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Idaho · Fishing
Mackay sits at the edge of the Lost River Range, and the fishing here is built around one thing: the Big Lost River.
4 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
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Mackay sits at the edge of the Lost River Range, and the fishing here is built around one thing: the Big Lost River. All four access points in the area — Garden Creek Campground, Copper Basin Guard Station, the Lost River Ranger District office corridor, and the Big Lost River Access Trail — put you on moving water in a high-desert valley that doesn't see the pressure you'd find on more famous Idaho rivers. This is river fishing, not lake fishing, so expect to work for it. You're reading currents, finding seams, and covering water on foot. The Lost River Ranger District manages the surrounding public land, which means access is generally good if you know where to park and how to read the trailheads. Garden Creek Campground gives you a base camp right near the water, which is worth knowing if you're planning more than a day trip. Copper Basin, further up the drainage, runs colder and faster and tends to fish differently than the lower stretches near town. Bring waders — wet wading is possible in late summer but the water stays cold. Check current Idaho Fish and Game regulations before you go, since rules on the Big Lost can vary by section and season.
All the listed access points — Garden Creek Campground, Copper Basin Guard Station, the Lost River Ranger District area, and the Big Lost River Access Trail — are river fishing spots on or near the Big Lost River drainage. You won't find lake or reservoir fishing in this particular set of listings, so plan your gear accordingly.
Late June through September is the most practical window once spring runoff settles down. Early season flows can be high and murky from snowmelt off the Lost River Range. Late summer and early fall typically offer clearer water and more predictable conditions, especially at spots like Copper Basin which runs colder and stays fishable later into the season.
Copper Basin Guard Station
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Wood River Group Overnight Area (tent Only)
~59 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Meadow Lake Campground
~1h 15m drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Big Wood River: Ketchum Access
~56 min drive
Moderate
Silver Creek Preserve
~60 min drive
Expert
North Fork
~56 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Carlson Lake
~45 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Easley Campground
~1h 6m drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Sawtooth National Recreation Area
~56 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Chemeketan Campground
~1h 23m drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Grouse Creek Lake
~1h 1m drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Big Lost River Access Trail
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Early morning and the two hours before dark are your best bets on moving water like this. Midday in summer can slow things down considerably, especially on exposed stretches. If you're camping at Garden Creek Campground, you're already positioned to hit the water at first light without a long drive.
The access points listed are on public land managed by the Lost River Ranger District, so independent access is straightforward for anyone comfortable navigating forest service roads and reading river water. A guide isn't required, but if you've never fished moving water before, the Big Lost River Access Trail is a reasonable starting point since it's designed to get you to the river without a lot of route-finding.
Idaho Fish and Game regulations apply, and rules on the Big Lost River can vary by section — things like gear restrictions, catch limits, and season dates are worth confirming directly on the Idaho Fish and Game website before your trip. Don't rely on last year's rules; regulations on specific river sections do get updated.
