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

Chinook Salmon Fishery update Little Salmon and Lower Salmon River

Tuesday, June 27, 2017 - 9:55 AM MDT

Salmon fishing is in full swing in Idaho. If you’ve been waiting to fish for Chinook Salmon near Riggins don’t wait any longer. The fishery on the Little Salmon River and lower Salmon River will be open for fishing June 29 through July 2. We are 50% of the way through our share of the harvest and this fishery will change quickly after July 2.

Fishing Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Chinook Salmon Fishing Panhandle Region Salmon Region Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Damage from flood waters temporarily close some fishing access in Salmon Region

Monday, June 26, 2017 - 1:55 PM MDT

High water in the Salmon Region has resulted in damage to two local fishing areas. South Butte Pond on Squaw Creek was damaged when flood waters from the creek pushed too much water through the pond. The outlet structure was damaged and the pond can no longer hold water. Plans are being made to repair the pond this summer, but it will not be stocked again until next spring.

Salmon Region Family Fishing Waters Fishing Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Fishing Activities Continue at Esthers/Quinns Ponds

Friday, June 23, 2017 - 2:02 PM MDT

Elevated E. coli levels at Boise's Esther Simplot Pond and Quinns Pond have resulted in swimming/wading activities at these two popular park locations. A number of anglers have called our office asking if fishing activities are included in this closure.

Southwest Region Fishing Family Fishing Waters Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)
Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule

Friday, June 23, 2017 - 1:10 PM MDT

Personnel from Fish and Game's McCall and Nampa Hatcheries will be releasing more than 38,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during July. Location Week Stocked Number of Trout Big Creek (Cascade) July 3 200 Boise River, Middle Fork July 17 2,000 Boise River, North Fork July 17, 24 2,000/2,000

Southwest Region Fishing Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Lake Pend Oreille Kokanee Fishing Warms Up

Monday, June 19, 2017 - 2:26 PM MDT

Kokanee fishing is finally beginning to pick up on Idaho’s largest body of water.

Panhandle Region Fishing Sockeye Salmon or Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka)
State Record for Tiger Trout broken at Deer Creek Reservoir, three times in one day!

Thursday, June 15, 2017 - 11:35 AM MDT

The state record for Tiger Trout stood at 17.5 inches before Free Fishing Day on June 10. By the end of the day, it had been broken not once, not twice, but three times at Deer Creek Reservoir during the fishing events sponsored by IDFG and the Pierce/Weippe Chamber of Commerce.

Record Fish in Idaho Clearwater Region Fishing Tiger Trout
Learn about native trout and where to find them

Tuesday, June 13, 2017 - 12:54 PM MDT

Two species of Idaho fish are the subject of a fascinating series by the Western Native Trout Initiative, a private/public collaboration that partners to conserve native trout and their habitat in the West.

Fishing Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)