Friday, December 15, 2023

Tolo Lake, Idaho County, Idaho USA


Tolo Lake is a small 36 acre lake located on the Camias prairie, 6 miles west of the town of Grangeville, Idaho off of HWY 95. Its the only lake on the Camias Prairie, all other bodies of water are ponds on farm and private property lands. Camias prairie was home to Mammoth's and various tribes over thousands of years. Most recent native history show that Nez Perce tribe claimed the area. The lake is also home to Geese and other waterfowl, and Deer and Elk.

Its a popular fishing lake, for Crappie, Blue Gill, Catfish, and Trout. The lake has one paved launch with dock and 2 finishing docks. There are paved access paths and picnic tables covered and uncovered, and fire pits, and one fully accessible vault toilet. No camping allowed. The lake is only 1800 feet wide from west to east and 1500 feet wide north to south, with a max depth of 15 feet. It is surrounded continuous by brush with a few open spaces for shore fishing or bird watching. The lake is not good for swimming as its full of algae. Gas motors are allowed but is a No Wake Zone and No PWC allowed over the entire lake.

There is a fishing dock and parking area on the southwest side of the lake separate of (south of) the boat launch area that also give access to a fishing dock separate of the launch and associated boat dock.

Those who know about this lake use it as a rest stop off of HWY 95. Whether you come to fish, birdwatch, or have a relaxing picnic this lake is a beautiful place to be. Bring your bug spray as the lake is home to mosquitos. The lake is always full enough with water to boat on.

Directions: Tolo Lake is 6.7 miles due west from Grandeville. HWY 95 goes east into the town of Grangeville and then west away from the town, making a U shape. The access road, Lake Road cuts across the U shade made by HWY 95, from the north to south or vise versa over the prairie. Heading toward or away (west or east) from Grandeville, turn off of HWY 95 from the north or south onto Lake Road. From the north or the south the lake is about 4 miles off of HWY 95. The lake is very visible and on the east side of the road. Latitude/Longitude: 45°55'3.27"N 116°14'18.39"W

Learn more about this lake, fishing, rules, etc.

TOLO LAKE BOAT LAUNCH ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Mostly level hard packed gravel parking area. No disgnated paved accessible and/or van parking; PATHS/TRAILS... 1 paved path and 1 gravel trail to fishing dock (see West Fishing Dock and North Fishing Dock and Trail assessments below). Paved accessible path gives access to covered picnic area, launch ramp and launch/boat dock. Paved path is 5-7% grade. Dock ramp/grangway is 3-5% grade depending on water level; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… One fully accessible vault toilet with parking access pad; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One L shaped dock at launch is primarily for boats as there are 2 other docks specific for fishing. However due to the other 2 fishing docks not having ideal trail width, grade, and hard pack surfaces it is not ideal to be navigated by most wheeled mobility devices (this could change particularly with the North fishing dock access trail), so fishing on the launch dock maybe be best for some persons with disAbilities. The ramp/grangway to this dock is 3-5% grade depending on water level; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... No; CAMPING/PICNIC... No camping allowed. 2 covered pinic tables on cement pads with one having a short paved access path. The one covered picnic table without access path is next to the parking area, on level ground, and easy to access with a wheelchair. 2 fire pits. Camping available in nearby town of Grandeville (7 miles away) or White Bird or Salmon River (15 miles away); O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Gravel and sand/dirt ground; Terrain: Mostly Level with banks around most of the lake; Environmental Conditions: Cold and hot during the summer months. Can be very windy at times. This brush around the lake that does not give much shade, and few trees for shade, but a few. There is shade at 2 covered picnic tables. Water in lake is typicall full of alge or other debre; Resources: No drinking water available at site. Food, drinks, and gas at town of Grandeville off of I95.


TOLO LAKE NORTH FISHING DOCK ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Mostly level hard packed gravel parking area next to boat launch and restroom. No disgnated paved accessible and van parking; PATHS/TRAILS... 1 gravel trail leads to fishing dock of 30” to 36” wide. Width of trail is limiting to some wheeled mobility devices such as wheelchairs. Near the end of the trail by the fishing dock the trail has a 15% grade on loose gravel. This dock and trail was installed in 2023, so some improvements may still happen in 2024; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… One fully accessible vault toilet with parking access pad at main parking area; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… T shaped 60' fishing dock is wide enough for 2 wheelchairs to pass each other. The ramp/grangway to this dock is 3-9% grade depending on water level; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... No; CAMPING/PICNIC... No camping allowed. 2 covered pinic tables on cement pads with one having a short paved access path at main parking area. The one covered picnic table without access path is next to the parking area, on level ground, and easy to access with a wheelchair. Camping available in nearby town of Grandeville; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Gravel and sand/dirt ground; Terrain: Mostly Level with banks around most of the lake; Environmental Conditions: Cold and hot during the summer months. Can be very windy at times. This brush around the lake that does not give much shade, and few trees for shade, but a few. There is shade at 2 covered picnic tables. Water in lake is typicall full of alge or other debre; Resources: No drinking water available at site. Food, drinks, and gas at town of Grandeville off of I95.


TOLO LAKE WEST FISHING DOCK ACCESSIBILITY: PARKING... Mostly level hard packed gravel parking area with some potholes separate of boat launch and restroom facilities. No disgnated paved accessible and van parking; PATHS/TRAILS... No accessible path or gravel trail. 1 gravel/dirt/sand primitive trail leads to fishing dock of 30” or less wide, with 10-15% grade; RESTROOMS/FACILITIES… One fully accessible vault toilet with parking access pad at boat launch parking area; SENSORY... No sensory tactile markers for those with visual and other impairments. DOCKS/LAUNCHES/PLATFORMS… One figure fishing dock. The ramp/grangway to this dock is 3-7% grade depending on water level. Dock is not accessible to wheeled mobility devices due to trail to dock; DIRECT WATER ACCESS… No access for wheeled mobility devices; TRANSFER SYSTEMS... No; CAMPING/PICNIC... No camping allowed. No pinic tables. Camping available in nearby town of Grandeville; O.T.H.E.R… Oddities/Barriers: Gravel and sand/dirt ground; Terrain: Mostly Level with banks around most of the lake; Environmental Conditions: Cold and hot during the summer months. Can be very windy at times. This brush around the lake that does not give much shade, and few trees for shade, but a few. There is shade at 2 covered picnic tables at the Boat Luanch area facility. Water in lake is typicall full of alge or other debre; Resources: No drinking water available at site. Food, drinks, and gas at town of Grandeville off of I95.

Tolo Lake video...

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