Tiffany Haney
Gold panning is a fun outdoor activity and a lucrative hobby for a few skilled prospectors. Gold is rare and expensive, and few rivers contain it. However, gold can be found in almost every region of Idaho, including the Boise River. The Boise River drains some very rich gold areas, and gold can be found in its tributaries. The North Fork Boise River has seen heavy historic mining activity. Gold panning is permitted in the Middle Fork of the Boise River from the east boundary of T5N, R8E, B.M. downstream to the west boundary of Sec. 1, T3N, R5E, B.M. Gold pans should be 14 inches, and the green colour seems to make the gold stand out more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Boise River, Idaho |
| Gold Availability | Gold is available in the Boise River and its tributaries |
| Tools Required | Gold pans, classifiers, sniffer bottle, vials, buckets, rock hammer, shovels |
| Gold Panning Techniques | Suction dredging, dry panning |
| Nearby Areas with Gold | Snake River, Salmon River, South Fork Boise River, Clearwater River, Middle Fork Boise River, North Fork Boise River |
| Historic Mining Towns | Atlanta, Pierce, Idaho |
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What You'll Learn
Gold panning in Boise River requires a permit
To obtain a permit for gold panning in the Boise River, individuals must apply to the Idaho Department of Lands. The department may deny applications if it is determined that the proposed operation would not be in the public interest or would result in permanent damage to the river. The use of motorized earth-moving equipment requires a Notice of Exploration to be submitted to the department, and any holes or trenches must be closed and reseeded within a year.
Gold panning is permitted in the Middle Fork of the Boise River, from the east boundary of T5N, R8E, BM downstream to the west boundary of Sec. 1, T3N, R5E, BM. This area has been designated as open to the general public for recreational suction dredging and gold panning. The North Fork Boise River has also been a site of significant historical mining activity and is mostly open for prospecting.
When panning for gold in the Boise River, it is recommended to use a 14" pan as these are the ideal size and the green colour makes it easier to see the gold. Other recommended equipment includes classifiers, a sniffer bottle, vials, buckets, a rock hammer, and shovels. Gold prospecting is hard work and requires a lot of equipment, so it is important to be prepared before heading out to the river.
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Middle Fork Boise River is a good spot for gold panning
Gold panning is a fun outdoor activity and a potentially lucrative hobby. Gold is present in almost every region of Idaho, including its major rivers and streams. The Boise River, in particular, drains some very rich gold country. The Middle Fork Boise River, which starts in the Sawtooth National Forest, is a notable spot for gold panning. Atlanta, a mining town at the headwaters of the Middle Fork Boise River, was a site of extensive placer mining in the late 1800s.
The road that follows the Middle Fork Boise River from Atlanta downstream to Boise is long and winding, with dusty "washboard" ruts that become more pronounced later in the summer as recreational activity in the area increases. While many miles of this river are claimed by prospectors, opportunities for new prospectors may arise when existing mining claims become inactive.
The Idaho Department of Lands designates certain river segments as open to the general public for recreational suction dredging and gold panning. One such area is the bed of the Middle Fork of the Boise River, from the east boundary of T5N, R8E, B.M. downstream to the west boundary of Sec. 1, T3N, R5E, B.M.
If you're a beginner prospector interested in panning for gold in the Middle Fork Boise River or elsewhere, you'll need a few essential tools. These include a 14-inch gold pan (green is recommended as it shows the gold better), classifiers in different sizes (1/2 inch and 1/4 inch are suggested), and possibly a sluice box. You'll also want to have some vials and a sniffer bottle (which you can make yourself with a plastic straw and bottle), as well as buckets, a rock hammer, and a couple of shovels.
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Gold pans should be 14 inches and preferably green
Gold panning is a fun outdoor activity and a lucrative hobby for a few. Gold can be found in almost every major river in Idaho, including the Boise River.
If you are a beginner, it is recommended to use a gold pan that is 14 inches in diameter. This is because the pan is not too small or too big, making it easier to find gold pieces with its medium size and adequate space. A 14-inch gold pan is also lightweight, portable, and durable. It can fit into a backpack or large finds bag and is ideal for gold panning in various environments, including exposed bedrock, inside bends, surging waters, and areas with restricted water flow.
