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's your fishing guide for Memorial Day weekend and beyond

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 - 9:26 AM MDT

Summer is almost here, and Memorial Day weekend for many Idahoans is the unofficial kick off to the summer camping and fishing season. Here are 42 places statewide to go fishing.

Fishing Panhandle Region Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Salmon Region Family Fishing Waters
Gone Fishing Idaho!

Thursday, May 23, 2019 - 3:36 PM MDT

Take a tour of fishing in Idaho with "Gone Fishing Idaho"

Fishing
Free Fishing Day is June 8, see events throughout the state

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 - 3:52 PM MDT

Saturday, June 8 is Free Fishing Day, and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game invites veteran and novice anglers of all ages, residents and nonresidents alike, to celebrate the day by fishing anywhere in Idaho without a license. Though fishing license requirements are suspended for this special day, all other rules, such as limits or tackle restrictions, remain in effect.

Fishing
Chinook fishing will remain closed on the Clearwater River and tributaries

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 - 3:02 PM MDT

Spring Chinook returns to the Clearwater River hatcheries are below forecast and no fish are available for sport harvest, so fishing on the Clearwater, Middle Fork Clearwater, North Fork Clearwater and South Fork Clearwater rivers will remain closed effective May 24, 2019 and will not reopen for the spring season.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Chinook Salmon Seasons and Rules Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Idaho Fish and Game Partners with the Western Native Trout Challenge

Monday, May 20, 2019 - 3:24 PM MDT

Idaho anglers of all skill levels are invited to participate in the Western Native Trout Challenge and earn bragging rights while helping the Western Native Trout Initiative conserve 21 species of native trout.

Fishing
Some Horsethief Reservoir campgrounds closed until further notice

Friday, May 17, 2019 - 4:52 PM MDT

Only days after opening, the east side campgrounds at Horsethief Reservoir are closed until further notice, following the abrupt resignation of the camp host. A contractual agreement between the department and the YMCA requires that a camp host be on site while the campground is open.

Southwest Region Fishing
Timber companies and F&G agree to leases for public access to private timber lands

Friday, May 17, 2019 - 3:42 PM MDT

A new partnership between Idaho Fish and Game and PotlatchDeltic will provide and preserve public access for hunting, fishing and trapping on 567,002 acres of private land in Benewah, Clearwater, Idaho, Latah and Shoshone counties through a lease agreement.

Access Yes! Hunting Big Game Hunting Fishing