Henry’s Lake

Henry’s Lake Fishing Report, January 4th, 2025

Henry’s Lake Mortality Study by Nate Tillotson IDF&G Fisheries Biologist

We conducted a post-release ice fishing mortality study on Henrys Lake. Here is a summary of our ice fishing mortality study We used anglers of all skill levels to capture 161 trout through the ice at Henrys Lake – all using the same bait and barbed hooks. We held those fish in spawn shed at the Henrys Lake hatchery for three weeks to monitor post-release mortality before releasing them back into the lake. At the same time, we allowed 151 trout to swim up our fish ladder and into the spawn shed voluntarily to act as our control group. None of the fish in the control group died, and only one of the fish in the ice fishing group died. That’s 100% survival of our control group, and 99.4% survival of our treatment group. The only fish that died in the treatment group was dropped on the ice a couple of time by the angler, leading us to believe that handling is much more important than whether or not the fish was caught and released through the ice. Regardless, the difference in mortality between the groups was negligible, and we can confidently say that catch-and-release ice fishing does not influence trout mortality in Henrys Lake. The same logic applies to the regular season fishing; pre-release handling impacts mortality. So be gentle when releasing trout any time anywhere!

If harvest doesn’t contribute to trout population declines, and post-release mortality doesn’t contribute to trout population declines, I can confidently say that the extended fishing season on Henrys Lake does not contribute to trout population declines.

Henry’s Lake, November 30th, 2024

The lake has ice thick enough to safely hold human weight. So ice fishing can begin.

Flies to fish:

Tungsten Fly Ice Jigs

Henry’s Lake, November 16th, 2024

The lake is famed for having uneven ice thickness.  So it is prudent to wait until ice is safe on the lake before venturing onto it.

Henry’s Lake, November 9th, 2024

The lake is in the process of freezing over totally. There is ice along the shoreline that melts back in places during our sunlit days. Unsettled weather is predicted to begin late this weekend, and that will finish the icing over job for sure.

Henry’s Lake, October 20th, 2024

The recent spell of stormy weather is just what is needed to bring good autumn fishing to the lake.  Streamer, medium sized wooly bugger, fly rod jig, and wet flies suspended under an indicator will all become productive. The State Park offers shoreline fishing as well as good launch facilities, and the Bill Fromm County boat dock does the same. Watch the weather!

Flies to try:

• Burkus’ Henry’s Lake Thin Mint
• Jig Bugger

Henry’s Lake, September 28th, 2024

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has issued a warning for the west side of Henry’s Lake where high amounts of toxic matter producing algae are present. These toxins can be harmful to people, pets, and livestock, so a much as possible, avoid contact with the water. The arrival of weather cold enough to reduce this danger is uncertain.

Henry’s Lake, September 21st, 2024

Pleasant October Day

Last week’s stormy weather much helped the lake to offer better fishing. Water has cooled such that trout are moving toward shallow water to forage around submerged vegetation which is richer in food forms than what is in deeper water. Look for shore line fishing to pick up as we move into October. Floating lines to present patterns under an indicator and intermediate lines for offering leech, jig and streamer patterns of choice will be the best fare for fishing success.

Henry’s Lake, July 27th, 2024

Fishing on Henry’s Lake may be relatively slow, but trout population and status research conducted by IDF&G has been great. The studies headed by biologist Nate Tillotson have been published and are available to the public on the IDF&G’s News Release web site. This is an extensive study and results of it are overall good with a few not so good findings (i e. Utah chub population). If you are a Henry’s Lake fishing fan, take time to read it!

Henry’s Lake, June 26th, 2024

Same story: Creek mouths and west side springs are best places. Be there early in the day before wind picks up or in the evening after wind dies down.  This will be much the same strategy through the summer. See Bill Schiess’s book Fishing Henry’s Lake for best fly patterns at any given time.  Damsel fly hatch should begin soon, but not with the peak intensity of past years.