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

New Sportsman Access area opens near Letha on the Payette River

Tuesday, January 15, 2019 - 1:05 PM MST

Sheep Camp Landing, a new Lower Payette River access site near Letha, is open to the public and two familiar Lower Payette River sites have undergone site improvements during fall and winter. Bass and catfish anglers, and waterfowl hunters will be some of the beneficiaries of these access improvements.

Southwest Region Fishing Access Yes! Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)
Tiger Trout, an exciting new fishery at Deer Creek Reservoir

Wednesday, January 9, 2019 - 1:24 PM MST

Tiger trout are stocked at Deer Creek Reservoir as a predator fish to help manage non-native golden shiners populations. Tiger trout has become at popular fishery at Deer Creek Reservoir in most recent years. Try your hand at this new fishery and remember to check the new rules set to help protect and manage these unique fish!

Clearwater Region Fishing Tiger Trout
Jan.8: Lake Cascade ice conditions and fishing update

Thursday, January 3, 2019 - 4:49 PM MST

Recent storms added lots of snow and slush to the ice and some shorelines could be flooded and have thin ice.

Ice Fishing in Idaho Fishing Southwest Region
2019-2021 Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules Available

Thursday, December 27, 2018 - 6:19 AM MST

The 2019-2021 Idaho fishing seasons and rules booklets are available. Highlights include:

Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Steelhead Fishing Idaho Seasons and Rules
Lake Cascade should continue to produce good perch fishing, but jumbos may decline

Wednesday, December 19, 2018 - 2:34 PM MST

Since 2012, Fish and Game’s McCall fisheries staff has conducted annual fall surveys on Lake Cascade by using gillnets and recording the species and sizes captured in the nets. Overall, perch numbers are similar to 2017 numbers, but down from annual surveys since 2012 (see below). Also perch greater than 10 inches dominate the population, and have since 2014-15.

Fishing Ice Fishing in Idaho Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Clearwater Region Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)
Perch Hunters of Lake Cascade

Monday, December 17, 2018 - 3:01 PM MST

Peek inside the world of ice fishing at Lake Cascade in this video with local angler Sean Cluff.

Fishing Ice Fishing in Idaho Southwest Region Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)
Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule

Thursday, November 29, 2018 - 3:15 PM MST

Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatchery will be releasing more than 9,300 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during December. LOCATION WEEK STOCKED NUMBER OF TROUT

Fishing Family Fishing Waters Fish Stocking Southwest Region Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)