Lochsa River

Tributary of the Middle Fork Clearwater River

  • Recommended Fishing Water

Lochsa River in Idaho County is 100.2 miles in length.

Interactive Map
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The Lochsa River is known for excellent trout fishing on an easily accessible river. It draws avid anglers and novices alike. 

In this video, Zack Funkhouser introduces one of his fly fishing students to fish the Lochsa for Westslope Cutthroat Trout.

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
1/4/2017 Spring-Summer Chinook 16,219 Less than 6 inches
3/18/2016 Spring-Summer Chinook 244,485 Less than 6 inches
1/21/2016 Spring-Summer Chinook 293,553 Less than 6 inches
1/20/2016 Spring-Summer Chinook 309,023 Less than 6 inches
4/8/2004 Spring-Summer Chinook 56,174 Less than 6 inches
4/3/2003 Spring-Summer Chinook 52,225 Less than 6 inches
4/10/2002 Spring-Summer Chinook 57,461 Less than 6 inches
4/17/1999 Spring-Summer Chinook 47,950 Greater than 6 inches
7/21/1995 Spring-Summer Chinook 5 Adults
4/5/1995 Spring-Summer Chinook 55,300 Less than 6 inches
4/6/1992 Spring-Summer Chinook 63,457 Less than 6 inches
3/16/1992 Spring-Summer Chinook 223,627 Less than 6 inches
10/24/1991 Spring-Summer Chinook 358,372 Less than 6 inches
9/19/1991 Spring-Summer Chinook 29 Adults
3/25/1991 Spring-Summer Chinook 70,000 Less than 6 inches
9/1/1990 Spring-Summer Chinook 160 Adults
8/16/1990 Rainbow Trout 1,500 Greater than 6 inches
7/13/1990 Rainbow Trout 1,000 Greater than 6 inches
6/5/1990 Spring-Summer Chinook 62,440 Less than 6 inches
5/23/1990 Rainbow Trout 500 Greater than 6 inches
4/30/1990 Steelhead (Snake River - B Run) 51 Adults
3/29/1990 Spring-Summer Chinook 50,095 Less than 6 inches
9/10/1989 Spring-Summer Chinook 154 Adults
7/24/1989 Rainbow Trout 957 Greater than 6 inches
6/30/1989 Rainbow Trout 1,536 Greater than 6 inches
6/28/1988 Rainbow Trout 1,105 Greater than 6 inches
5/26/1988 Rainbow Trout 2,430 Greater than 6 inches
6/11/1987 Rainbow Trout 2,500 Greater than 6 inches
5/21/1987 Rainbow Trout 2,500 Greater than 6 inches
6/23/1986 Rainbow Trout 1,498 Greater than 6 inches
5/12/1986 Rainbow Trout 993 Greater than 6 inches
7/21/1985 Rainbow Trout 2,380 Greater than 6 inches
7/15/1985 Rainbow Trout 2,460 Greater than 6 inches
7/10/1985 Rainbow Trout 2,870 Greater than 6 inches
6/9/1985 Rainbow Trout 720 Greater than 6 inches
8/8/1984 Rainbow Trout 3,200 Greater than 6 inches
7/11/1984 Rainbow Trout 2,100 Greater than 6 inches
6/13/1984 Rainbow Trout 1,320 Greater than 6 inches
7/13/1983 Rainbow Trout 1,850 Greater than 6 inches
6/22/1983 Rainbow Trout 3,710 Less than 6 inches
5/27/1983 Rainbow Trout 617 Greater than 6 inches
8/21/1982 Rainbow Trout 2,700 Less than 6 inches
8/6/1982 Rainbow Trout 2,040 Greater than 6 inches
7/28/1982 Rainbow Trout 2,550 Less than 6 inches
7/19/1982 Rainbow Trout 2,400 Less than 6 inches
7/16/1981 Rainbow Trout 3,178 Greater than 6 inches
7/1/1981 Rainbow Trout 1,650 Greater than 6 inches
6/25/1981 Rainbow Trout 1,620 Greater than 6 inches
6/9/1981 Steelhead Trout 140,500 Less than 6 inches
6/8/1981 Steelhead Trout 340,000 Less than 6 inches
6/5/1981 Rainbow Trout 1,170 Greater than 6 inches
5/21/1981 Rainbow Trout 2,700 Greater than 6 inches
3/26/1981 Steelhead Trout 61 Adults
3/25/1981 Steelhead Trout 101 Adults
9/24/1980 Steelhead Trout 50,000 Less than 6 inches
7/11/1980 Rainbow Trout 1,650 Greater than 6 inches
6/25/1980 Rainbow Trout 2,380 Greater than 6 inches
6/19/1980 Rainbow Trout 1,750 Greater than 6 inches
6/17/1980 Steelhead Trout 500,000 Less than 6 inches
6/3/1980 Rainbow Trout 2,040 Greater than 6 inches
