Fishing | Idaho Fish and Game

For anglers, Idaho is truly a land of opportunity and variety. From alpine valleys to lowland deserts, a dazzling array of waters await discovery; 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

Fall Chinook and Steelhead Weekend Report (9/19/16)

Fishing effort for the fall Chinook fishery picked up this week in the confluence (river sect. 01) and mouth to Memorial Bridge (river sect. 03/Mouth to Memorial Bridge). Catch rates were poor in both sections and we did not document any Chinook harvested in the Clearwater section.

Steelhead Fishing Chinook Salmon Fishing Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Conserving Snake River sturgeon: Ready to spawn (part 3 of 7)

Photo: A wild adult sturgeon is loaded into the transport sling in preparation for spawning.

Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region White Sturgeon Panhandle Region Fishing White Sturgeon (Snake and Salmon Rivers) (Acipenser transmontanus)
Fall favorite: Floating and fishing the Kootenai River

North Idaho’s Kootenai River is a gem of a stream that’s gotten a boost in recent years and is producing its best trout fishing in years.

Fishing Panhandle Region Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Fish and Game develops a new way to control fish populations

Hatcheries have long been used to replenish and restore fish populations, but can they also be used to reduce or eradicate them?

Fishing Fish Research Magic Valley Region Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)
Steelhead and Fall Chinook Weekend Report (9/12/16)

The Fall Chinook fishery was very slow this past week on the Clearwater. We did not document any harvest and only had one reported release of a wild fish. The Confluence (creel section 1) only documented 4 adult hatchery Chinook and 3 Hatchery Jacks harvested. The attached picture is two of those adults harvested.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Steelhead Fishing Fishing Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Conserving Snake River Sturgeon: Wild brood stock (Part 2 of 7)

Photo: An adult White Sturgeon comes up from the depths of the Snake River during a population survey. If you missed the Introduction (Part 1), you can read it here!

Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region White Sturgeon Upper Snake Region Fishing Panhandle Region White Sturgeon (Snake and Salmon Rivers) (Acipenser transmontanus)
Biologists investigate fish kill on South Fork of the Snake River

Idaho Fish and Game recently received reports of sick and dead whitefish on the South Fork of the Snake River, and biologists surveyed the river to gauge the extent of the kill, and which fish are involved.

Fishing Mountain Whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni)

Videos

Family Tradition Kokanee

Kayaks on the Kootenai

RiverWork: The Kootenai River

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Fish and Game start stocking fish, and how can I find out where they are being stocked?

Resources

Fishing Planner