North Fork Boise River

Tributary of the Boise River

  • Recommended Fishing Water

North Fork Boise River in Boise and Elmore Counties is 50.3 miles in length.

Interactive Map
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This is a popular mountain river where anglers target a variety of salmonids within the mainstem and tributaries. Redband, bull trout, and whitefish are prized native sportfishes and may be caught readily. In addition, nonnative brook and cutthroat trout may be caught at times. This is cold, relatively sterile river. Growth rates and maximum sizes are on the lower end of the spectrum, but catch rates can more than make up for it.

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
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Date
Species
Quantity
General Size
2024/08/22 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,738 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2024/08/08 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,738 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2024/07/31 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,738 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2024/07/17 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,740 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2024/07/02 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,740 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2024/06/11 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,672 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2023/08/10 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,755 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2023/07/28 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,660 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2023/07/12 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,778 Catchable (6+ inches)
2023/06/13 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,732 Catchable (6+ inches)
2022/08/19 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,702 Catchable (6+ inches)
2022/08/17 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,452 Catchable (6+ inches)
2022/07/07 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,275 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2022/06/08 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,743 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2021/08/18 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,763 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2021/08/04 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,763 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2021/07/20 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,775 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2021/07/07 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,750 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2021/06/23 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,729 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2020/08/19 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,755 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2020/08/05 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,692 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2020/07/22 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,836 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2020/07/09 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,728 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2020/06/24 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,734 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2019/08/20 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,760 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2019/08/07 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,760 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2019/07/24 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,833 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2019/07/10 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,760 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2019/06/20 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,771 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2018/08/22 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,049 Catchable (6+ inches)
2018/08/08 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,040 Catchable (6+ inches)
2018/07/20 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,003 Catchable (6+ inches)
2018/07/10 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,990 Catchable (6+ inches)
2018/06/20 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,998 Catchable (6+ inches)
2017/08/25 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,980 Catchable (6+ inches)
2017/08/10 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,041 Catchable (6+ inches)
2017/07/24 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,998 Catchable (6+ inches)
2017/07/17 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,038 Catchable (6+ inches)
2016/07/20 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,048 Catchable (6+ inches)
2016/07/14 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,764 Catchable (6+ inches)
2016/06/28 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,992 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/08/25 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,972 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/08/18 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,036 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/07/21 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,965 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/07/07 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,030 Catchable (6+ inches)
2015/06/26 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,034 Catchable (6+ inches)
2014/08/19 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,037 Catchable (6+ inches)
2014/08/07 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,091 Catchable (6+ inches)
2014/07/08 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,512 Catchable (6+ inches)
2014/06/24 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,014 Catchable (6+ inches)
2013/07/23 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,703 Catchable (6+ inches)
2013/07/12 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,707 Catchable (6+ inches)
2013/06/26 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,666 Catchable (6+ inches)
2013/06/10 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
2012/08/08 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,420 Catchable (6+ inches)
2012/07/24 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,988 Catchable (6+ inches)
2012/07/10 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,114 Catchable (6+ inches)
