Maclean may have been writing about another river, but the St. Joe certainly fits his description. Bordered by beautiful fresh water lakes, the river does not just empty into them but it literally runs through them. Located in the northern reaches of the Idaho panhandle, the St. Joe is thought to be the world’s highest elevation, navigable river, running for over 120 miles through Grade II and III rapids. Considered to be one of the cleanest rivers in the US, it is famous for its native West Slope cutthroat trout, incredible scenery and its proximity to the sophisticated town of Coeur d’Alene. Here you can find lodging that ranges from basic to luxury, restaurants that cater to every palate and a long, interesting list of things to see and do including rafting, cycling, horseback riding, lake cruises and sightseeing via sea plane.
Starting high in the Bitterroot Mountains, the river has benefited from measures taken to preserve its pristine allure. From its initial 26-mile journey to Spruce Tree Campground, it is a federally designated Wild and Scenic River. Beyond Spruce Tree to the North Fork, a run of about 40 miles, the St. Joe has been set-aside as a National Recreation Area. Efforts to safeguard the river have been a great boon to anglers. According to Idaho Fish and Game, the number of cutthroat trout in the St. Joe varies from 800 to 1,200 per mile with 30% plus measuring over 12 inches long. The river is very accessible as the St. Joe River Road runs along its banks for about100 miles.
Anglers can expect to find a variety of cutthroat when fishing in these waters. Pure strains of West Slope are thought to remain mainly in feeder streams where they were able to avoid spawning with state stocked rainbow trout, a practice that is now discontinued. One migratory type of cutthroat moves upstream from Coeur d’Alene Lake to spawn in early spring and summer before moving back downriver. Other cutthroat species travel from the upper river to the lower river later in the season. In order to keep populations thriving, the St. Joe east of Avery has been designated as catch-and-release waters and live bait is prohibited. Most of the river is welcoming to all anglers, from beginners to experts, and is suited to floating the rifles or wading through its many hidden pockets.