Chesterfield Reservoir

Chesterfield Reservoir sits at about 5,400 feet at the head of the Portneuf River north of Bancroft, a shallow, fertile reservoir of about 1,300 acres in open farm and range country. It has long been one of southeast Idaho's trophy rainbow lakes, where fish grow fast on scuds and leeches, and the limit is 2 trout.

Spring and fall fish best, with leeches, scuds and damsels on a slow-sinking line from a float tube or boat. The reservoir is drawn down for irrigation and warms in summer, and in dry years algae and low water slow the fishing. Idaho Fish and Game watches the fishery closely, so check a recent report before a long trip.