Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir

The Lake

Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir sits out in the desert near the Idaho-Nevada border. Salmon Falls is the premier Walleye fishery in Idaho. The Fish and Game Department keeps the lake well stocked with Rainbow as well.

The dam was constructed in 1910 to provide irrigation for farmers. Driving across the one lane dam is an experience in itself, and not for the light-hearted. The dam looks 95 years old. It dams a very deep canyon with vertical basalt walls. A great thing about this dam that is a boon to fishermen, is that the dam is built so that the reservoir will not drain completely dry! As we know, many of Idaho's reservoirs are regularly drained down to the last drop for farmer's irrigation, disregarding the needs of the fisheries and recreational users.

Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir is 12 miles long and covers 3500 acres. The lake has many cliff and shelf areas for varied fish habitat. It also offers plenty of deep areas, over 100 feet in depth.

Arguably the best Walleye fishery in the state the lake has produced many walleye in excess of 10 pounds. The state record of 17 lbs. 20 oz. was caught here by Bill Sorensen of Kuna in 1996. It is said that bigger trophy Walleyes lurk in the depths.

The Rainbow fishery is excellent with large plantings during the year. Walleye fishermen complain they can't get past the trout, to get to the Walleye. Boaters and bank fishermen limited out easily during the year of 2004 on trout.

Bring your own shade in the summer.

Get to Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir by driving South on Hwy 30 from Twin Falls, turn right at Rogerson. Go about 8 miles on Three Creek Road and you will reach the dam and campground.

The Fish

For Rainbow trout troll Rapalas or Wedding Ring setups for the fish in the 12 to 16 inch range. Occasional fish more than 10 pounds are harvested. Bank fishermen do well on the usual stuff.

Walleyes seek deeper water during the day to get out of the sunshine and then come out in the evening and night to feed in the shallows, near the sandbars, shoals, ledges, and rocky points. They were introduced here in 1974 and are doing better every year. Spottail shiners were planted as a forage fish for Walleye.

Fish the shallow windswept areas for foraging Walleye. Try the ledges and cliff drop offs. Big Rapalas and Old Storm Thundersticks in a perch or shad color work well. Chartreuse is also good. Some folks jig with 1/8 to 1/2 oz. jigs in blue, black, green, and tip them with a meal worm or worm.

Ice fishing is possible in January and February.

The reservoir also holds Brown trout, Chinook and Kokanee salmon, Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, and Smallmouth bass. Yellow Perch populations are starting to catch on and will soon be a fun fishery.

Fishing Reports for Salmon Falls Creek