Little Redfish Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Redfish Lake |
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Little Redfish Lake
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 Little Redfish Lake
Location in Idaho
Little Redfish Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Custer County, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44°9′31″N 114°54′30″W / 44.15861°N 114.90833°W |
| Primary inflows | Redfish Lake Creek |
| Primary outflows | Redfish Lake Creek to Salmon River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 0.34 miles (0.55 km) |
| Max. width | 0.46 miles (0.74 km) |
| Surface elevation | 6,489 feet (1,978 m) |
Little Redfish Lake is a beautiful mountain lake found in central Idaho. It's located within the amazing Sawtooth National Recreation Area in Custer County. There are actually two lakes with this name, but this article is about the one that flows from the larger Redfish Lake and is south of the town of Stanley.
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Discovering Little Redfish Lake
Little Redfish Lake is a very scenic spot (see photo here). It sits on the edge of the Sawtooth Mountains in central Idaho. You can find it about five miles south of Stanley and less than a mile from State Highway 75.
Lake's Elevation and Flow
The surface of Little Redfish Lake is about 6,489 feet (1,978 m) above sea level. It's located about one mile (1.6 km) downstream from the much bigger Redfish Lake, which is higher up at 6,547 feet (1,996 m). Both of these lakes flow into the Salmon River through a stream called Redfish Lake Creek.
Why the Name "Redfish"?
Both Little Redfish Lake and Redfish Lake got their names from the special red-scaled sockeye salmon. These salmon used to return to the lakes every year to lay their eggs. They would travel all the way from the ocean, up the Salmon River, to reach these clear mountain waters.
Unique Features of the Lake
Besides being a home for the red-scaled salmon, Little Redfish Lake has another interesting feature. At the very bottom of the lake, there is a natural clay pit.
A Lake in Literature
In 1961, a famous writer named Richard Brautigan spent time camping near Little Redfish Lake. He wrote parts of his well-known book, Trout Fishing in America, while he was there. The lake is even mentioned in several parts of his book.
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Little Redfish Lake
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Little Redfish Lake barely visible from the Alpine Way Trail
