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

Dec. 14: Lake Cascade 2018-19 ice fishing update

Friday, December 14, 2018 - 2:49 PM MST

Just returned from Lake Cascade. Everything is frozen. At Poison Creek on the west side of lake ice was 5 inches thick 200 yds. off the boat ramp. There was one group of anglers there, and they were catching perch. There were also three or four groups out off the Boulder Creek boat ramp on the east side south of Donnelly.

Ice Fishing in Idaho Fishing Southwest Region
Lake Cascade 2018/19 Ice Fishing Updates

Friday, December 14, 2018 - 2:00 PM MST

Just returned from Lake Cascade. Everything is frozen. At Poison Cr. ice was 5 inches thick 200 yds. off the boat ramp. There was one group of anglers there and they were catching perch. There were 3-4 groups out at Boulder Creek boat ramp.

Ice Fishing in Idaho Fishing
Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule

Thursday, November 29, 2018 - 3:15 PM MST

Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatchery will be releasing more than 9,300 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during December. LOCATION WEEK STOCKED NUMBER OF TROUT

Fishing Family Fishing Waters Fish Stocking Southwest Region Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
See the changes to fishing rules for 2019-21 seasons

Friday, November 16, 2018 - 3:53 PM MST

The Idaho Fish and Game commission set seasons and rules for the 2019-21 fishing seasons at its Nov. 14 meeting in Coeur d'Alene. New rules to take effect Jan. 1 are as follows:

Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules
Fish and Game adds Kokanee to Mosquito Flat Reservoir near Challis

Wednesday, November 7, 2018 - 8:37 AM MST

Idaho Fish and Game added 13,000 sterile kokanee to Mosquito Flat Reservoir, providing anglers a new fishing opportunity.

Salmon Region Fishing
Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule

Tuesday, October 30, 2018 - 4:53 PM MDT

Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatchery will be releasing more than 15,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during November. Local ponds are the primary focus of this stocking effort due to milder weather and correspondingly cooler water temperatures. LOCATION WEEK STOCKED NUMBER OF TROUT

Southwest Region Fishing Fish Stocking Family Fishing Waters Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Anglers in southern Idaho concerned about lighter colored kokanee meat

Tuesday, October 30, 2018 - 2:20 PM MDT

Fish Stocking Fishing Magic Valley Region Southwest Region Sockeye Salmon or Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka)