South Fork Clearwater River

Tributary of the Clearwater River

  • Recommended Fishing Water

South Fork Clearwater River in Idaho County is 62.9 miles in length.

Facilities

Motor Restriction
No
Boat Ramp
No
Dock
No
Toilet
Yes
Campground
Yes
ADA Access
Yes

Recommended Game Fish

Species Observed in Surveys

Fish Stocking Records

Date Species Quantity General Size
2022/03/25 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 264,950 Greater than 6 inches
2021/03/26 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 238,402 Greater than 6 inches
2020/03/26 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 92,351 Greater than 6 inches
2020/03/25 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 163,952 Greater than 6 inches
2020/03/24 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 391,581 Greater than 6 inches
2019/03/25 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 189,009 Greater than 6 inches
2018/04/12 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 131,430 Greater than 6 inches
2018/04/10 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 233,792 Greater than 6 inches
2018/04/04 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 540,830 Greater than 6 inches
2017/04/03 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 238,476 Greater than 6 inches
2016/04/07 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 232,066 Greater than 6 inches
2016/04/05 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 123,816 Greater than 6 inches
2016/03/31 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 553,355 Greater than 6 inches
2016/01/28 Spring-Summer Chinook 127,112 Less than 6 inches
2016/01/15 Spring-Summer Chinook 250,306 Less than 6 inches
2015/04/07 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 244,554 Greater than 6 inches
2014/04/24 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 226,718 Greater than 6 inches
2012/04/11 Steelhead Trout 179,433 Greater than 6 inches
2011/04/15 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 375,302 Greater than 6 inches
2011/04/14 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 138,672 Greater than 6 inches
2011/04/12 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 229,509 Greater than 6 inches
2010/04/19 Steelhead Trout 362,327 Greater than 6 inches
2009/04/16 Steelhead Trout 263,999 Greater than 6 inches
2009/04/14 Steelhead Trout 265,589 Greater than 6 inches
2009/04/08 Spring-Summer Chinook 703,101 Less than 6 inches
2008/04/15 Steelhead Trout 247,619 Greater than 6 inches
2007/04/13 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 272,819 Greater than 6 inches
2006/09/05 Spring-Summer Chinook 102 Adults
2006/04/17 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 289,508 Greater than 6 inches
2005/04/11 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 317,032 Greater than 6 inches
2004/04/19 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 314,666 Greater than 6 inches
2003/09/26 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 22,599 Less than 6 inches
2003/04/18 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 149,664 Greater than 6 inches
2003/04/14 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 682,889 Greater than 6 inches
2002/09/30 Spring-Summer Chinook 123,677 Less than 6 inches
2002/04/19 Steelhead Trout 138,769 Greater than 6 inches
2002/04/15 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 585,699 Greater than 6 inches
2002/03/15 Steelhead Trout 389 Adults
2002/03/08 Steelhead Trout 659 Adults
2001/04/19 Steelhead Trout 97,766 Greater than 6 inches
2001/04/16 Steelhead Trout 645,863 Greater than 6 inches
2000/04/19 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 311,416 Greater than 6 inches
2000/04/17 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 622,567 Greater than 6 inches
1999/04/27 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 400,465 Greater than 6 inches
1999/04/19 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 594,711 Greater than 6 inches
1998/04/27 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 487,792 Less than 6 inches
1998/04/20 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 606,201 Less than 6 inches
1997/04/30 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 59,042 Less than 6 inches
1997/04/29 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 341,936 Less than 6 inches
1997/04/28 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 20,052 Less than 6 inches
1997/04/21 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 728,328 Less than 6 inches
1997/03/21 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 207 Unknown size
1997/03/20 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 205 Adults
1996/04/22 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 582,367 Less than 6 inches
1996/04/18 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 126,009 Less than 6 inches
1996/04/17 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 185,214 Less than 6 inches
1995/04/20 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 105,402 Less than 6 inches
1995/04/19 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 298,848 Less than 6 inches
1995/04/17 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 674,741 Greater than 6 inches
1994/04/18 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 184,380 Less than 6 inches
1993/04/19 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 739,629 Less than 6 inches
1993/04/14 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 18,265 Less than 6 inches
1993/04/13 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 332,860 Less than 6 inches
1993/04/12 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 301,500 Less than 6 inches
1992/04/20 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 735,741 Less than 6 inches
