Fishing

For anglers, Idaho is truly a land of opportunity and variety. From alpine valleys to lowland deserts, a dazzling array of waters await discovery.

Idaho is graced with 26,000 miles of streams and rivers, more than 3,000 natural lakes, and a quarter-million acres of ponds and reservoirs. Inhabiting those waters are 42 game fish species, from giant white sturgeon to wild trout, catfish to kokanee, and smallmouth bass to salmon and steelhead.

Most Idaho waters have year-round fishing seasons. However, many rivers and streams and some lakes have special rules and seasons. Pick up a fishing rules book, which outlines season dates, special regulations and bag limits, at all Idaho Fish and Game offices and most sporting goods stores statewide.

To fish in Idaho you need:

A fishing license.
Rules and regulations.
Proper gear.
A place to go.

News

Some Horsethief Reservoir Campgrounds Now Closed

Friday, May 17, 2019 - 4:52 PM MDT

Only days after opening, the east side campgrounds at Horsethief Reservoir are closed until further notice, following the abrupt resignation of the camp host. A contractual agreement between the department and the YMCA requires that a camp host be on site while the campground is open.

Southwest Region Fishing
Timber companies and F&G agree to leases for public access to private timber lands

Friday, May 17, 2019 - 3:42 PM MDT

A new partnership between Idaho Fish and Game and PotlatchDeltic will provide and preserve public access for hunting, fishing and trapping on 567,002 acres of private land in Benewah, Clearwater, Idaho, Latah and Shoshone counties through a lease agreement.

Access Yes! Hunting Big Game Hunting Fishing
Southwest Region 2019 Free Fishing Day events

Friday, May 17, 2019 - 11:15 AM MDT

Saturday, June 8th is Free Fishing Day, and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game invites veteran and novice anglers of all ages, residents and nonresidents alike, to celebrate the day by fishing anywhere in Idaho without a license. Though fishing license requirements are suspended for this special day, all other rules, such as limits or tackle restrictions, remain in effect.

Southwest Region Fishing Family Fishing Waters
Top 10 tips when fishing with kids

Friday, May 17, 2019 - 9:17 AM MDT

Fishing can be a fun sport for kids and parents. Introducing young children to the sport, which may seem daunting for some, is actually easy with a little forethought.

Salmon Region Family Fishing Waters Fishing "Take Me Fishing” Trailers Fishing Seasons and Rules Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Here's your fishing guide for Memorial Day weekend and beyond

Thursday, May 16, 2019 - 9:26 AM MDT

Summer is almost here, and Memorial Day weekend for many Idahoans is the unofficial kick off to the summer camping and fishing season. Here are 42 places statewide to go fishing.

Fishing Panhandle Region Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Salmon Region Family Fishing Waters
Anglers can buy a ready-to-use fishing license with their smartphones

Wednesday, May 15, 2019 - 3:37 PM MDT

If you have a smartphone and internet access, you can buy and download an fishing license and be ready to fish. If you already have an account on Fish and Game’s licensing system, you can visit https://idfg.huntfishidaho.net and login using your user name and the password associated with your account. If you haven't, you can follow these steps to buy a license.

Licenses, tags, and permits Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules
From Brownlee to Swan Falls, Snake River smallmouth are abundant, mobile and healthy

Monday, May 13, 2019 - 10:57 AM MDT

If you want to experience the Snake River’s smallmouth fishery, late spring, summer and even the fall provides some fun and exciting fishing — and don’t worry, there are big fish out there, and plenty of them.

Fishing Southwest Region Wildlife Conservation and Management Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)