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.

Interactive Map
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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
2024/03/27 Steelhead 260,951 Catchable (6+ inches)
2023/03/31 Steelhead 220,881 Catchable (6+ inches)
2022/03/25 Steelhead 264,950 Catchable (6+ inches)
2021/03/26 Steelhead 238,402 Catchable (6+ inches)
2020/03/26 Steelhead 92,351 Catchable (6+ inches)
2020/03/25 Steelhead 163,952 Catchable (6+ inches)
2020/03/24 Steelhead 391,581 Catchable (6+ inches)
2019/03/25 Steelhead 189,009 Catchable (6+ inches)
2018/04/12 Steelhead 131,430 Catchable (6+ inches)
2018/04/10 Steelhead 233,792 Catchable (6+ inches)
2018/04/04 Steelhead 540,830 Catchable (6+ inches)
2017/04/03 Steelhead 238,476 Catchable (6+ inches)
2016/04/07 Steelhead 232,066 Catchable (6+ inches)
2016/04/05 Steelhead 123,816 Catchable (6+ inches)
2016/03/31 Steelhead 553,355 Catchable (6+ inches)
2016/01/28 Chinook Salmon 127,112 Fry (0-3 inches)
2016/01/15 Chinook Salmon 250,306 Fry (0-3 inches)
2015/04/07 Steelhead 244,554 Catchable (6+ inches)
2014/04/24 Steelhead 226,718 Catchable (6+ inches)
2012/04/11 Steelhead 179,433 Catchable (6+ inches)
2011/04/15 Steelhead 375,302 Catchable (6+ inches)
2011/04/14 Steelhead 138,672 Catchable (6+ inches)
2011/04/12 Steelhead 229,509 Catchable (6+ inches)
2010/04/19 Steelhead 362,327 Catchable (6+ inches)
2009/04/16 Steelhead 263,999 Catchable (6+ inches)
2009/04/14 Steelhead 265,589 Catchable (6+ inches)
2009/04/08 Chinook Salmon 703,101 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2008/04/15 Steelhead 247,619 Catchable (6+ inches)
2007/04/13 Steelhead 272,819 Catchable (6+ inches)
2006/09/05 Chinook Salmon 102 Adults
2006/04/17 Steelhead 289,508 Catchable (6+ inches)
2005/04/11 Steelhead 317,032 Catchable (6+ inches)
2004/04/19 Steelhead 314,666 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/09/26 Steelhead 22,599 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2003/04/18 Steelhead 149,664 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/04/14 Steelhead 682,889 Catchable (6+ inches)
2002/09/30 Chinook Salmon 123,677 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2002/04/19 Steelhead 138,769 Catchable (6+ inches)
2002/04/15 Steelhead 585,699 Catchable (6+ inches)
2002/03/15 Steelhead 389 Adults
2002/03/08 Steelhead 659 Adults
2001/04/19 Steelhead 97,766 Catchable (6+ inches)
2001/04/16 Steelhead 645,863 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/04/19 Steelhead 311,416 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/04/17 Steelhead 622,567 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/04/27 Steelhead 400,465 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/04/19 Steelhead 594,711 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/04/27 Steelhead 487,792 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1998/04/20 Steelhead 606,201 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1997/04/30 Steelhead 59,042 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1997/04/29 Steelhead 341,936 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1997/04/28 Steelhead 20,052 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1997/04/21 Steelhead 728,328 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1997/03/21 Steelhead 207 Unknown Size
1997/03/20 Steelhead 205 Adults
1996/04/22 Steelhead 582,367 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1996/04/18 Steelhead 126,009 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1996/04/17 Steelhead 185,214 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1995/04/20 Steelhead 105,402 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1995/04/19 Steelhead 298,848 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1995/04/17 Steelhead 674,741 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/04/18 Steelhead 184,380 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1993/04/19 Steelhead 739,629 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1993/04/14 Steelhead 18,265 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1993/04/13 Steelhead 332,860 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1993/04/12 Steelhead 301,500 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1992/04/20 Steelhead 735,741 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1991/04/16 Steelhead 467,757 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1989/05/03 Steelhead 21,182 Catchable (6+ inches)
1989/04/26 Steelhead 25,192 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1989/04/24 Steelhead 67,338 Catchable (6+ inches)
1989/04/24 Steelhead 30,091 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1988/04/28 Steelhead 165,055 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1987/04/17 Steelhead 67,818 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1987/04/16 Steelhead 18,522 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/04/16 Steelhead 45,120 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1987/04/15 Steelhead 38,385 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/04/14 Steelhead 89,627 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1987/04/13 Steelhead 38,598 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/07/17 Rainbow Trout 1,018 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/06/19 Rainbow Trout 2,026 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/04/28 Steelhead 202,108 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1986/04/25 Steelhead 86,643 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1986/04/24 Steelhead 47,502 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1986/04/23 Steelhead 38,980 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1986/04/21 Steelhead 43,120 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1986/04/18 Steelhead 130,093 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1986/04/17 Steelhead 97,554 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1986/04/16 Steelhead 109,698 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1985/06/21 Rainbow Trout 480 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/06/19 Rainbow Trout 640 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/06/18 Rainbow Trout 1,600 Catchable (6+ inches)
1984/08/08 Rainbow Trout 3,200 Catchable (6+ inches)
1984/05/02 Steelhead 46,088 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1984/05/01 Steelhead 66,988 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1984/04/30 Steelhead 115,766 Catchable (6+ inches)
1983/05/13 Steelhead 101,087 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1983/05/12 Steelhead 92,676 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1983/05/11 Steelhead 96,734 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1983/05/10 Steelhead 104,685 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1983/05/09 Steelhead 101,289 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1982/08/21 Rainbow Trout 1,350 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1982/08/05 Rainbow Trout 1,190 Catchable (6+ inches)
1982/05/06 Steelhead 139,520 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1982/05/05 Steelhead 104,416 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1982/05/04 Steelhead 137,875 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1981/07/15 Rainbow Trout 832 Catchable (6+ inches)
1981/06/11 Rainbow Trout 700 Catchable (6+ inches)
1981/04/29 Steelhead 72,435 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1981/04/28 Steelhead 145,362 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1981/04/27 Steelhead 215,675 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1980/07/10 Rainbow Trout 990 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/06/27 Rainbow Trout 680 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/06/20 Rainbow Trout 1,050 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/06/18 Steelhead 500,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
1979/06/18 Steelhead 500,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
1979/04/24 Chinook Salmon 44,373 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1978/06/06 Steelhead 500,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
1978/04/17 Steelhead 800 Adults
1977/07/12 Chinook Salmon 80,600 Fry (0-3 inches)
1977/06/08 Chinook Salmon 100 Adults
1977/06/07 Chinook Salmon 78 Adults
1977/04/02 Chinook Salmon 37,500 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1977/04/01 Chinook Salmon 36,750 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1977/03/31 Chinook Salmon 37,500 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1977/03/30 Chinook Salmon 63,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1977/03/29 Chinook Salmon 31,500 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1976/07/09 Rainbow Trout 925 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/07/07 Rainbow Trout 1,480 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/07/06 Chinook Salmon 65,960 Fry (0-3 inches)
1976/07/01 Rainbow Trout 2,280 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/06/16 Rainbow Trout 1,900 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/04/15 Chinook Salmon 73,100 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1976/04/14 Chinook Salmon 66,600 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1975/07/17 Rainbow Trout 2,560 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/04/10 Chinook Salmon 35,100 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1973/06/26 Rainbow Trout 3,680 Catchable (6+ inches)
1973/06/19 Chinook Salmon 1,358 Adults
1973/06/12 Rainbow Trout 2,580 Catchable (6+ inches)
1973/05/03 Steelhead 200,880 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1973/04/27 Steelhead 165,656 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1973/04/26 Steelhead 164,133 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1973/04/24 Steelhead 124,429 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1973/04/23 Steelhead 60,159 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1973/04/20 Steelhead 326,755 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1972/10/25 Steelhead 217,800 Fry (0-3 inches)
1972/07/10 Rainbow Trout 3,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
1971/07/22 Rainbow Trout 4,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/07/17 Rainbow Trout 3,840 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/07/10 Rainbow Trout 2,530 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/06/16 Rainbow Trout 2,200 Catchable (6+ inches)
1968/08/02 Rainbow Trout 1,680 Catchable (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, 2025 - 2027

