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Western Stillwaters: Henry's Lake

By Bob Jones

At Henrys Lake, the trout seem to be five pounds at birth, then just get bigger! Find out how to fish this great stillwater. Includes map.

magine a fishery where 90% of the fish caught are over 5 lbs., where you can fish for four different species of trout, where it's big enough that you can avoid the crowds, where you can fish throughout the season (not just spring or fall), where you can find scenic marvels, and where you can reach a number of other blue-ribbon fisheries within an hour's drive. The impossible dream? Not at all! You can make your dream a reality at Henry's Lake in eastern Idaho.

Located in a slight depression at 6,470 ft. on the Continental Divide, Henry's Lake is surrounded by the Centennial Mountains. It is an expansive but relatively shallow lake--nearly 6,500 acres (over 12 square miles) of fertile weed beds interspersed with underwater channels and submerged natural springs.

The water was dammed in the early 20's for irrigation purposes and now averages 12 ft. in depth (26 ft. maximum). As the water warms over the course of the summer, the weed beds expand and fish seek the natural springs and inlets.

These springs are found around the shoreline at Staley Springs, Pintail Point, Kelly Springs, the Cliffs, and along the northshore. Inlets are found at Timber Creek, Targhee Creek, Howard Creek, Duck Creek, Hope Creek, and Kenny Creek. The outlet of lake is the Henry's Fork of the Snake River.

Species

The Henry's Lake fishery is a varied one. Brookies, cutthroats (the majority), browns (relatively few), and cutthroat/rainbow hybrids all grow in excess of 5 lbs. It is not uncommon to find fish over 30 inches. Smaller forage fish include dace, shiners, and chubs.

In the past, the state stocked most of the fish, but in recent years it has favored natural propagation. It's estimated that 70-80 percent of the catch today is wild (if not native) fish.

Best Times to Fish

Henry's Lake is one of the few trophy waters that is productive for the circuit, from the opening in May thru October (weather permitting). It fishes well from dawn to dusk.

Access

Henry's Lake is located at a crossroads close to the Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming borders. Paved highways border the east and north of the lake. An airstrip is located just to the northeast (commercial air service and car rentals are available in West Yellowstone, Bozeman, Idaho Falls, Jackson Hole, and in Cody).

Fishing access is available on all shores by road. There are boat ramps on all shores: public ramps at the County Boat Dock in the northwest and at Henry's Lake State Park in the southeast; an informal launch by the Cliffs at the end of the BLM access road on the south shore; and private launch (and boat rentals) at Wild Rose Resort on the north shore and at Staley Springs Resort on the northwest shore.

Facilities/Services

Accommodations and camping are available at the lake and nearby in West Yellowstone (13 miles to the northeast), plus along Hwy 20/191 in Island Park (5 miles south). Camping facilities are found at Henry's Lake State Park, at the County Boat Dock (Bill Frame County Park), and at the Red Rock RV & Camping Park about a mile south of the south shore Cliffs area.

Lodging and full RV hookups, marinas and restaurants are at Jared's Wild Rose Resort (208/558-7201) and at Staley Springs Lodge (208/558-7471).

Valley View RV Park and General Store is close to the junction of Hwys 87 and 20/191 northeast of the lake and about a mile east of the east shore. Gasoline and propane are found at the Amoco and Sinclair stations in the same vicinity.

Stillwater Organisms and Fly Patterns

The primary foods eaten by trout in Henry's Lake are in Westfly's hatch table for the lake (click on IDAHO, the select Hatches, the Henry's Lake). Some of the fly patterns are available locally (you can even get them at service stations), but others may be hard to obtain anywhere else;

NOTE: Good fly selections are found at the commercial lodges and RV facilities around the lake. Professional fly shops are located in Island Park (Last Chance) and in West Yellowstone.

Tips

1. Early in the season, the northern half of the lake is the most productive. Fish the southern half late in the season.
2. Early and late in the season, the shallow water near shore is most productive.
3. By mid-summer you'll have the most action around inlets, natural springs, and among the many channels in deeper weed beds.
4. This is a classic sub-surface fishery. Dry flies have limited use here.
5. Early and late in the season, most fish are in the top six feet of water; use an intermediate line. As the water warms, trout move deeper, so a Wet Cell II or equivalent is appropriate.
6. Don't be shy: watch for the clusters of boats and tubers, and make inquiries at nearby fly shops to find out where fish are being caught.

Special Regulations

Henry's Lake has a special season that opens the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and ends October 31. Fishing hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.Always check the official, published regulations as well as special postings.

Uploaded 07/07/1999.

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