Redfish Lake

Just south of Stanley in Custer County, Idaho is an alpine lake called Redfish Lake. Within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, it is the largest lake. On the northern end of the coast, Redfish Lake Lodge offers lodging options including rooms, cottages, and boat rentals for water recreation. There are many hiking paths across the region, some of which go all the way to the Sawtooth Wilderness.

On Redfish Lake, the U.S. Forest Service has built a few amenities for water activities, hiking, and camping while largely preserving the Sawtooth Mountains' natural beauty. Redfish Lake Lodge, a seasonal hotel and marina on the north side, provides hikers and tourists with a cross-lake ferry service during the summer.

The magnificent sockeye salmon that once returned from the Pacific Ocean in such large numbers that the lake shimmered red during the breeding season gave rise to the lake's name. Only a small portion of the wild sockeye salmon currently manage to cross the numerous hydroelectric dams on their way back to the lake to breed. When fishing, sockeye must not be the primary target and must be released right away if they are captured.

Location: Custer County, Idaho