Redfish Lake

Redfish Lake
Redfish Lake and the Sawtooth Range
Redfish Lake
Redfish Lake
Location Custer County, Idaho
Coordinates 44°7′N 114°56′W / 44.117°N 114.933°W / 44.117; -114.933Coordinates: 44°7′N 114°56′W / 44.117°N 114.933°W / 44.117; -114.933
Type Glacial
Primary inflows Redfish Lake Creek
Primary outflows Redfish Lake Creek
to Salmon River
Basin countries United States
Max. length 4.5 mi (7.2 km)
Max. width .72 mi (1.16 km)
Max. depth 387 ft (118 m)
Shore length1 11 mi (18 km)
Surface elevation 6,547 ft (1,996 m)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Redfish Lake is an alpine lake in the western United States in central Idaho. It is located in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains in Custer County, south of Stanley.

It is named for the brilliant sockeye salmon that once returned from the Pacific Ocean in such massive quantities that the lake shimmered red during spawning season. Currently, only a small percentage of the wild sockeye succeed in making through the several hydroelectric dams along their route back to the lake to spawn. Sockeye must not be targeted while fishing and must immediately be released if they are caught.

The surface elevation of Redfish Lake is 6,547 feet (1,996 m) above sea level. The lake is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) long and 0.72 miles (1.2 km) wide, with a maximum depth of 387 feet (118 m), and 11 miles (18 km) of shoreline. The actual trail around the lake is 17.5 miles (28 km) in length.

The average temperature of the lake ranges from freezing (32 °F (0 °C)) to a high of around 62 °F (17 °C) in late July & early August. The lake freezes over in winter, with ice thickness of 30–36 inches (75–90 cm).

The peaks which frame the lake at its south end are

Redfish Lake is approximately five miles (8 km) south of Stanley; a paved access road from State Highway 75 delivers motorists to the visitor area at the north shore of the lake.[1][2]

Redfish Lake, looking south

References

  1. ↑ Visit Idaho.org - Redfish Lake
  2. ↑ Redfish Lake.com - FAQ


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