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

F&G rounds up nearly 250 Chinook salmon below Sawtooth Hatchery

Wednesday, August 21, 2019 - 4:11 PM MDT

In most years, Idaho Fish and Game’s hatchery managers wait patiently for Chinook salmon to return to hatcheries, but this summer, they gave them a helping hand at the Sawtooth Hatchery near Stanley.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Caldwell Ponds to Close for Angler Use Improvements

Thursday, August 8, 2019 - 11:38 AM MDT

More suitable gamefish habitat and fewer aquatic weeds are the goals of a renovation project set to begin in late August at Caldwell Ponds. The five-year gravel extraction project will result in one larger, deeper pond and subsequent better fishing conditions for pond anglers.

Southwest Region Fishing Family Fishing Waters
Still time to catch kokanee at Dworshak Reservoir

Friday, August 2, 2019 - 2:26 PM MDT

There’s no better place to be on a hot summer day than out on the lake. If you haven’t been kokanee fishing on Dworshak Reservoir yet, you’re missing out. The kokanee are large, and fairly plentiful. During our trawl survey on July 29, the adult kokanee we caught were typically 12 inches long, with some as big as 13.

Fishing Clearwater Region Sockeye Salmon or Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka)
How to fish Alpine lakes: planning your trip length

Thursday, August 1, 2019 - 5:03 PM MDT

Fishing alpine lakes is a great reason to strap on a backpack and hit the trail. Deciding on a destination and logistics may seem daunting, so before you lace up your hiking boots, a little pre-trip planning is in order.

Fishing Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Panhandle Region Clearwater Region Southeast Region Salmon Region Upper Snake Region
Bluegill, bass populations rebounding at Bruneau Dunes after carp eradication

Thursday, August 1, 2019 - 3:29 PM MDT

It has been about three years since F&G treated Bruneau Sand Dunes Lake to remove invasive carp and begin the process of restoring a popular bass and bluegill fishery. Based on a recent electrofishing survey, it appears the pond is still headed in the right direction.

Fishing Magic Valley Region Southwest Region Learn to Fish
Hatchery highlights for August: Notable fish stockings around the state

Monday, July 29, 2019 - 1:38 PM MDT

Whether it is a large number of fish being stocked relative to the size of the water, a unique species, a new location, or a one-time-only stocking, hatchery staff point out stocking events of interest for anglers.

Fish Stocking and Schedules Fish Stocking Forecasts Fishing
Southwest Region August trout stocking schedule

Thursday, July 25, 2019 - 11:10 AM MDT

Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatchery will be releasing more than 18,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during August.

Southwest Region Fishing Fish Stocking and Schedules Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)