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 fishing season opens April 27

Sunday, April 21, 2019 - 3:02 PM MDT

Fishing will open on April 27, with a two-day-a-week season on the Clearwater River and a four-day-a-week season on the Salmon and Little Salmon rivers. There will be no spring Chinook fishing in Hells Canyon.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Chinook Salmon Seasons and Rules Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Mormon Reservoir revival produced great trout fishing and is attracting anglers

Wednesday, April 17, 2019 - 3:50 PM MDT

Mormon Reservoir near Fairfield recently returned as a destination fishery that produces big trout and lots of them. While older anglers might remember (with a tinge of nostalgia) a time when this was the norm, it hasn’t been the case until a few years back when a series of events helped revive Mormon’s trout fishing.

Fishing Magic Valley Region
Dworshak Reservoir Fishing Report

Monday, April 15, 2019 - 2:51 PM MDT

Dworshak Reservoir Fishing Report by Sean Wilson, IDFG fisheries research biologist

Fishing Clearwater Region Sockeye Salmon or Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
Strike while it’s hot! There are lots of crappie at C.J. Strike Reservoir.

Friday, April 12, 2019 - 4:17 PM MDT

The stars have aligned for another crappie “boom” at C.J. Strike Reservoir, and anglers will likely reap the benefits for the next couple of years. “We have a big 2017 year class of fish at C.J. Strike, and they are just starting to grow to a size that anglers can catch them,” Idaho Fish and Game biologist Mike Peterson said.

Fishing Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis)
Catch a kokanee salmon from southern Idaho's "silver triangle"

Monday, April 8, 2019 - 1:38 PM MDT

Fish and Game manages quality kokanee fisheries around the state, including in a trio of destinations – the kokanee "silver triangle" – that are a short drive from Idaho’s largest population center.

Fishing Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Sockeye Salmon or Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka)
Want to try fishing? F&G's 'Take Me Fishing' trailers have all you need

Friday, March 29, 2019 - 9:44 AM MDT

Fish and Game wants to help you get started fishing and enjoy the state's amazing fishing opportunities with your family and friends. Take Me Fishing trailers are loaded with loaner fishing rods, tackle, bait and staffed by experienced anglers, and you can fish for free during the trailer events happening in spring and summer.

Panhandle Region Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Salmon Region Family Fishing Waters Fishing "Take Me Fishing” Trailers
Grab your fishing rod and head to one these favorite spring spots

Tuesday, March 26, 2019 - 4:30 PM MDT

Anglers who want to get a jump on their fishing season in early spring can find places to catch fish throughout Idaho, and a surprising variety of them.

Fishing Fish Stocking Family Fishing Waters Fishing Seasons and Rules