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

Deadwood Reservoir produces the next generation of kokanee salmon for Idaho's lakes and reservoirs

Thursday, September 17, 2020 - 7:45 PM MDT

Kokanee are not native to Deadwood Reservoir, but were introduced in 1945. Kokanee flourished in the reservoir’s cold water and spawned in its tributaries, and they are now the backbone of Fish and Game’s early-run hatchery kokanee program that fuels kokanee fisheries across the state.

Fishing Southwest Region Panhandle Region Sockeye Salmon or Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka)
F&G provides millions of acres of access for hunting

Thursday, September 17, 2020 - 11:20 AM MDT

Fish and Game provides provides millions of acres of public access through its lands and numerous agreements and lease programs with private land owners.

Hunting and Fishing Access Price Lock Hunting Fishing Access Yes! Access - Large Tracts Program
Fish and Game Commission approves Clearwater Coho season and shooting hours for Upland Game Bird Permit areas

Tuesday, September 15, 2020 - 12:33 PM MDT

Meeting September 15 via conference call, the Commission approved a Coho season for the Clearwater River. Fishing for Coho on the mainstem Clearwater River downstream from Memorial Bridge begins immediately with fishing allowed 7 days a week.

Coho Salmon Seasons and Rules Coho Salmon Fishing Fish and Game Commission Fishing Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Seasons and Rules Chinook Salmon Fishing Chinook Salmon Seasons and Rules Pheasant Hunting Pheasant Stocking Program Upland Game Hunting Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules Fishing Seasons and Rules Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
Homedale angler sets new catch-and-release catfish record

Thursday, September 10, 2020 - 2:07 PM MDT

Congratulations to Jared Holt on reeling in a new record flathead catfish. Jared was fishing the Snake River in Owyhee County on Sept. 6 when he landed the 42-inch long monster catfish.

Record Fish in Idaho Southwest Region Fishing Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris)
Allow 10 days for delivery when ordering tags online or by phone

Thursday, September 10, 2020 - 11:50 AM MDT

Ordering online or by phone is a convenient way to buy your hunting/fishing licenses and permits, but sportsmen and women are reminded to allow enough time for their products to be mailed before their outings. Fish and Game recommends allowing 10 days for hunting tags to arrive.

Licenses, tags, and permits Big Game Hunting Elk hunting Deer Hunting Fishing
Fishery gems of the Gem State: Mountain lakes

Tuesday, September 8, 2020 - 9:44 AM MDT

When summer crowds descend on our more popular river fisheries, solitude during your fishing excursions can be increasingly hard to find. Fortunately, for those willing to put in a little effort, there are still plenty of destinations available in Idaho that not only often offer solitude, but exceptional fishing, gorgeous scenery, and diverse target species which may not be found at lower elevations.

Upper Snake Region Fishing
Lake Pend Oreille Sets New Catch/Release Record Bull Trout

Thursday, September 3, 2020 - 4:24 PM MDT

Record Fish in Idaho Panhandle Region Fishing