Idaho Walleye

[CarlBob]

Am contemplating a job transfer to Idaho. Was wondering if there is any decent walleye fishing in Idaho. Or do I have to become a (shudder) trout fisherman. I currently live in Minnesota and am spoiled by all the great eye fishing on Mille Lacs. Any chance there are walleyes in Idaho.??

[WAeyes]

I'm not sure what part of Idaho you are moving to but I know there is some good walleye fishing in the Spokane area. It is on the Idaho/Washington border. Spokane River and Lake Roosevelt (Columbia River) to name a couple.

[mlc]

Sprague Lake is also in the Spokane area. There is a reservoir just outside of Twin Falls that has walleye. Idaho is the worst in terms of walleye. The surrounding states are fine. If walleye population is the determining factor in moving there, well, stay put! However, if trout fishing, hunting and general quality of life are the issues, well, you will not be able to get there soon enough!

Take care,
mlc

[elkman]

What town or city are you considering? Lets start there.

[RJ]

I currently live in Montana but did live in Idaho for a couple of years(Nampa/Caldwell area) and there was no walleye fishing in the immediate area. At that time,approx. 10years ago, the only walleye population that was reported was in Salmon Falls Res. in the far SW corner on the state. Look on a map and you can locate it. I kept hoping some of the mud flats lakes in the central southern part of the state would begin a stocking program but I have no idea if this ever happened. A few pothole lakes in the Arco/Idaho Falls area. I have never heard of any other lakes being known for walleyes but you may try to contact Idaho Fish and Game, they would have the current info. Salmon Falls is home to some fair walleyes I hear, the state record is from there and if my memory serves me right, is somewhere in the 15LB range. I don't think this is common but one like that will keep you comming back.
Also check out walleye unlimited clubs on a state search and I think there is a site for the Idaho chapter there. I will probably have a couple of telephone #'s and names to contact for info. Hope all of this helps. Good Luck. What part of Idaho are you considering? some great steelhead and Salmon fishing awaits anyone who get near there. I spend quite a few winter days on the Clearwater River fishing for the Big "B" run steelies that come up there(average 12-16#'s with quite a few 18-22 each season!!! and then there are the chinooks in the spring/summer - great stuff. RJ in Montana...

[CarlBob]

Thanks for the replies. I will be in the Twin Falls area. On the map the only big water I see is the American Falls Resevoir near Pocatello. That doesnt seem to far. Are there any eyes in that water?
I cant seem to find the Salmon Falls res. on my map. Well, if I get lonesome for walleyes I guess I can always drive back to Minnesota for vacation.

[mlc]

American Falls is located just down the freeway a bit from Salmon Falls. Salmon Falls is located just out of Twin Falls if my memory serves me right. You would be moving to the only town in Idaho with a walleye hatchery near it.

You do NOT have to drive all of the way back to find great walleye fishing. You go the opposite direction and hook-up with the Columbia River. Fish that and you may never want to go back home. I believe the Columbia River had the distinction of being labeled the mostly likely place in America to catch an 'eye over 10 lbs.

Perhaps you can take a pre-job trip to Twin Falls and check out the surrounding area.

Later,
mlc

[bigvic]

I can tell you from experience, Stay in MN, if Eyes are your sole passion. I used to live in MI, so I once was spoiled as you are now. I have resided both in SW and SE Idaho. There are three lakes(oops...reservoirs)in the whole ##### state, Salmon Falls, Oakley and Oneida . From Twin Falls, direction and driving distance is: Salmon Falls South. 25mi, Oakley SE. 75mi and Onieda SE 180mi. Salmon Falls is my favorite and by the way, state record was caught here in the early 90's, 16/17pounder, something like that. The res also has German Browns, Rainbows, Kokanee, SM Bass, Perch and Panfish. Its fairly scenic, desertlike with sheer cliffs and would probably be my only Eye destination on a regular basis. Above all, knowing what MN is like this area is shocker if you are not used very few trees, sage deserts and hot, dry summers. On the other hand you can be on top of a 9000ft mountain, surrounded by pine trees and alpine lakes in 30 minutes. Its definitely a unique area. If I was you, I would visit the area before I made the decision. I can also tell you after living in NW rockies(now living in SW MT) the past 7 of 10 years, I would live nowhere else. so long.