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

Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule

Friday, September 22, 2017 - 12:37 PM MDT

Personnel from Fish and Game's Nampa Hatchery will be releasing more than 28,500 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during October. Local ponds are the primary focus of this stocking effort due to milder weather and correspondingly cooler water temperatures. LOCATION WEEK STOCKED NUMBER OF TROUT Arrowrock Reservoir October 2 8,550

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

Thursday, September 14, 2017 - 2:45 PM MDT

The Big Wood Canal Company has indicated Magic Dam will close for the Season on October 1. No salvage order has been issued. All season, method of take, and bag limit rules are still in effect.

Magic Valley Region Fishing Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)
Steelhead fishing status

Friday, September 1, 2017 - 7:59 AM MDT

This page serves as your one-stop status report as official information on steelhead fishing this fall 2017 becomes available. 2017 Steelhead Fishing Status

Steelhead Fishing Fishing Idaho Seasons and Rules Fishing Seasons and Rules Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule

Friday, August 25, 2017 - 3:39 PM MDT

Personnel from Fish and Game's McCall and Nampa Hatcheries will be releasing more than 12,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout at the following locations during September. LOCATION WEEK STOCKED NUMBER OF TROUT Boise River - above Glenwood Bridge September 4, 18 1,080/1,080 Boise River - below Glenwood Bridge September 4, 18 1,080/1,080

Fishing Southwest Region Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Snake River Sturgeon Research Underway

Friday, August 25, 2017 - 10:42 AM MDT

Many of you know that Idaho Fish and Game partners with Idaho Power Company to stock young sturgeon in several reaches of the Snake River.

Southwest Region Fishing Guidelines for Measuring White Sturgeon
Why are Idaho's steelhead runs so low?

Thursday, August 24, 2017 - 11:37 AM MDT

Idaho is experiencing a historic low steelhead run. There are many things that influence steelhead survival, but most signs point to abnormal ocean conditions affecting Idaho's steelhead run this year.

Steelhead Fishing Fishing Clearwater Region Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Face down fish counts for Idaho's salmon and steelhead

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 - 6:40 PM MDT

The next time you see a group of people crawling face down up a stream in wetsuits, don’t be alarmed. It’s probably an Idaho Fish and Game snorkel survey crew collecting information to help better understand and monitor Idaho’s salmon and steelhead populations.

Steelhead Fishing Fishing Clearwater Region