5/29/1980 Rainbow Trout 1,620 Greater than 6 inches
7/19/1979 Rainbow Trout 2,210 Greater than 6 inches
7/11/1979 Rainbow Trout 2,520 Greater than 6 inches
6/21/1979 Steelhead Trout 400,076 Less than 6 inches
6/20/1979 Rainbow Trout 1,750 Greater than 6 inches
6/13/1979 Rainbow Trout 1,500 Greater than 6 inches
6/11/1979 Steelhead Trout 400,076 Less than 6 inches
4/26/1979 Spring-Summer Chinook 29,582 Less than 6 inches
4/25/1979 Spring-Summer Chinook 44,373 Less than 6 inches
4/19/1979 Spring-Summer Chinook 44,373 Less than 6 inches
4/19/1979 Steelhead Trout 210 Adults
4/18/1979 Spring-Summer Chinook 38,034 Less than 6 inches
4/11/1979 Steelhead Trout 235 Adults
10/2/1978 Rainbow Trout 1,040 Less than 6 inches
8/3/1978 Spring-Summer Chinook 148,500 Less than 6 inches
7/25/1978 Rainbow Trout 2,590 Greater than 6 inches
7/18/1978 Rainbow Trout 4,100 Greater than 6 inches
7/12/1978 Rainbow Trout 3,120 Greater than 6 inches
6/16/1978 Steelhead Trout 500,000 Less than 6 inches
6/15/1978 Steelhead Trout 150,000 Less than 6 inches
6/13/1978 Steelhead Trout 300,000 Less than 6 inches
6/7/1978 Spring-Summer Chinook 119,500 Less than 6 inches
5/31/1978 Spring-Summer Chinook 42,500 Less than 6 inches
4/25/1978 Spring-Summer Chinook 28,800 Less than 6 inches
4/19/1978 Spring-Summer Chinook 86,400 Less than 6 inches
6/27/1977 Rainbow Trout 4,700 Greater than 6 inches
6/23/1977 Steelhead Trout 90,000 Less than 6 inches
6/14/1977 Rainbow Trout 3,440 Greater than 6 inches
6/2/1977 Rainbow Trout 2,050 Greater than 6 inches
5/24/1977 Rainbow Trout 1,595 Greater than 6 inches
4/7/1977 Spring-Summer Chinook 62,100 Less than 6 inches
4/6/1977 Spring-Summer Chinook 56,700 Less than 6 inches
4/5/1977 Spring-Summer Chinook 64,800 Less than 6 inches
7/21/1976 Rainbow Trout 2,560 Greater than 6 inches
7/20/1976 Rainbow Trout 2,560 Greater than 6 inches
7/8/1976 Rainbow Trout 2,960 Greater than 6 inches
6/30/1976 Rainbow Trout 2,280 Greater than 6 inches
6/29/1976 Rainbow Trout 2,280 Greater than 6 inches
5/3/1976 Spring-Summer Chinook 11,500 Less than 6 inches
4/30/1976 Spring-Summer Chinook 19,550 Less than 6 inches
4/29/1976 Spring-Summer Chinook 20,700 Less than 6 inches
4/28/1976 Spring-Summer Chinook 66,700 Less than 6 inches
4/27/1976 Spring-Summer Chinook 48,300 Less than 6 inches
7/30/1975 Rainbow Trout 800 Greater than 6 inches
7/23/1975 Rainbow Trout 2,100 Greater than 6 inches
7/15/1975 Rainbow Trout 2,560 Greater than 6 inches
7/10/1975 Rainbow Trout 2,080 Greater than 6 inches
7/2/1975 Rainbow Trout 2,880 Greater than 6 inches
3/27/1975 Spring-Summer Chinook 83,700 Less than 6 inches
3/26/1975 Spring-Summer Chinook 97,200 Less than 6 inches
8/7/1974 Rainbow Trout 1,710 Less than 6 inches
8/6/1974 Rainbow Trout 4,560 Less than 6 inches
7/24/1974 Rainbow Trout 1,800 Greater than 6 inches
7/2/1974 Steelhead Trout 150,000 Less than 6 inches
7/27/1973 Rainbow Trout 2,870 Greater than 6 inches
7/17/1973 Rainbow Trout 2,460 Greater than 6 inches
6/28/1973 Rainbow Trout 3,680 Greater than 6 inches
6/27/1973 Rainbow Trout 3,680 Greater than 6 inches
6/13/1973 Rainbow Trout 5,160 Greater than 6 inches
5/31/1973 Rainbow Trout 981 Greater than 6 inches
5/25/1973 Rainbow Trout 3,840 Greater than 6 inches
5/23/1973 Rainbow Trout 3,840 Greater than 6 inches
5/16/1973 Spring-Summer Chinook 356,396 Less than 6 inches
5/15/1973 Steelhead Trout 1,194 Adults
4/11/1973 Spring-Summer Chinook 25,000 Less than 6 inches
8/2/1972 Rainbow Trout 2,600 Greater than 6 inches
7/24/1972 Rainbow Trout 3,240 Greater than 6 inches
7/18/1972 Rainbow Trout 3,150 Greater than 6 inches
7/13/1972 Rainbow Trout 3,100 Greater than 6 inches
