Williams Lake

A beautiful 180-acre lake in Lemhi County, Salmon Region. Features boat ramp, dock, camping, and full facilities. Excellent for rainbow trout with Bull Trout catch-and-release. Scenic mountain setting with good shore access.

Species: 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: Salmon Region Bag Limits. 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.