2012/06/20 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,156 Catchable (6+ inches)
2011/08/09 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,149 Catchable (6+ inches)
2011/08/02 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,897 Catchable (6+ inches)
2011/07/20 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,890 Catchable (6+ inches)
2010/08/19 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,170 Catchable (6+ inches)
2010/08/03 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,275 Catchable (6+ inches)
2010/07/14 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,600 Catchable (6+ inches)
2010/06/29 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,275 Catchable (6+ inches)
2009/08/26 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,926 Catchable (6+ inches)
2009/08/12 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,725 Catchable (6+ inches)
2009/08/10 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
2009/07/21 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,240 Catchable (6+ inches)
2009/07/14 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,240 Catchable (6+ inches)
2009/06/24 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,600 Catchable (6+ inches)
2008/08/19 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,380 Catchable (6+ inches)
2008/08/05 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 780 Catchable (6+ inches)
2008/07/29 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,925 Catchable (6+ inches)
2008/07/15 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,450 Catchable (6+ inches)
2008/06/30 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,360 Catchable (6+ inches)
2007/08/15 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,660 Catchable (6+ inches)
2007/07/31 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,520 Catchable (6+ inches)
2007/07/25 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 4,130 Catchable (6+ inches)
2007/07/10 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,050 Catchable (6+ inches)
2007/06/21 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,280 Catchable (6+ inches)
2006/08/16 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,450 Catchable (6+ inches)
2006/08/14 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,450 Catchable (6+ inches)
2006/07/10 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
2006/06/28 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,450 Catchable (6+ inches)
2005/08/09 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 3,744 Catchable (6+ inches)
2005/07/26 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,981 Catchable (6+ inches)
2005/07/11 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,485 Catchable (6+ inches)
2005/06/23 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,900 Catchable (6+ inches)
2004/08/18 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,820 Catchable (6+ inches)
2004/08/03 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 3,091 Catchable (6+ inches)
2004/07/27 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,092 Catchable (6+ inches)
2004/07/13 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,650 Catchable (6+ inches)
2004/06/30 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,645 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/08/27 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,079 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/08/15 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,296 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/07/29 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,687 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/07/23 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,440 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/07/15 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 897 Catchable (6+ inches)
2003/07/01 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 759 Catchable (6+ inches)
2002/08/20 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 2,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
2002/08/07 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,200 Catchable (6+ inches)
2002/07/17 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,715 Catchable (6+ inches)
2002/07/03 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,200 Catchable (6+ inches)
2002/06/19 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 600 Catchable (6+ inches)
2001/08/08 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,395 Catchable (6+ inches)
2001/07/26 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 625 Catchable (6+ inches)
2001/07/03 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 910 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/08/09 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,725 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/08/03 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 460 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/07/25 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,502 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/07/11 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,430 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/06/27 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,068 Catchable (6+ inches)
2000/06/07 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 948 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/08/24 Rainbow Trout 1,800 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/08/11 Rainbow Trout 1,320 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/08/10 Rainbow Trout 1,850 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/07/27 Rainbow Trout 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1999/07/14 Rainbow Trout 1,620 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/10/14 Rainbow Trout 1,400 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/08/25 Rainbow Trout 3,120 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/08/06 Rainbow Trout 1,360 Catchable (6+ inches)
1998/07/16 Rainbow Trout 975 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/08/28 Rainbow Trout 1,960 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/08/05 Rainbow Trout 1,260 Catchable (6+ inches)
1997/07/16 Rainbow Trout 1,700 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/08/22 Rainbow Trout 1,400 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/08/14 Rainbow Trout 1,960 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/07/31 Rainbow Trout 980 Catchable (6+ inches)
1996/07/09 Rainbow Trout 1,845 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/07/27 Rainbow Trout 1,950 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/07/13 Rainbow Trout 1,014 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/06/29 Rainbow Trout 1,520 Catchable (6+ inches)