1991/04/16 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 467,757 Less than 6 inches
1989/05/03 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 21,182 Greater than 6 inches
1989/04/26 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 25,192 Less than 6 inches
1989/04/24 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 67,338 Greater than 6 inches
1989/04/24 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 30,091 Less than 6 inches
1988/04/28 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 165,055 Less than 6 inches
1987/04/17 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 67,818 Less than 6 inches
1987/04/16 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 18,522 Greater than 6 inches
1987/04/16 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 45,120 Less than 6 inches
1987/04/15 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 38,385 Greater than 6 inches
1987/04/14 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 89,627 Less than 6 inches
1987/04/13 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 38,598 Greater than 6 inches
1986/07/17 Rainbow Trout 1,018 Greater than 6 inches
1986/06/19 Rainbow Trout 2,026 Greater than 6 inches
1986/04/28 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 202,108 Less than 6 inches
1986/04/25 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 86,643 Less than 6 inches
1986/04/24 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 47,502 Less than 6 inches
1986/04/23 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 38,980 Less than 6 inches
1986/04/21 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 43,120 Less than 6 inches
1986/04/18 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 130,093 Less than 6 inches
1986/04/17 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 97,554 Less than 6 inches
1986/04/16 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 109,698 Less than 6 inches
1985/06/21 Rainbow Trout 480 Greater than 6 inches
1985/06/19 Rainbow Trout 640 Greater than 6 inches
1985/06/18 Rainbow Trout 1,600 Greater than 6 inches
1984/08/08 Rainbow Trout 3,200 Greater than 6 inches
1984/05/02 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 46,088 Less than 6 inches
1984/05/01 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 66,988 Less than 6 inches
1984/04/30 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 115,766 Greater than 6 inches
1983/05/13 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 101,087 Less than 6 inches
1983/05/12 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 92,676 Less than 6 inches
1983/05/11 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 96,734 Less than 6 inches
1983/05/10 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 104,685 Less than 6 inches
1983/05/09 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 101,289 Less than 6 inches
1982/08/21 Rainbow Trout 1,350 Less than 6 inches
1982/08/05 Rainbow Trout 1,190 Greater than 6 inches
1982/05/06 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 139,520 Less than 6 inches
1982/05/05 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 104,416 Less than 6 inches
1982/05/04 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 137,875 Less than 6 inches
1981/07/15 Rainbow Trout 832 Greater than 6 inches
1981/06/11 Rainbow Trout 700 Greater than 6 inches
1981/04/29 Steelhead Trout 72,435 Less than 6 inches
1981/04/28 Steelhead Trout 145,362 Less than 6 inches
1981/04/27 Steelhead Trout 215,675 Less than 6 inches
1980/07/10 Rainbow Trout 990 Greater than 6 inches
1980/06/27 Rainbow Trout 680 Greater than 6 inches
1980/06/20 Rainbow Trout 1,050 Greater than 6 inches
1980/06/18 Steelhead Trout 500,000 Less than 6 inches
1979/06/18 Steelhead Trout 500,000 Less than 6 inches
1979/04/24 Spring-Summer Chinook 44,373 Less than 6 inches
1978/06/06 Steelhead Trout 500,000 Less than 6 inches
1978/04/17 Steelhead Trout 800 Adults
1977/07/12 Spring-Summer Chinook 80,600 Less than 6 inches
1977/06/08 Spring-Summer Chinook 100 Adults
1977/06/07 Spring-Summer Chinook 78 Adults
1977/04/02 Spring-Summer Chinook 37,500 Less than 6 inches
1977/04/01 Spring-Summer Chinook 36,750 Less than 6 inches
1977/03/31 Spring-Summer Chinook 37,500 Less than 6 inches
1977/03/30 Spring-Summer Chinook 63,000 Less than 6 inches
1977/03/29 Spring-Summer Chinook 31,500 Less than 6 inches
1976/07/09 Rainbow Trout 925 Greater than 6 inches
1976/07/07 Rainbow Trout 1,480 Greater than 6 inches
1976/07/06 Spring-Summer Chinook 65,960 Less than 6 inches
1976/07/01 Rainbow Trout 2,280 Greater than 6 inches
1976/06/16 Rainbow Trout 1,900 Greater than 6 inches
1976/04/15 Spring-Summer Chinook 73,100 Less than 6 inches
1976/04/14 Spring-Summer Chinook 66,600 Less than 6 inches
1975/07/17 Rainbow Trout 2,560 Greater than 6 inches
1975/04/10 Spring-Summer Chinook 35,100 Less than 6 inches
1973/06/26 Rainbow Trout 3,680 Greater than 6 inches
1973/06/19 Spring-Summer Chinook 1,358 Adults
1973/06/12 Rainbow Trout 2,580 Greater than 6 inches
1973/05/03 Steelhead Trout 200,880 Less than 6 inches
1973/04/27 Steelhead Trout 165,656 Less than 6 inches
1973/04/26 Steelhead Trout 164,133 Less than 6 inches
1973/04/24 Steelhead Trout 124,429 Less than 6 inches
1973/04/23 Steelhead Trout 60,159 Less than 6 inches
1973/04/20 Steelhead Trout 326,755 Less than 6 inches
1972/10/25 Steelhead Trout 217,800 Less than 6 inches
1972/07/10 Rainbow Trout 3,100 Greater than 6 inches
1971/07/22 Rainbow Trout 4,100 Greater than 6 inches
1970/07/17 Rainbow Trout 3,840 Greater than 6 inches
1969/07/10 Rainbow Trout 2,530 Greater than 6 inches
1969/06/16 Rainbow Trout 2,200 Greater than 6 inches
1968/08/02 Rainbow Trout 1,680 Greater than 6 inches
Source: IDFG Fish Stocking Database.

