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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
94-acre lake near Nez Perce. The lake tops out around 106 ft. The depth chart comes from U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Technical Service Center bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
On the chart, Lake Waha draws 74 acres inside 2.1 miles of shoreline. The shoreline is moderately structured (index 1.8) — enough points and pockets to pattern. Roughly 8% of the water is 15 ft or less, the band where the food chain lives. Call it 0.8 mi long by 0.3 mi wide at the broadest reach. The water lies in Nez Perce County. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Dworshak Reservoir, 55 mi northeast of here.
In spring, rainbow trout run shallow here, mostly 5 to 20 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 8 to 30 ft before dropping to 8 to 40 ft for winter. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon most summer days.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 8 to 40 ft | dawn | open water | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Spring puts kokanee in skinny water — 10 to 30 ft is the zone. Warm water sends them out to 30 to 70 ft; cold water stacks them in 20 to 80 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 106 ft, rated good for winter kokanee. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger or a kokanee bug + corn covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 10 to 30 ft | dawn | open water | Small dodger + squid (pink), Wedding-ring spinner + corn |
| Summer | 30 to 70 ft | dawn | open water | Dodger + pink/orange squid on downrigger, Kokanee bug + corn |
| Fall | 5 to 40 ft | dawn | open water | Dodger + squid (deeper red/purple), Small spoon |
| Winter | 20 to 80 ft | dawn | Deep basin (106 ft) | Small glow jig + corn or maggot, Tiny spoon |
Start shallow in spring: coho salmon sit in 3 to 25 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 30 to 70 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 60 ft. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. Throw a dodger + fly or a medium spoon above the thermocline until the fish tell you otherwise.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Small orange dodger + peanut fly, Thin spoon (orange/silver) |
| Summer | 30 to 70 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Dodger + fly, Medium spoon above the thermocline |
| Fall | 8 to 40 ft | dawn & dusk | open water | Casting spoon, Spinner (chartreuse) |
| Winter | 20 to 60 ft | midday | open water | Small spoon, slow troll |
Lake Waha carries 6 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Deep basin, about 106 ft down.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 28 | Rainbow Trout | — | ~13" |
| Nov 14, 2025 | Rainbow Trout | 675 | ~13" |
Source: Idaho Fish & Game stocking records, retrieved 2026-09-23.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Idaho waters are set by the Idaho Fish and Game — and special regulations can apply to Lake Waha specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Idaho fishing regulations →
Lake Waha is about 106 ft (32 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Technical Service Center bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target rainbow trout, kokanee, coho salmon on Lake Waha.
Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 106 ft of water that rates good for kokanee in winter. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Yes — per Idaho Fish & Game stocking records records, Lake Waha was most recently stocked May 28 with rainbow trout. The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on Lake Waha is regulated by the Idaho Fish and Game. Check the official Idaho regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Dworshak Reservoir 55 mi · Ice Lake 71 mi, OR · Lost Lake 73 mi · Chatcolet Lake 80 mi · Goose Lake 84 mi · Upper Payette Lake 84 mi · Williams Lake 87 mi, WA · Lost Valley Reservoir 88 mi · Cave Lake 88 mi · Badger Lake 88 mi, WA · Blue Lake 89 mi · Killarney Lake 92 mi
See how Lake Waha stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Idaho · best coho salmon lakes in Idaho · best kokanee lakes in Idaho
Browse all Idaho fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Depth data: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Technical Service Center, Lake Waha 2005 Survey. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.