6/30/1972 Rainbow Trout 5,320 Greater than 6 inches
6/26/1972 Spring-Summer Chinook 29,800 Less than 6 inches
6/8/1972 Rainbow Trout 1,680 Greater than 6 inches
4/19/1972 Spring-Summer Chinook 327,565 Less than 6 inches
3/30/1972 Spring-Summer Chinook 116,875 Less than 6 inches
3/29/1972 Spring-Summer Chinook 70,200 Less than 6 inches
7/28/1971 Rainbow Trout 4,250 Less than 6 inches
7/13/1971 Rainbow Trout 6,160 Greater than 6 inches
7/9/1971 Rainbow Trout 7,350 Greater than 6 inches
7/8/1971 Rainbow Trout 4,900 Greater than 6 inches
7/7/1971 Rainbow Trout 4,900 Greater than 6 inches
7/1/1971 Rainbow Trout 5,740 Greater than 6 inches
3/30/1971 Spring-Summer Chinook 6,968 Less than 6 inches
3/29/1971 Spring-Summer Chinook 6,960 Less than 6 inches
3/23/1971 Spring-Summer Chinook 11,475 Less than 6 inches
7/31/1970 Rainbow Trout 1,360 Greater than 6 inches
7/28/1970 Rainbow Trout 3,060 Greater than 6 inches
7/15/1970 Rainbow Trout 3,840 Greater than 6 inches
6/23/1970 Rainbow Trout 3,720 Greater than 6 inches
6/18/1970 Rainbow Trout 3,600 Greater than 6 inches
6/4/1970 Rainbow Trout 4,650 Greater than 6 inches
6/2/1970 Rainbow Trout 3,100 Greater than 6 inches
5/27/1970 Rainbow Trout 1,760 Greater than 6 inches
8/6/1969 Rainbow Trout 4,680 Greater than 6 inches
7/29/1969 Rainbow Trout 3,000 Greater than 6 inches
7/16/1969 Rainbow Trout 2,760 Greater than 6 inches
7/9/1969 Rainbow Trout 2,760 Greater than 6 inches
6/11/1969 Rainbow Trout 2,400 Greater than 6 inches
6/6/1969 Rainbow Trout 3,150 Greater than 6 inches
6/3/1969 Rainbow Trout 2,520 Greater than 6 inches
5/29/1969 Rainbow Trout 2,520 Greater than 6 inches
7/25/1968 Rainbow Trout 3,570 Less than 6 inches
7/23/1968 Rainbow Trout 3,600 Greater than 6 inches
7/20/1968 Rainbow Trout 3,080 Greater than 6 inches
6/27/1968 Rainbow Trout 4,290 Greater than 6 inches
6/21/1968 Rainbow Trout 4,320 Greater than 6 inches
6/14/1968 Rainbow Trout 2,560 Greater than 6 inches
6/7/1968 Rainbow Trout 3,500 Greater than 6 inches
Source: IDFG Fish Stocking Database.

Licenses and Tags

Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
 

Fishing Rules

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

Lochsa River From the mouth upstream to Wilderness Gateway Campground Motor Bridge, near Highway 12 milepost 122
  • Barbless hooks required
  • December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekend - trout limit is 0, catch-and-release, no bait allowed except maggots
  • Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30 - trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches, no bait allowed
Lochsa River From Wilderness Gateway Campground Motor Bridge upstream to the confluence of Colt Killed Creek and Crooked Fork Creek
  • Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
  • No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
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 (ocean-going)
  • Salmon seasons and limits are set annually by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and issued in a separate brochure
  • 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)
  • Fishing for or targeting steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season is specifically opened for that water (see fishing regulations)
Sturgeon
  • Sturgeon limit is 0, catch-and-release
  • Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be released upon landing
  • Barbless hooks and sliding sinkers 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
  • 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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