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

Spring is prime time for Treasure Valley ponds

Monday, March 11, 2019 - 2:28 PM MDT

Love fishing but can’t seem to find the time to travel? Ponds provide an excellent and convenient spring fishing opportunity.

Family Fishing Waters Fishing Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Southwest Region trout stocking schedule for March

Thursday, February 28, 2019 - 11:02 AM MST

Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatchery will be releasing more than 17,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during March. Location Week Stocked Number of Trout Boise River – Barber Dam to Glenwood March 11 1,440 Boise River – Eagle Rd. to Middleton March 11 1,440

Southwest Region Fishing Family Fishing Waters Fish Stocking Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Yellowstone cutthroat trout swim the fish ladder at Henrys Lake [video]

Friday, February 22, 2019 - 1:53 PM MST

Fishing Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)
Feb. 19: Lake Cascade ice conditions and fishing report

Tuesday, February 19, 2019 - 12:13 PM MST

Heavy snows hit in February, which made access to the lake more challenging, but ice conditions remain good

Ice Fishing in Idaho Fishing Southwest Region
Southwest Region trout stocking schedule for February

Tuesday, February 12, 2019 - 8:08 AM MST

Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatcheries will be releasing more than 9,500 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during February.

Southwest Region Fishing Family Fishing Waters Fish Stocking Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
New Sportsman Access area opens near Letha on the Payette River

Tuesday, January 15, 2019 - 1:05 PM MST

Sheep Camp Landing, a new Lower Payette River access site near Letha, is open to the public and two familiar Lower Payette River sites have undergone site improvements during fall and winter. Bass and catfish anglers, and waterfowl hunters will be some of the beneficiaries of these access improvements.

Southwest Region Fishing Access Yes! Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
Tiger Trout, an exciting new fishery at Deer Creek Reservoir

Wednesday, January 9, 2019 - 1:24 PM MST

Tiger trout are stocked at Deer Creek Reservoir as a predator fish to help manage non-native golden shiners populations. Tiger trout has become at popular fishery at Deer Creek Reservoir in most recent years. Try your hand at this new fishery and remember to check the new rules set to help protect and manage these unique fish!

Clearwater Region Fishing Tiger Trout