Licenses and Tags

Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
 

See our separate pages for Chinook, Coho and Steelhead Seasons and Rules

Fishing Rules, 2022 - 2024

All Waters Open All Year

Except as modified in Special Rules
Fishing is not allowed within the posted upstream and downstream boundary of any fish weir or trap.

Daily Bag Limits

The following daily bag limits apply to all waters within each region except as modified in the Special Rules. The possession limit is 3-times the daily bag limit after the second day of the season.

Special Rules

South Fork Clearwater River
  • Single-pointed barbless hooks are required while fishing for steelhead and salmon
  • Cutthroat Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release only
Clearwater Region Bag Limits
Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)

  • In rivers and streams, no bag, size or possession limits
  • In lakes and reservoirs, limit is 6, both species combined

Brook Trout

  • Brook Trout limit is 25

Bull Trout

  • Bull Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release

Kokanee

  • Kokanee limit is 25

Salmon 

  • Spring and summer Chinook Salmon seasons and limits are set annually by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and issued in separate brochures
  • Seasons and limits for fall Chinook Salmon and Coho Salmon can be found here
  • Sockeye Salmon limit is 0 and fishing for or targeting Sockeye Salmon is illegal
  • Fishing for or targeting salmon is prohibited unless a salmon season is specifically opened for that water

Steelhead (ocean-going)

  • Defined as Rainbow Trout longer than twenty (20) inches in length in the Snake River drainage below Hells Canyon Dam, the Salmon River drainage (excluding lakes and reservoirs), and the Clearwater River drainage (excluding that portion above Dworshak Dam, and lakes)
  • Seasons and limits for steelhead can be found here
  • Fishing for or targeting steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season is specifically opened for that water 

Sturgeon

  • Sturgeon limit is 0, catch-and-release
  • Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be released upon landing
  • Barbless hooks are required
  • Use of a sliding swivel device to secure a weight, and a lighter test line to secure weight to sliding swivel device is required. See fishing regulations for details

Tiger Muskie

  • Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches

Trout includes Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and trout hybrids (e.g. Tiger Trout)

  • In rivers and streams, trout limit is 2, all species combined
  • In lakes, reservoirs, ditches and canals, trout limit is 6, all species combined
  • Does not include Bull Trout and Brook Trout which are listed separately

Whitefish

  • Whitefish limit is 25

Protected Nongame Fish includes Pacific Lamprey and Sand Roller

  • May not be harvested or possessed

All Other Fish Species includes bullfrogs and crayfish

  • No bag, size or possession limit
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