Idaho

Big Lost River at Howell Ranch

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Current River Rating

Fair · 55

Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.

Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.

Partial water evidence · Medium confidence

Should I Go?

Wait

Timing Outlook

This timing outlook is informational only; current river conditions remain Fair.

Why

  • Current conditions do not support a reliable fishing window.
  • Water temperature is unavailable.

Favorable Factors

  • Recent precipitation has been light.
  • Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.

Current Readings

Flow
106 CFS
Gage Height
1.02 ft
Water Temperature
Not available
Observation Time
Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 AM

Updated recently · USGS station 13120500 · Direct monitoring location

Readings from past 7 Days

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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.

Better Nearby Options

Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…

Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.

Changing Conditions Advisory

Short-term rainfall and flow-change signals

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Weather Near Gauge

Current Weather

Overcast

Temperature

50°F

Feels like

46°F

Wind

2 mph W

Wind gust

5 mph

Current precipitation

0.00 in

Updated

Sep 5, 2026, 1:45 AM

Recent Rainfall

Estimated precipitation near this gauge

Last 6 hours

0.00 in

Last 24 hours

0.00 in

Last 48 hours

0.00 in

Little recent rainfall near this river.

Next 24 Hours

  • Sat 2 AM

    Overcast

    Temp 49°F

    Chance 11%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 3 mph

  • Sat 6 AM

    Clear

    Temp 43°F

    Chance 2%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 5 mph

  • Sat 10 AM

    Clear

    Temp 54°F

    Chance 1%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 2 mph

  • Sat 2 PM

    Mostly clear

    Temp 69°F

    Chance 3%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 14 mph

  • Sat 6 PM

    Clear

    Temp 68°F

    Chance 2%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 14 mph

  • Sat 10 PM

    Clear

    Temp 56°F

    Chance 3%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 8 mph

Four-Day Forecast

  • Sat, Sep 5

    Overcast

    High 70°F / Low 42°F

    Chance 11%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 25 mph

  • Sun, Sep 6

    Overcast

    High 72°F / Low 49°F

    Chance 37%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 28 mph

  • Mon, Sep 7

    Drizzle

    High 57°F / Low 43°F

    Chance 78%

    Precip 0.03 in

    Max gust 21 mph

  • Tue, Sep 8

    Overcast

    High 67°F / Low 38°F

    Chance 7%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 12 mph

Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.

Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.

Weather data: Open-Meteo

Historical Flow

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Fishing Overview

Big Lost River at Howell Ranch near Chilly, Idaho. Monitoring-Backed from USGS 13120500 via the accepted air-derived river-trout path after trout-profile completion.

Fishery Profile

Documented species you may encounter at Big Lost River.

High confidenceLast verified: Aug 21, 2026

Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations

Fishery overview

The Big Lost at Howell Ranch is the Mackay / Chilly trout reach. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 13120500 (live discharge and stage) using the accepted air-derived river-trout path. IDFG Upper Snake special rules include winter catch-and-release for trout and whitefish and a summer trout limit with whitefish catch-and-release. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.

Target species

  • Brown Trout

    Salmo trutta

    Expectation
    Primary
    Population
    Wild
    Native status
    introduced
    Confidence
    High confidence

    IDFG Upper Snake Big Lost special rules, including whitefish catch-and-release. USGS 13120500 Howell Ranch. Mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) are an IDFG game fish in many Idaho drainages and are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID. Confirm current whitefish rules separately.

    Source: Idaho Department of Fish and Game

  • Rainbow Trout

    Oncorhynchus mykiss

    Expectation
    Primary
    Population
    Unknown
    Native status
    introduced
    Confidence
    High confidence

    IDFG Upper Snake Big Lost special rules, including whitefish catch-and-release. USGS 13120500 Howell Ranch. Mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) are an IDFG game fish in many Idaho drainages and are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID. Confirm current whitefish rules separately.

    Source: Idaho Department of Fish and Game

  • Brook Trout

    Salvelinus fontinalis

    Expectation
    Present
    Population
    Wild
    Native status
    introduced
    Confidence
    High confidence

    IDFG Upper Snake Big Lost winter catch-and-release excepts brook trout. Confirm current rules.

    Source: Idaho Department of Fish and Game

Fishery characteristics

Composition
Wild
Great Lakes tributary
No
Flow regime
Mixed flow regime

High-desert / mountain Big Lost River at Howell Ranch near Chilly, a renowned spring-influenced trout river.

Best seasons

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall

Common techniques

  • Dry flies
  • Fly fishing
  • Nymphing
  • Spinning
  • Streamers

Access and Public Fishing Rights

Public fishing is documented by IDFG Fishing Planner. Catalog coordinates are the USGS Howell Ranch point, not a private-ranch launch pin. Respect posted private land.

Stocking information

IDFG Upper Snake Region manages the Big Lost as a trout fishery with a whitefish catch-and-release exception. Confirm any current official stocking separately.

Official sources

IDFG Upper Snake 2025-2027: Big Lost River and tributaries — December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekend trout catch-and-release (except brook trout) and whitefish catch-and-release; Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30 trout limit 6 and whitefish catch-and-release. Confirm current rules. Do not remap to Arco 13132500.

Hatch Match

No destination-specific hatch data is currently available.

General fly suggestions

  • Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
  • Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
  • Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
  • Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.

These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.

Location and Access

USGS monitoring location

Custer, Idaho

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The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.

River Details

County

Custer

Management Category

Wild trout river

Regulation Scope

Big Lost River at Howell Ranch

Regulation Summary

Big Lost at Howell Ranch: IDFG Upper Snake Big Lost special rules. Confirm current 2025-2027 Fishing Seasons & Rules.

Target Species

brown-trout, rainbow-trout, brook-trout

Access, Parking, and Regulations

Verified access notes and official resources for Big Lost River at Howell Ranch. This is StrikeTracks guidance — always confirm with official sources.

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