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

Despite low return, F&G's sockeye program releases 1,211 spawners into Redfish and Pettit lakes

3 hours 32 min ago

Despite less than four dozen fish completing the 900-mile journey from the Pacific Ocean to the Sawtooth Basin near Stanley, Idaho Fish and Game and its partners have 2,750 adult sockeye available to naturally spawn in Redfish and Pettit lakes, or to be artificially spawned to replenish hatcheries.

Sockeye Salmon Wild Salmon and Steelhead Fishing Fish Research
Magic Valley Region rainbow trout stocking schedule for October 2021

1 hour 29 min ago

Hatchery personnel from Fish and Game’s Magic Valley Region will be stocking approximately 37,050 10-12” catchable-sized rainbow trout in October. All stocking dates and numbers of fish are approximate and may change without notice due to water or weather conditions.

Magic Valley Region Family Fishing Waters Fishing Fish Stocking and Schedules Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
F&G provides millions of acres of access for hunting

Monday, September 20, 2021 - 8:44 PM MDT

Fish and Game provides provides millions of acres of public access through its lands and numerous agreements and lease programs with private land owners.

Hunting and Fishing Access Price Lock Hunting Fishing Access Yes! Access - Large Tracts Program
'Fences' in streams are picket weirs that help biologists survey salmon and trout migrations

Sunday, September 19, 2021 - 10:40 AM MDT

During the spring or fall you may have seen Idaho Fish and Game staff building metal picket fences across a nearby stream. These fences are actually an important sampling tool called a picket weir that Fish and Game biologists use to capture and sample migrating salmon and trout.

Salmon Region Wild Salmon and Steelhead Fishing Fish Research Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) Chinook Salmon Steelhead Trout
Fish and Game hosting virtual public meeting on Sept. 22 to discuss Priest Lake cold-water bypass

Thursday, September 16, 2021 - 2:47 PM MDT

On Sept. 22 at 6 p.m., staff from the Panhandle Region, along with a private contractor, will share information from a new study that was done to assess the feasibility of a cold-water bypass in Priest Lake.

Panhandle Region Fishing
F&G will survey sections of the Big Wood River in September

Friday, September 10, 2021 - 5:46 PM MDT

Every three years, Idaho Fish and Game staff conduct a population survey on the Big Wood River. Three sections of the river will be surveyed: north of Ketchum, near Gimlet, and near Hailey. Monitoring population trends allow fisheries biologists to assess the overall health of the population and evaluate the effectiveness of regulations.

Magic Valley Region Fishing Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) Mountain Whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni)
Remember to allow up to 10 days delivery time when ordering tags online or by phone

Friday, September 10, 2021 - 11:48 AM MDT

Hunters and anglers are also reminded they can buy tags in person at any license vendor, and you can find vendors near you on Fish and Game’s interactive map on the website.

Licenses, tags, and permits Big Game Hunting Elk hunting Deer Hunting Fishing