Overview for Big Hole Creeks and Lakes Below Map
See also...
Regional Fly Shops and Guide Service
Big Hole River
- Highway 43
The Big Hole River may be reached via Highway 93 from Salmon, Idaho or from Interstate 15 from Idaho Falls to Butte or at the junction with Interstate 90 and Interstate 15 west of Butte. The Big Hole River parallels Highway 43, which begins at the junction with Highway 93 at Chief Joseph Pass. From the junction to Wisdom is 27 miles. Dillon is 93 miles.
MM=Mileage Marker signs
MM 16.5: Big
Hole National Battlefield / North Fork: The Nez Perce, refusing to accept a
re-negotiated treaty in which they would lose 9/10 of their reservation,
refused to move into the newly restricted reservation. Tensions mounted,
deadlines were mandated and a few young warriors precipitated military
reprisals when they killed some settlers. Thus began a journey of flight and a
series of skirmishes. The Nez Perce elected Chief Joseph as their leader. At
the Big Hole the 7th US Infantry, under the command of Col. John
Gibbon, mounted a surprise attack. The Nez Perce tribe suffered the loss of
almost ninety members, only a third of whom were warriers. In military terms,
the Indians had won the battle, but their loss of horses and provisions would
soon exhaust them on their journey of escape. Thirteen hundred miles later,
Chief Joseph would surrender to Col, Nelson A. Miles just 40 miles south of the
Canadian Border.
"Hear me,
my chiefs, I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands
I will fight no more forever." Chief Joseph
The North Fork of the Big Hole River runs through the Battlefield and holds an abundance of brook trout.
MM 23: Lower
North Fork Road / Mussigbrod Lake 18 miles, Pintler Lake 18: Mussigbrod Lake
Campround (USFS) has 10 campsites. The lake fishes well for grayling and brook
trout, but be prepared for ugly draw downs during the summer. Pintler Lake
offers much more in scenery, good fishing from a boat and a small campground.
The lake is between 30 and 40 acres and does not offer good fishing from the
shoreline due to plant growth.
MM 26: Junction
with Highway 278 to Dillon, Montana:
Highway 278 to
Dillon
The route to
Dillon leads to Jackson, Montana, which has a commercial hot springs. Seven
miles south of Wisdom on Highway 278 is the turn off to Twin Lakes. Twin Lakes are sixteen
miles from the highway. The lake, two lakes joined by a channel, is popular
with locals and offers good fishing for rainbows and brook trout. Although
large lake trout are present, their numbers seem to be in decline. Twin Lakes
Campground has 21 camping sites and a boat launch.
From Wisdom to
Jackson is 18 miles. Just out of Jackson a half of a mile is the turn off to
Lower Miner Lake, which
offers 18 campsites and a boat launch. The fishing, however, is only fair as
the lake is shallow and suffers from oxygen depletion plant growth during the
summer and periodic freeze-outs during the winter. Upper Miner Lake, along with
Rock Island Lakes, offers good cutthroat and brook trout fishing for day hike
fishing in the back country. The hike is approximately four to five miles and
well worth the hike for the scenery alone. My sons and I have fond memories of
catching lots of 9" brookies in these lakes.
