Boating - Watersports

Ashton Reservoir, located just north of Ashton along Henry's Fork of the Snake River, provides excellent trout fishing, water skiing, and canoeing. There is a power plant at the dam just west of Ashton and a beautiful ribbon waterfall by this dam. The Reservoir and facilities are maintained by Utah Power and Light Company personnel.

Ashton Reservoir Access Site which is marked by a Sportsman's Access sign at the Highway 20 turnoff covers 50 acres. The Reservoir's body of water covers 400 acres. Fish are planted annually in this reservoir to ensure good fishing. This area provides for picnicking, restrooms, a boat ramp, dock, parking, and fishing. The Ashton Reservoir Boat Dock is used by boats for water skiing, canoeing, fishing and other recreational craft. It is also a popular spot used as an exit point for float trips that begin at Warm River.

Boat dock and river access is open to the public.

Blacktail Park has green grass and a boat dock for the south end of the Ririe Reservoir. There are picnic tables and restroom facilities. Picnicking, water sports and boating are favorite activities in this area.

Rock formations along the road have been sculptured artfully by wind and rain. Blacktail Park is green and grassy with a boat dock and picnic tables. Rest room facilities are also available. The picnic and boat docks provide an enjoyable area.

For the dry-fly angler, nothing in North America parallels the experiences offered by the South Fork of the Snake River. From Palisades Dam to the Henry's Fork confluence, anglers can navigate almost 66 miles of water in a pristine setting that boasts trophy-size native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, brown trout and rainbow trout.

Trout measuring to 20 inches are fairly common, and brown trout in this tail-water fishery often break the 24-inch mark. Anglers cast to deep pools, slick runs and well-oxygenated riffles along the many islands and braids.

The South Fork also presents an outstanding experience for flat water rafting, canoeing and kayaking and wildlife that inhabit this waterway provides visual pleasure for the casual floater as well as the expert ornithologist. Bald eagles and osprey are prevalent and moose are seen regularly in the river bottom.

Resort-style accommodations, restaurants, fly shops and outfitters are sprinkled along the South Fork including the quaint towns of Swan Valley, Irwin, Ririe, and Rigby. Experienced fly fishing guides, using McKenzie River drift boats, can provide an unforgettable fly fishing experience.

In the 2004, Idaho Fish and Game opened this entire waterway to year-round fishing. In conjunction, fishing tributaries (Burns Creek, Pine Creek, Rainey Creek and Palisades Creek) which are the primary spawning grounds for native cutthroat are closed until the first of July.

Plan on fishing a minimum of two or three days to allow sufficient time to float the different sections of the river because each not only presents a unique angling experience but also a splendid visual array of nature and terrain.

Last Chance is located in beautiful Island Park just 40 miles south of Yellowstone National Park on Highway 20. For those who are fond of flat water fishing, the Henry's Fork of the Snake River is great. Last Chance rests right along the banks of the Henry's Fork and offers quick and easy access to superb fly fishing. A walk down to the “Railroad Ranch" is also close to Last Chance. Wildlife are plentiful. It is common to see moose and many different kinds of water fowl frequenting the river area near Last Chance.

While summer is the most popular time to fish, many anglers have found that in the spring (before runoff) and later in the fall, fishing is also good. Last Chance is not restricted to summer recreation activities. Winter offers great snowmachining and cross country skiing. Last Chance is in close proximity to over 500 miles of groomed trails in nearby Island Park. With nearly 250 inches of average snowfall, some of the finest snowmachine riding in the world can be enjoyed while in Last Chance. The scenery and wildlife are diverse and unmatched. From flat snow-covered meadows to high peaks, Last Chance in Island Park offers much to the winter and summer recreationalist.

Sixty miles northeast of Rexburg, high in a mountain bowl at an elevation of 6470 feet, lies Henry's Lake. The lake is within Henry's Lake State Park and surrounded by lush meadow and the towering Sawtooth Mountains. The shallow lake is known for big trout catches. Henry's Fork of the Snake River originates at the outlet of the famous Henry's Lake, just under the Continental Divide between Idaho and Montana. This stream is world renowned as one of the best fly fishing areas in the world. Big Springs furnishes year round water for Henry's Fork of the Snake River. The Idaho Fish and Game plant fish in the river at this point and prohibit fishing within a certain distance of Big Springs. Large fish can be viewed from the Big Springs bridge. Also located in this area is Johnny Sacks cabin. There is a visitors' center and it is open for tours during the summer.