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.

Special Rules

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

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

Brook Trout

  • Brook Trout limit is 25
  • Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules - if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for Brook Trout

Bull Trout

  • Bull Trout - catch-and-release

Kokanee

  • Kokanee limit is 25

Salmon (ocean-run)

  • Spring and summer Chinook Salmon seasons and limits are set 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 fishing is prohibited. Defined as ocean-run Oncorhynchus nerka longer than 14 inches in the Snake River drainage below Hells Canyon Dam, the Salmon River drainage (excluding above Mosquito Flat Dam), and the Clearwater River drainage (excluding that portion above Dworshak Dam and lakes)
  • Fishing for salmon is prohibited unless a salmon season is specifically opened for that water

Steelhead (ocean-run)

  • Defined as Rainbow Trout longer than 20 inches 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)
  • Fishing for steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season is specifically opened for that water. See fishing regulations for details

Sturgeon

  • Sturgeon - catch-and-release
  • Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be released upon landing
  • Barbless hooks, sliding swivel device to secure a weight, and a lighter test line to secure weight to sliding swivel device are 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
  • Bull Trout and Brook Trout are listed separately

Walleye (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.)

  • No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged

Whitefish

  • Whitefish limit is 25
  • Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules - if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for whitefish

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, length, or possession limits
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