Idaho Fish Report

The only ramp usable at Lost Creek Lake is the Takelma ramp operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers on the NW side of the lake. As conditions at area lakes and reservoirs continue to deteriorate due to low water levels, the Takelma ramp will continue to be a place where larger vessels can launch. However, there is no dock here. 

Trout fishing should still be good, but August can be a great month for bass as well.  Trolling a wedding ring will do best for trout. Make sure to have a flasher in your arsenal and switch things up if fish are slow to bite. 

Trolling from a boat will produce the best trout fishing at Lost Creek Reservoir. Target upstream of the Hwy 62 bridge, near the dam, or up the Lost Creek arm. The lake received ample stockings earlier in the spring and summer, and there are plenty of holdover trout available. Bank anglers will want to target areas where they can get to deeper or colder water such as along the dam or the tower or above Hwy 62 bridge.

Reports of trout with copepods continue to come in. Late summer can be when copepod loads are at their highest as trout congregate more in cold water areas. The best thing that anglers can do is harvest these fish. They are still edible, as the copepods can be scrapped off the fish before cooking.

Bass will be found closer to shore for the bank angler. Target the steep banks along the south shore or NE shore with Texas rigged nightcrawlers or plastics. Crank baits and surface lures will be best early in the morning.

Joseph Stuart Recreation Area is managed by Jackson County Parks. Currently no campfires are allowed in campground loop D, and the boat ramp is closed due to low water. There may be fire personnel camped in some of the open areas of Joseph Stuart Park, but the rest of the campground is open. Day use fees for this facility apply. If you’re a frequent user here, a Jackson County Parks season pass is $40 and covers many other local Rogue Valley fishing destinations, as well.

The lake continues to drop and is 41 percent full, with an elevation of 1,803.6.9 feet. The lake surface temperature is 75 degrees. Wildfire smoke is thick in the area at times. Water surface temperatures may drop another degree with recent wildfire smoke.  

Anglers can get the latest surface temperatures by calling the US Army Corps Lost Creek Lake and Applegate Reservoir projects information line at 1-800-472-2434