Starting in the northern section along the Boise River drainage are three smallmouth impoundments: Anderson Ranch Reservoir, followed by Arrowrock Reservoir, and Lucky Peak Reservoir. All three of these human-made lakes have good populations of smallmouth bass. The Boise River drainage on to the Snake River is little fished, but is well stocked with most warm-water species including both species of bass, crappie, bluegill, and two species of catfish. Another drainage in Southwestern Idaho is the Payette River. The pristine beginnings of the Payette River tumble down through the Payette National Forest enroute to the farm valley below carrying many species of fish which include the mighty smallmouth. From Little Payette Lake in the northern section to Cascade Lake and Black Canyon Reservoir in the south, the Payette River drainage is another under-rated, under-fished haven for the hefty bronzeback. Both the Payette and the Boise rivers drain into the Snake only a few miles apart, making the lowland farms they meander through ideal locations for all kind of wildlife, especially water foul.
The Southwestern Idaho area is the largest of the seven areas and has some of the most numerous and productive small lakes in Idaho beginning with C. Ben Ross Reservoir in the north to Spangler Reservoir, Paddock Valley Reservoir, and Lake Lowell heading south. All have hardy populations of Largemouth with a few smallmouth thrown in for good measure. All of these drainage's and the Weiser River which also drains in to the Snake are sure bets for the angler who knows his warm-water species.
For more information about the southwest region of Idaho, visit our Southwest Idaho Information Page or our Southwest Idaho Services and Accomodations Page.