Discover what lays in the depths of Idaho's Water
The landlocked State of Idaho is home to some of the most beautiful freshwater diving in America. Idaho’s Sawtooth National Recreation Area is considered to be the “crown jewel” of the Gem State. Hundreds of jagged granite peaks rise-up from narrow glacial valleys, and nearly 400 high alpine lakes dot the rocky terrain. The lakes in the Sawtooth Wilderness were carved by glaciers and offer great underwater-visibility and an entirely new aquatic experience. These Sawtooth lakes hold the headwaters of the North Fork and Middle Fork of the Boise River, the South Fork of the Payette River and also contribute significantly to both the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River and the Main Salmon River. First protected in 1937 as a “Primitive Area,” the rugged Sawtooth Wilderness was officially created by Congress in 1972.
Idaho Fish and Game has stocked almost all the lakes in the Sawtooth Mountains, and even though some of the lakes have not been stocked with fish in 30 years, there is plenty of aquatic life to see. Fish and other wildlife populations are able to survive the winter months unscathed because the Sawtooth Mountain’s deep lake beds prevent water from freezing all the way through in the winter. Below are links to some of the species that can be found in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area’s Lakes and River
Trout
Salmon
Suckers
Weird Fish
Amphibians
Mammals
