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

Here are the top reasons to go ice fishing this winter

Monday, November 30, 2020 - 4:27 PM MST

If you haven't tried ice fishing in Idaho yet, you're missing out on a winter activity that is not only fun and inexpensive, it's a great way to catch lots of tasty fish.

Ice Fishing in Idaho Fishing Family Fishing Waters
Southwest Region Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule for December

Wednesday, November 25, 2020 - 2:28 PM MST

Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatchery will be releasing more than 9,500 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during December. LOCATION WEEK STOCKED NUMBER OF TROUT Boise River – Barber Park to Glenwood Bridge December 7 1,440

Southwest Region Fishing Family Fishing Waters Fish Stocking and Schedules Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
High trout numbers continue in the South Fork Snake River

Wednesday, November 25, 2020 - 9:20 AM MST

The South Fork Snake River in eastern Idaho supports the largest river population of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Idaho as well as other popular game fish including Rainbow trout and Brown trout. Idaho anglers have repeatedly asked Fish and Game managers to focus management efforts on protecting native trout species when possible.

Upper Snake Region Fishing Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
New Fishing Pond Set to Open in Emmett

Thursday, November 12, 2020 - 1:14 PM MST

Fishing opportunities in Emmett are about to get a whole lot better.

Southwest Region Fishing Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)
Fish and Game stocks rainbow trout in Dunes Lake at Bruneau Dunes State Park

Monday, November 9, 2020 - 2:18 PM MST

Dunes Lake, located at Bruneau Dunes State Park has historically been a popular spring and summer fishery for largemouth bass and bluegill.

Magic Valley Region Fishing Fish Stocking and Schedules Family Fishing Waters Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Access to camping at Silver Creek West restricted due to footbridge construction

Wednesday, November 4, 2020 - 9:16 AM MST

The construction contractor will begin to stage equipment to install the footings for the new Silver Creek West footbridge which will require the closure of the western portion of the Silver Creek West campground to the public. It is anticipated that the closure will remain in effect for several weeks. The eastern portion of the campground will remain open to day-use and over-night camping.

Magic Valley Region Fishing Hunting and Fishing Access Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)
Hatchery highlights for November: Notable fish stockings around the state

Monday, November 2, 2020 - 9:18 AM MST

With so many fish stocked in so many places, it can be hard for anglers to sift through the stocking forecasts and records to identify noteworthy stocking events. To make it easier, Fish and Game hatchery staff have highlighted some stocking events for the month of November. Here's what they came up with:

Fish Stocking and Schedules Fish Stocking Forecasts Fishing