Island Park Reservoir

Island Park Reservoir is located in some of Idaho's most beautiful and unique country. This 7000 acre reservoir is on U.S. Highway 20, about 30 miles north of Ashton, and only 25 miles west of Yellowstone National Park. The reservoir was constructed in 1938 as an irrigation storage facility, and has added to the diverse fishing opportunities of the area.

Access on the east end of the reservoir near the dam is excellent. Camping facilities, boat ramps and areas for shoreline fishing are all available. West end access is limited to one campground and ramp. Some shoreline fishing is also available in this area.

Trout and kokanee provide the base of the Island Park fishery. Rainbow and rainbow/cutthroat hybrids are the most popular for anglers, with kokanee a close second. Brook trout and whitefish round out the game fish populations. Lahontan cutthroat have been stocked to take advantage of the abundant prey base and to provide a future trophy fishery.

Techniques
To still fish for trout you need only basic equipment, a medium weight rod, with matching reel loaded with 4-6 lb. line, a swivel, sinkers, and some number 8-10 snelled hooks. A bobber is optional. Bait the hook with a worm and marsh-mallow and fish near the bottom. With this set up, you may hook a few kokanee early in the morning as well.

Trolling for trout and kokanee is a popular and effective method at Island Park. Trout can be caught by slowly trolling spinners, spoons or rooster tail lures. If fishing for kokanee, which are found at deeper levels, anglers will want to add pop-gear, equipped with spoons or spinners such as the always popular wedding ring spinner.

More experienced anglers may try trolling with streamer flies. Leech patterns, or nymph imitations of the current emerging hatch is a good bet.

Fishing from a float tube is also popular, especially for fly anglers. Local fishing shops can give you tips on what patterns are currently working.

Long Island Park winters make for great ice fishing. Many choose to access the lake by snowmobile or cross country skis since roads access can be difficult.

Ice fishing is an easy and inexpensive way to extend the fishing season. However, always remember to check ice carefully. Island Park can be dangerous due to fluctuating water level under the ice. It is also common for there to be standing water on top of the ice so wet weather boots should be worn.

Outfit yourself with some short rods, an ice auger and scoop, tear drop jigs tipped with maggots or wax worms, load it on a light sled, and your're ready to ice fish.