Gold pans made of plastic are preferred over metal pans because plastic is lightweight, does not rust or corrode, and is more durable. Additionally, the riffles in plastic pans trap gold better, making them as effective as a sluice box.
When choosing the colour of your gold pan, green is a popular choice. Green pans help show gold flakes and nuggets more easily, especially in the sun, as the gold contrasts well against the green. This makes the analysis process faster and easier. However, a potential downside of green pans is that they can blend into the surroundings and be misplaced or forgotten when packing up. To mitigate this, some prospectors place bright-coloured tape on their green pans to make them more visible.
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Gold panning is a lucrative hobby for a few
The Boise River, for instance, has been a site of gold mining since the 1860s. The river's headwaters are in the Sawtooth National Forest, and it drains a rich gold country of rugged, mountainous terrain. The Middle Fork Boise River, in particular, is a good place to work. The road that follows the river from Atlanta downstream to Boise is long and winding, and recreation in the area picks up in the summer. The North Fork Boise River has also had heavy historic mining activity.
The Payette River, a tributary of the Boise River, is another good spot for gold panning. The South Fork of the Payette River is noted for still having very good gold, although access is challenging due to the steep canyon. The Clearwater River, another tributary, is also very rich in gold, particularly the South Fork of the Clearwater River, which starts in the small town of Elk City.
Other rivers in Idaho that are known for gold panning include the Snake River and the Salmon River, which has countless gold-bearing tributaries. Outside of Idaho, the Rogue River in Oregon, the South Platte River in Colorado, and the Kern River in California are also popular destinations for gold panning.
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Boise Basin mines were founded in 1862
Gold prospecting is a fun outdoor activity and a lucrative hobby for a select few. Gold pans, classifiers, sniffer bottles, vials, buckets, rock hammers, and shovels are some of the tools that prospectors use. In Idaho, gold can be found in almost every region and river, including the Boise River.
The Boise Basin mines were founded in 1862 when placer deposits of gold were discovered about 25 miles northeast of Boise. This discovery led to the founding of several towns and camps and triggered the largest gold rush in American history during the Civil War. Idaho City, which was founded during this time, claimed over 6,000 residents by 1863, making it the largest city in the Northwest.
The Boise Basin covered an area of 300 square miles and was divided into several mining districts, including Idaho City, Moore Creek, Centerville, Quartzburg, Pioneerville, and Grimes Pass. These districts and deposits yielded an impressive amount of gold, with estimates ranging from 2,167,500 ounces to 2,800,000 ounces between 1863 and as late as 1959.
The Boise Basin was the richest gold strike ever seen in America, surpassing even the famous California 49er and Klondike gold rushes. The gold deposits in the Boise Basin were so abundant that even today, it is speculated that only a fraction of the gold has been discovered, leaving potential untapped deposits.
The Boise Basin's mining history is closely associated with the development of both placer and lode gold mines. Placer deposits were initially worked with dredges and large hydraulic washers, sometimes washing away entire hillsides. Lode mines, such as those in the Gambrinus area, were also active and proved to be productive, with the Illinois and Gambrinus mines yielding significant outputs.
Today, gold prospectors can still try their luck in the Boise River and its major tributaries, hoping to strike gold and experience the thrill of discovery that has captivated generations of prospectors since the founding of the Boise Basin mines in 1862.
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Frequently asked questions
You can pan for gold in several rivers in North America, including the Boise River in Idaho, the Snake River in Idaho, the Salmon River in Idaho, the South Platte River in Colorado, the Kern River in California, the Rogue River in Oregon, and the North Saskatchewan River in Canada.
You will need a couple of different-sized pans, classifiers (a 1/2" classifier and a 1/4" classifier are recommended), a sniffer bottle, vials, buckets, a rock hammer, and a couple of shovels.
Yes, it is important to check with the relevant authorities, such as the Idaho Department of Lands and the Idaho Department of Water Resources, for any regulations or permits required for panning in specific areas.
Yes, historical mining activity has been reported north of the Middle Fork Boise River, and the North Fork Boise River has also seen heavy historic mining. The town of Atlanta, located at the headwaters of the Middle Fork Boise River, has been a site for placer mining.
Yes, besides the Boise River, you can try your luck at the Snake River, the Salmon River, the Payette River, the Clearwater River, and their tributaries.
