South Fork Snake Winter Access

[cpierce]

Can anyone tell me about what access is available on the South Fork of the Snake River? I am mainly looking at the area just above Heise. Do any of the small roads that follow the river up a ways stay open or open early in the spring?
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[prontotp]

I can't remember all of the names or anything but I took my little honda accord up past the camp grounds along the river road by the cottonwood boat ramp last year and did fine. I don't know if i was just lucky to have decent weather or if they keep it cleared well.

[jimpete525]

I am not sure about the roads above Heise I think some of them stay open. I fish a lot below Heise and the road down there is open all year & there is a lot of good access.

Jim
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[Biglew]

Road is open up to the cable above Heise, but closed above that.
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[cpierce]

Thanks for the replies. I've been looking now at some of the areas below Heise too. I guess I'll just have to pick a good day and take a drive to see what all we can get into. I've never fished there in the winter or early spring before, so this will be a new adventure!
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[sloppyjoe]

The main "river road" above Heise is open to just above the T where it splits to go back to Kelly's. You can fish all along the river up through there, but four wheel drive is recommended. The road is not typically plowed above the cable. Good luck if you get out.
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[windriver]

There is a sign closing the road just above the Wolf ramp. I believe they are trying to protect the wintering heards.

Windriver
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[sloppyjoe]

I just assumed it was in the same place as last year. guess it changed this year.
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[Bmarsh]

Spent a lot of time fishing it in the winter. What they usually do is put the closure sign right as you go up the hill at lufkin flats. It ends up being about 3/4 mile before the road that comes in from table rock camp ground (kellys side). There is supposed to be a decent herd of elk that comes out of the big holes down along the river. All I have ever seen is a pile of deer. Have walked in a mile or 2 in the winter to fish from the sign and its usually pretty decent.

Just a warning, if its nice and the weekend....... get ready for a huge cluster. Every pull out will be packed in. And its tempting to wade farther than you should, Unless you know the area of the river extremely well I would error on the side of caution. There are some spots that go from 8in deep to 8 feet deep in a step. Usually throw rapalas this time of year. But may switch and try doing some chuck and duck this season with the new 5 wt im getting in 2days
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[sloppyjoe]

So, is it legal to walk into wildlife winter range? I tried to look a little on F&G website and didn't see anything. I know it is illegal to drive in, but just wondering about foot traffic.
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[Bmarsh]

Not sure on legal or not, have walked in many times, and even ridden my mtn bike when the road was still closed in the spring. Had the F&G pull right past me as I was fishing 4 miles back in and my bike on the road and not say a word to me. So I don't worry about it.
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[cpierce]

Here is the BLM map of the Stinking Springs Closure -- it is NO Human Entry, but it does not appear to include the road or the river area.

http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/b...10_508.pdf

Does anyone know if there is some other government agency involved in other closures in the area?
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[cpierce]

Finally found the other closure. It is by the CT Nat Forest.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinte...&%20Events


The South Fork Snake River Road (FS #206) above Heise, from Table Rock upriver to Black’s Canyon is closed to all motorized vehicles until the District switches to the Summer Travel Plan “Green” side of the map. Sportsmen travelling the river road, either hiking or skiing, are reminded to be considerate of private property and wintering wildlife, particularly nesting bald eagles.

It looks like you can go in on the road, but no motors in this section.
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