Henry's Fork of the Snake River was named after Andrew Henry who was the first white explorer to witness the beauty of Island Park and Henry's Fork. A magnificent watershed attracts today's back country visitors. Henry's Fork of the Snake River is world famous for its fly fishing. It is also the home of many trumpeter swans, the world's heaviest flying bird. At the headwaters of Henry's Fork at Big Springs are spawning grounds for huge rainbow trout, with moose, muskrat, geese and great blue herons frequenting the area. This river meanders through park meadows, fields and forests. No trout river in the world has as much diversity in water types as the Henry's Fork.

This area also offers hiking opportunities. Coffee Pot Rapids Trail is 2.5 miles and the trail follows the Henry's Fork of the Snake River viewing changes from a placid stream to raging rapids. Rocks and other obstacles may hinder walking slightly. It is closed to motorized vehicles. The Trailhead is at Coffeepot Campground in Island Park. Boat ramps/docks on Henry's Lake are: Henry's Lake State Park, Staley Springs, Wild Rose and William Frome O. Park.

Read the current fishing regulations carefully when anticipating fishing on the Henry's Fork of the Snake River. Different stretches of the river are covered by different rules.

Off Cave Falls Road to the north is Horseshoe Lake. This is an excellent place for camping and fishing. Since the lake has a gentle sloping floor, it is a good place to take children camping or fishing. One of the most scenic views of the Tetons can be viewed from this area. The Fish and Game Department plant fish in this lake as soon as the snow conditions allow. It provides camping spots in a leisure environment.

Several trails start at the campground and go into Yellowstone Park and surrounding canyons. Power driven water craft are not permitted on Horseshoe Lake, only rowboats, canoes or rafts.

This lake is formed from the Henry's Fork of the Snake River. It is a beautiful lake surrounded by lodgepole pine trees, with fantastic fishing, and located only about 60 miles north of Rexburg. This large reservoir is popular for boating, fishing and water skiing. Visitors may drive across the top of the dam for scenic views of the Centennial Mountains and Box Canyon.

Island Park Reservoir's body of water covers 8,400 acres. Boat ramps/docks are located at Buttermilk Campground, Island Park, Lakeside Lodge, McCrea Bridge Campground, Mill Creek and the West end. Camping is also available at Buttermilk, McCrea Bridge, Mill Creek and West End.

Jefferson County Lake is located about 12 miles south of Rexburg just off the North Rigby exit. Great for family recreation featuring swimming, camping areas, and picnic shelters. There are two sizes of shelters to accommodate any size group. Shelters must be reserved in advance and fees are nonrefundable.

Also near the lake is a child's play area, and bike trails circle the entire lake.

Market Lake WMA is located near the town of Roberts. From Interstate 15, take exit 135 at Roberts. Turn east, traveling on County Road 627 to the junction with County Road 2880 East. Turn north and drive through the town of Roberts. At the .5 mile mark, the road forks; continue on the right fork. Travel to County Road 800 North and follow the signs.

At 4,780 feet above see level, Market Lake WMA encompasses Market Lake's wetland complexes and the surrounding low rises of sand interspersed with igneous rock ledges.

Four major habitat types define Market Lake WMA: marsh/wetland meadow, desert uplands, Snake River riparian and cropland. Each habitat type possesses unique characteristics which result in the wildlife diversity of Market Lake WMA. Wetland areas consists primarily of cattail, bulrush, sedges and saltgrass. In the dry, desert uplands, big sagebrush and rabbitbrush dominate, yielding to greasewood and saltgrass in the lower transition areas between uplands and marshes. Cottonwood, willow, and wild rose define the Snake River riparian area. Small grains and alfalfa are the principle food crops grown on Market Lake WMA's agricultural lands.

Mud Lake WMA is located three miles north of Mud Lake and Terreton. Take County Road 1800 East. at the three mile mark, just after crossing Camas Creek, turn west onto County Road 1800 North. Travel .2 miles to County Road 1775 East and turn north. Turn west on 1900 North. Watch for information signs.

Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was established primarily to preserve and improve nesting habitat for waterfowl. In 1940 the Idaho Department of Fish and Game purchased 607 acres of wetlands, creating Mud Lake WMA. Through the years, acquisition of adjacent land parcels, together with lease agreements and a withdrawal of lands from the US Bureau of Land Management, have expanded Mud Lake WMA to its present 8,853 acres.

The habitats of Mud Lake WMA vary from bulrush, cattail, sedge, and saltgrass-filled sloughs in moist areas, to sagebrush, rabbitbrush, bitterbrush, and greasewood communities in dry, upland areas. Waterfowl such as trumpeter swans, mallard, northern pintail, gadwall, widgeon, northern shoveler, redhead, and ring-necked ducks can be seen at Market Lake WMA. Red-tailed and Swainson's hawks frequently nests on the area as well. Larger game can also be seen, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and pronghorn antelope.