judy, CC BY 3.0
Before you load the truck for Mud Lake (Jefferson County)
Where in Idaho is Mud Lake (Jefferson County)?
Look in Jefferson County, about 28 miles from Rigby.
What size does the Planner give Mud Lake (Jefferson County)?
Near 3,095 acres, at about 4,779 feet.
Which listed launch suits a first trip to Mud Lake (Jefferson County)?
Use Mud Lake WMA – North Ramp, one of 2 launch sites.
Which species are on record at Mud Lake (Jefferson County)?
IDFG recommends bullhead catfish and yellow perch.
Does IDFG print special rules for Mud Lake (Jefferson County)?
Under the IDFG Upper Snake Region block: Trout limit is 6, all species combined; Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately. Read the water-specific lines above too.
Do I need an Idaho license to fish Mud Lake (Jefferson County)?
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 IDFG plant fish in Mud Lake (Jefferson County)?
It has no stocking history on the Planner.
Who sells flies and worms close to Mud Lake (Jefferson County)?
Stop at Idaho Fishing Outfitters, about 28 miles away.
Where on this page is the level reading for Mud Lake (Jefferson County)?
Above: the dated reading from USGS.
Plan a Gem State trip around Mud Lake (Jefferson County)
Check the bag limit before a fish goes in the cooler.