Winchester Lake State Park, Winchester, Idaho
I was fishing Idaho’s Winchester Lake when what had appeared to be part of a submerged tree
limb suddenly moved. I stood transfixed, not believing what I had seen. It occurred to me that
the “limb” was one of the lake’s more mysterious denizens, a tiger muskie. Idaho Fish and Game
(IFG) has stocked these sterile pike/muskie hybrids in some of the state’s lakes, including
Winchester. Reaching perhaps 4 feet or more in length, these effective predators keep things
interesting for anglers. They are rarely caught, so when an angler does hook one, the event is
newsworthy. More often than not, the accounts that make the local news end in tales about “the one
that got away.”
Luckily, Winchester Lake, about 45 minutes south of Lewiston via U.S. Highway 95, offers much
more than tiger muskies. It is a varied fishery that has something for everyone. Indeed, IFG has designated this lake as one of its “Family Fishing
Waters”—waters that are managed specifically to provide opportunities for anglers of all ages and abilities. Winchester Lake is among the best of
them, with summertime education and entertainment activities presented by the upbeat staff at Winchester Lake State Park. Fishing tournaments
are held several times a year and are fun for all ages; many times almost everyone that participates receives a prize.
In addition to tiger muskie, Winchester Lake holds largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, and trout. With such\
variety, anglers can easily target any one species, yet still never know what kind of fish might hammer a fly. I have spent hours at this lake casting
foam spiders and Pheasant Tail Nymphs around the edges, catching bluegill after bluegill averaging the size of a large man’s hand. Occasionally,
a bass or trout feels left out and attacks the fly. It can be brainless fun (which some would argue perfectly suits me). I must admit, though, that
the real charm of this 100-acre lake, with its ready bank access, relaxed rules, and a seemingly never-ending supply of eager fish, is that kids find
easy fishing here. I can’t imagine a better place to introduce a child to fly angling.
The floating structures on the lake are actually components of an aeration system used to deepen the cold-water column so that fish are better able
to survive the summer. Casting around the aerators can be good, because they provide shade and structure for fish.
Wildlife abounds at Winchester. Ospreys and bald eagles vie for food and often steal the show when they compete for the same fish. White-tailed
deer are common, and during the fall, elk can be heard bugling in the surrounding timber. Coyotes sing during mornings and evenings, and an astute
listener might even hear timber wolves howling—they are inhabitants of the nearby Wolf Education and Research Center, wolfcenter.org. Once while
fishing Winchester, I heard wild turkeys gobbling from three different directions.
Winchester Lake State Park, (208) 924-7563, provides 69 camping spots for both trailer and tent camping, along with four yurts, in a well-maintained,
timber-shaded camping area. Paved paths around the park and lake are perfect for biking, and canoe rentals are offered during the summer.
Reservations are recommended for the campsites and yurts.
limb suddenly moved. I stood transfixed, not believing what I had seen. It occurred to me that
the “limb” was one of the lake’s more mysterious denizens, a tiger muskie. Idaho Fish and Game
(IFG) has stocked these sterile pike/muskie hybrids in some of the state’s lakes, including
Winchester. Reaching perhaps 4 feet or more in length, these effective predators keep things
interesting for anglers. They are rarely caught, so when an angler does hook one, the event is
newsworthy. More often than not, the accounts that make the local news end in tales about “the one
that got away.”
Luckily, Winchester Lake, about 45 minutes south of Lewiston via U.S. Highway 95, offers much
more than tiger muskies. It is a varied fishery that has something for everyone. Indeed, IFG has designated this lake as one of its “Family Fishing
Waters”—waters that are managed specifically to provide opportunities for anglers of all ages and abilities. Winchester Lake is among the best of
them, with summertime education and entertainment activities presented by the upbeat staff at Winchester Lake State Park. Fishing tournaments
are held several times a year and are fun for all ages; many times almost everyone that participates receives a prize.
In addition to tiger muskie, Winchester Lake holds largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, and trout. With such\
variety, anglers can easily target any one species, yet still never know what kind of fish might hammer a fly. I have spent hours at this lake casting
foam spiders and Pheasant Tail Nymphs around the edges, catching bluegill after bluegill averaging the size of a large man’s hand. Occasionally,
a bass or trout feels left out and attacks the fly. It can be brainless fun (which some would argue perfectly suits me). I must admit, though, that
the real charm of this 100-acre lake, with its ready bank access, relaxed rules, and a seemingly never-ending supply of eager fish, is that kids find
easy fishing here. I can’t imagine a better place to introduce a child to fly angling.
The floating structures on the lake are actually components of an aeration system used to deepen the cold-water column so that fish are better able
to survive the summer. Casting around the aerators can be good, because they provide shade and structure for fish.
Wildlife abounds at Winchester. Ospreys and bald eagles vie for food and often steal the show when they compete for the same fish. White-tailed
deer are common, and during the fall, elk can be heard bugling in the surrounding timber. Coyotes sing during mornings and evenings, and an astute
listener might even hear timber wolves howling—they are inhabitants of the nearby Wolf Education and Research Center, wolfcenter.org. Once while
fishing Winchester, I heard wild turkeys gobbling from three different directions.
Winchester Lake State Park, (208) 924-7563, provides 69 camping spots for both trailer and tent camping, along with four yurts, in a well-maintained,
timber-shaded camping area. Paved paths around the park and lake are perfect for biking, and canoe rentals are offered during the summer.
Reservations are recommended for the campsites and yurts.
