Henry's Lake
Fremont County · Idaho
E Idaho, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Rainbow, Cutthroat, and Brown.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 06/05/26
Surface water warming into the mid-50s but the June 15 opener is still 11 days out — prime pre-season scouting territory. Weekend highs pushing 75°F will accelerate ice clearing and early chironomid activity in the shallows. Callibaetis and damselfly emergence should be well underway by opening day if this warming trend continues. Monday's weather shift brings cooler temps and light precip, potentially slowing the warming but setting up stable conditions for the opener.
- Conditions: Surface temps climbing toward 55°F range with weekend warming. Ice clearing accelerated, weed edges becoming accessible for pre-season observation.
- Hatches: Callibaetis emergence beginning in warming shallows. Damselfly nymphs active along weed beds — classic Henry's Lake pre-opener activity.
- Water Temp: Mid-50s surface temps by weekend — crossing the threshold for sustained chironomid and early mayfly activity in protected bays.
- Best Window: Opens June 15. Current conditions suggest strong opener potential with established insect activity and accessible weed structure.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Lake
- Best months: May–Oct (closed seasonally; check IDFG regulations)
Henry's Lake in eastern Idaho, just outside Yellowstone's western boundary, is one of the West's premier still-water trout fisheries. Cutthroat, hybrid cutbows, and brook trout — all stocked but reaching trophy sizes thanks to the lake's exceptional shrimp-and-leech forage base. The fishery is unique: large fish (5+ lbs common, 10+ lbs caught annually) cruising shallow flats and weed-bed edges. Ice-out in May produces explosive fishing as fish move shallow to feed. Float tubes, pontoons, and small boats dominate. The lake closes through fall to protect spawning fish.
Henry's Lake regularly produces trout over 10 pounds — among the largest cutthroat hybrids documented in North America — fueled by the lake's extraordinary freshwater shrimp population.
January Outlook
Henry's Lake is frozen solid in January. The lake closes after the September 30 season end and remains iced over through spring. Ice fishing is practiced by some local anglers. The surrounding plateau is buried in deep snow.
Productive Patterns
- Not applicable — lake frozen
Tips
Henry's Lake opens June 15 after ice-out. January is for planning the Callibaetis and Damselfly season that begins in June. The lake's world-record brook trout and cutthroat-rainbow hybrids are worth the wait.
Water Notes
Lake frozen. Ice 12–24 inches. Season closes September 30 annually.
February Outlook
Still frozen. Henry's Lake is locked under ice through March or April. The high plateau at 6,400 feet receives significant winter snowfall.
Productive Patterns
- Not applicable — lake frozen
Tips
Ice fishing is possible for local anglers. Fly fishing is not applicable until ice-out. Plan the June 15 season opening.
Water Notes
Lake frozen. High plateau in deep winter.
March Outlook
Henry's Lake remains frozen in March. Ice may begin breaking up on south-facing margins by late month in mild years. The road to the lake may still require 4WD.
Productive Patterns
- Not applicable — lake mostly frozen
Tips
Ice-out timing varies significantly — early April in mild years, mid-May in deep-snow years. The lake opens for fishing June 15 regardless of ice conditions.
Water Notes
Lake mostly frozen with possible margin ice-out. Season opens June 15.
April Outlook
Ice-out begins on Henry's Lake in April. South-facing bays clear first. Some years the lake is fully open by late April; other years ice persists into May. The road opens when conditions allow.
Productive Patterns
- Leech (pre-season)
- Callibaetis Nymph
Tips
Pre-season access is available in April but the fishing season doesn't open until June 15. The lake in April is worth seeing even without a rod.
Water Notes
Ice-out progressing. Water 42–50°F. Season opens June 15.
May Outlook
Henry's Lake is fully open by mid-May in most years. The pre-season period runs through June 14. Large brook trout and cutthroat hybrids are visible in the shallows but the season doesn't open until June 15.
Productive Patterns
- Pre-season — observe only
Tips
May visits to Henry's Lake are excellent for scouting. The fish are clearly visible and the weed beds are establishing. Prepare your chironomid rigs and damselfly patterns for the June 15 opener.
