St. Charles Creek is located located on the Northwest "corner" of Bear Lake in southern Idaho. There are about seven miles of fishable creek along the main asphalt road until you get to the three main tributaries: North fork (the main stem, which I believe has a dirt road along it), Middle Fork and South Fork. The main canyon drive is a beautiful little thing that leads to Minnetonka Cave, where guided tours are given. The creek is about six to ten feet wide in most places with pockets and pounge pools the predominate fishing features.
There is a healthy population of rainbow and brook trout, with smaller numbers of cutthroat and cuttbow. The largest fish caught was a 15" rainbow, with most rainbow in the 12" size and brookies going about 6"-8". There was relatively little surface action, but the fish were eager to hit #8 stimulators and #12 beetles.
Watch out for mosquitoes! If I didn’t know better, I could have mistakenly thought we were fishing in Alaska. The lower places we stopped at (just above the lowest campground, then again about a mile farther) were infested with the buggers. This is the first time I have ever had mosquitoes land on my casting hand while I’ve been casting. I was constantly swatting at my face and neck. The higher we got, the fewer mosquitoes, but still too many. Take triple protection DEET!
Also, beware of the cowpatties. The shear amount of cow crap scattered about the road and through the meadowy areas alonf the creek was staggering. Good thing we were wearing wading boots.
Be prepared to bushwhack if you want more places to fish since there were relatively few open areas.
We only fished about the first five miles. I would like to fish closer to the confluence then up the North Fork. Hopefully there would be a healthy population of cutthroat somewhere up the canyon, and fewer mosquitoes. It seems like the largest/most fish we caught were along the mile or so stretch we fished near the lowest campground.
I believe there are three fee campgrounds: a lower one, one a little more than half way up, and one close to the end of the pavement.
I grew up fishing that brushy thing. We used to camp up in the middle campground (Porcupine). It used to be packed with Bear Lake Cutts. Nothing very large. Once in a while a spawner would be up in there and I’ve witnessed my brother and a couple of nephews take 22-inchers. I’ve never been that lucky. The Fish & Game started palnting tons of rainbows in there back in the 70′s and early 80′s. I think they are now more concerned with the natives and I think the stocking has stopped. I would love to see it turned into a prime native water. I’ve noticed the same thing as you, the higher you go up, the less fish and the smaller the fish. I haven’t seen fish in the top water for a long time. My dad has a summer home down on the highway in town on the east side.
Robert,
I fished the creek as a boy once with some friends who have a cabin at St. Charles (name of Bunnell, on the west side of the highway, just barely south of town). But that was 28 years ago and I really don’t remember the conditions or the fishing. I’m just surprised I didn’t have ticks or dengue fever, or something (nasty cows). Those poor cutts hardlt stand a chance with everything else going on there.
There is a little secret to fishing the lower stretches above the first campground. I’ll let you in on it, but not on an open comment board like this.
I remember that canyon when it was a dirt road, long before the Forest Service decided to popularize the cave, make all the campgrounds, and turn it into a regular nightmare. Cows, I think, have always been up there. It used to be an unknown family get away. Now, I’m afraid, it will never be the same. I do think they could create a nice cutthroat fishery but it would take some work.
One time, they actually went in and did a control burn on the lower river below the first campground and cleared out a bunch of the brush. It opened the creek up a bit more but all I was ever catching down there was very small cutts and brook trout. That was years ago and it looks to be grown over again.
I used to fish Bloomington and Paris creeks too. Again, lots of fun when young and adventuresome.
Robert,
Feel free to email me (click on the “about me” button and there is an email form).
I wanted to head to Bloomington when we went last week, but I didn’t. Is it just as bad as St Charles is as far as brush?
Visited St. Charles over the weekend. Stayed in the first (lower) campground.
I wondered if the creek had gone dry recently or something?
I didn’t plan to fish (didn’t have an Idaho license either) but I didn’t see any fish rising.
A few friends tried and didn’t see any fish either.
Good to hear there are some in there. Beautiful little creek.
The mosquitoes were gone by the way. So were any other campers. After Labor Day I guess?
Great Website by the way.
Jake
I think there is a canal a couple hundred yards or so above the lower campground (I could be wrong), so they may have drawn some down–but I’m not familiar enough with the creek to know if that is something they might actually do. I’m glad the mosquitoes were gone–nasty buggers! If you are in the area again, definitely fish it. I like fishing it except for the mosquitoes. Maybe next year I’ll try to get there a littl earlier in the summer.
I’ve really been wanting to check this stream out. Skeetos don’t sound like a lot of fun though! I really like your blog!
Nathan, I’m glad you enjoy the blog. I always wanted to refish the creek (I fished it with a spinning rod about 30 years ago). For what we got, the skeeters just weren’t worth it though.