Pettit Lake

A beautiful 400-acre alpine lake in the Sawtooth Range. One of Idaho's most scenic fishing destinations. Good for kokanee, cutthroat, brook, rainbow, and Bull Trout. Boat ramp, camping, and toilets available. Special kokanee regulations in late season.

Species: Kokanee Salmon, Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Bull Trout. Difficulty: intermediate. Some experience pays off here.

Best timing: Summer and Fall. Summer fishes best at first light and late evening; midday is technical. Fall is prime — heavy feeding before winter, fewer crowds.

Regulations: Aug 8-Dec 31: Kokanee catch-and-release. Trout limit 6. Bull Trout catch-and-release. Always confirm with the current IDFG rule book before fishing.

Salmon Region context

The Salmon region is anchored by the Main Salmon — the River of No Return — and the chinook and steelhead runs that climb it. Side drainages like the Yankee Fork and the Lemhi hold native westslope cutthroat. Most fishing trips here are timed to ocean-run windows: spring/summer chinook, fall steelhead. Salmon, Stanley, and Challis are the access points.

Plan for the experience level the fishery rewards.