Water Notes
Lake open by mid-May. Pre-season through June 14. Water 48–54°F and warming.
June Outlook
Henry's Lake opens June 15 and the fishing can be extraordinary. Large brook trout and cutthroats respond to chironomid and leech patterns.
Productive Patterns
- Chironomid Pupa
- Carey Special
- Damselfly Nymph
- Leech
Tips
Fish the weed edges and drop-offs from a float tube or pontoon boat. Chironomid fishing under an indicator is the most consistent technique. The evenings produce the best surface activity.
Water Notes
Lake opens June 15. Water cold 48–56°F in June. Ice may still be clearing in early June.
July Outlook
Prime season on Henry's Lake. Large brook trout to 5+ pounds cruise the weed edges. Callibaetis hatches produce excellent surface activity.
Productive Patterns
- Callibaetis Sparkle Dun
- Chironomid
- Damselfly
- Carey Special
Tips
The lake is large — cover water to find active fish. The northwest shore near the campgrounds is consistently productive. Morning callibaetis hatches can produce spectacular dry fly fishing.
Water Notes
Water 56–63°F. Wind is a constant factor — plan early morning sessions. Afternoon winds can make float tube fishing difficult.
August Outlook
Excellent lake fishing continues with consistent callibaetis and evening surface activity. Brook trout in prime condition before fall spawning.
Productive Patterns
- Callibaetis
- Spruce Moth
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Chironomid
Tips
Evening rising activity picks up in August. Fish the calm, protected bays for the most consistent surface feeding. A boat or float tube is essential for best access.
Water Notes
Water 58–65°F. Prime summer conditions. Wind patterns dictate where you fish on a given day.
September Outlook
September is one of Henry's Lake's finest months. Brook trout begin staging for spawning and are aggressive. The lake closes to fishing at the end of September.
Productive Patterns
- Streamer
- Leech
- Chironomid
- Callibaetis
Tips
Brook trout are at their most colorful and aggressive in September. Work the inlet areas and weed beds. The lake closes at month's end — make the most of the final weeks.
Water Notes
Water 54–60°F and cooling. The lake closes at the end of September. Brook trout spawning activity begins.
October Outlook
The Henry's Lake season closes September 30. The lake may still have some open water in early October but fishing is not permitted after season end. Fall colors on the plateau are spectacular.
Productive Patterns
- Season closed September 30
Tips
The September 30 closure protects the lake's spawning brook trout. The fall colors around Henry's Lake are extraordinary. Plan next year's June 15 opener.
Water Notes
Season closed September 30. Lake cooling rapidly. Ice possible by late October.
November Outlook
Henry's Lake is closed for the season and approaching first ice. The high plateau at 6,400 feet sees winter conditions arrive in earnest in November.
Productive Patterns
- Season closed
Tips
The season ends September 30. November is winter at Henry's Lake. Ice fishing begins when ice reaches safe thickness.
Water Notes
Lake cooling and freezing. Season closed. Off season.
December Outlook
Henry's Lake is frozen or freezing in December. The high plateau is in full winter. A season well-rested, ready for the June 15 opener next year.
Productive Patterns
- Not applicable — frozen
Tips
December on the Henry's Lake plateau means deep snow and frozen water. Plan for next summer's Callibaetis and Damselfly season.
Water Notes
Lake frozen. Deep snow. Off season.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Callibaetis Callibaetis ferrugineus |
Jul | Jun, Jul, Aug | #14–16 |
|
| Damselfly Odonata spp. |
Jul | Jun, Jul, Aug | #10–14 |
|
Access & Approach
Mack's Inn and Last Chance, ID are the closest bases. Henry's Lake State Park provides the primary boat ramp. Float tubes and small craft are most effective. Idaho fishing license required. Special seasons and bag limits apply — check current IDFG regulations before fishing.
Nearby Fly Shops
- TroutHunt
- Henry's Fork Anglers
- Big Sky Anglers
- Madison River Outfitters
- Blue Ribbon Flies
- The Tackle Shop
Regulations & License
Fishing in Idaho requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Idaho fishing regulations & license →
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About Current
Henry's Lake conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
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