1994/06/02 Rainbow Trout 1,110 Catchable (6+ inches)
1993/08/27 Rainbow Trout 2,019 Catchable (6+ inches)
1993/08/11 Rainbow Trout 1,037 Catchable (6+ inches)
1993/07/28 Rainbow Trout 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1993/06/25 Cutbow - Cutthroat x Rainbow Trout 1,512 Catchable (6+ inches)
1993/06/25 Cutbow - Cutthroat x Rainbow Trout - Diploid 1,512 Catchable (6+ inches)
1992/08/12 Rainbow Trout 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1992/07/21 Rainbow Trout 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1992/07/06 Rainbow Trout 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1992/06/23 Rainbow Trout 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1992/06/08 Rainbow Trout 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1992/05/22 Rainbow Trout 1,001 Catchable (6+ inches)
1991/08/06 Rainbow Trout 2,025 Catchable (6+ inches)
1991/07/25 Rainbow Trout 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1991/07/12 Rainbow Trout 1,495 Catchable (6+ inches)
1991/06/26 Rainbow Trout 1,523 Catchable (6+ inches)
1991/06/14 Rainbow Trout 1,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1990/08/22 Rainbow Trout 1,314 Catchable (6+ inches)
1990/08/13 Rainbow Trout 1,314 Catchable (6+ inches)
1990/07/31 Rainbow Trout 1,368 Catchable (6+ inches)
1990/07/12 Rainbow Trout 1,340 Catchable (6+ inches)
1990/06/28 Rainbow Trout 1,688 Catchable (6+ inches)
1990/06/20 Rainbow Trout 1,340 Catchable (6+ inches)
1990/05/25 Rainbow Trout 1,950 Catchable (6+ inches)
1989/09/14 Rainbow Trout 775 Catchable (6+ inches)
1989/08/30 Rainbow Trout 1,240 Catchable (6+ inches)
1989/08/16 Rainbow Trout 759 Catchable (6+ inches)
1989/07/26 Rainbow Trout 2,262 Catchable (6+ inches)
1989/07/12 Rainbow Trout 760 Catchable (6+ inches)
1989/06/28 Rainbow Trout 2,250 Catchable (6+ inches)
1989/06/20 Rainbow Trout 760 Catchable (6+ inches)
1988/08/11 Rainbow Trout 1,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
1988/06/29 Rainbow Trout 4,940 Catchable (6+ inches)
1988/05/24 Rainbow Trout 2,063 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/08/28 Rainbow Trout 810 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/07/29 Rainbow Trout 2,400 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/06/25 Rainbow Trout 3,500 Catchable (6+ inches)
1987/05/19 Rainbow Trout 4,368 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/07/17 Rainbow Trout 3,750 Catchable (6+ inches)
1986/06/25 Rainbow Trout 250 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1986/06/17 Rainbow Trout 3,750 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1986/05/21 Rainbow Trout 3,750 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/08/14 Rainbow Trout 3,763 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/07/16 Rainbow Trout 3,760 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/06/26 Rainbow Trout 3,740 Catchable (6+ inches)
1985/05/23 Rainbow Trout 3,740 Catchable (6+ inches)
1984/07/30 Rainbow Trout 6,932 Catchable (6+ inches)
1984/07/12 Rainbow Trout 5,700 Catchable (6+ inches)
1983/09/01 Rainbow Trout 4,165 Catchable (6+ inches)
1983/08/09 Rainbow Trout 2,205 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1983/07/13 Rainbow Trout 5,060 Catchable (6+ inches)
1982/09/01 Rainbow Trout 5,600 Catchable (6+ inches)
1982/08/11 Rainbow Trout 3,300 Catchable (6+ inches)
1982/07/27 Rainbow Trout 3,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1981/08/20 Rainbow Trout 5,280 Catchable (6+ inches)
1981/07/27 Rainbow Trout 5,080 Catchable (6+ inches)
1981/06/23 Rainbow Trout 2,312 Catchable (6+ inches)
1981/05/22 Rainbow Trout 2,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/07/28 Rainbow Trout 5,187 Catchable (6+ inches)
1980/06/09 Rainbow Trout 3,798 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/08/20 Rainbow Trout 1,840 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/07/26 Rainbow Trout 5,940 Catchable (6+ inches)
1979/06/11 Rainbow Trout 2,750 Catchable (6+ inches)
1978/08/09 Rainbow Trout 5,490 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1978/07/10 Rainbow Trout 5,280 Catchable (6+ inches)
1977/08/04 Rainbow Trout 5,640 Catchable (6+ inches)
1977/07/11 Rainbow Trout 4,025 Catchable (6+ inches)
1977/05/24 Rainbow Trout 5,600 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1977/05/03 Brook Trout 12,330 Fry (0-3 inches)
1976/08/12 Rainbow Trout 3,060 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/07/22 Rainbow Trout 3,600 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/07/21 Rainbow Trout 3,485 Catchable (6+ inches)
1976/06/21 Rainbow Trout 4,598 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/08/12 Rainbow Trout 2,640 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/08/04 Rainbow Trout 4,100 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/07/10 Rainbow Trout 3,330 Catchable (6+ inches)
1975/06/30 Rainbow Trout 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1974/08/16 Rainbow Trout 4,420 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1974/07/11 Rainbow Trout 4,100 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1973/08/22 Rainbow Trout 4,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1973/08/01 Rainbow Trout 4,300 Catchable (6+ inches)
1973/07/17 Rainbow Trout 3,200 Catchable (6+ inches)
1973/06/11 Rainbow Trout 5,280 Catchable (6+ inches)
1973/06/08 Rainbow Trout 5,280 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/08/30 Rainbow Trout 3,335 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/08/22 Rainbow Trout 3,900 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/08/08 Rainbow Trout 3,645 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/08/07 Rainbow Trout 3,640 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/07/13 Rainbow Trout 3,200 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/07/06 Rainbow Trout 2,400 Catchable (6+ inches)
1971/08/05 Rainbow Trout 3,180 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1971/08/04 Rainbow Trout 3,313 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1971/07/14 Rainbow Trout 3,600 Catchable (6+ inches)
1971/07/12 Rainbow Trout 3,700 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/08/24 Rainbow Trout 4,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/08/12 Rainbow Trout 4,940 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/07/28 Rainbow Trout 3,060 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/06/30 Rainbow Trout 4,800 Catchable (6+ inches)
1970/06/23 Rainbow Trout 3,800 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/08/19 Rainbow Trout 7,050 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/07/14 Rainbow Trout 6,900 Catchable (6+ inches)
1969/06/20 Rainbow Trout 2,000 Catchable (6+ inches)
1968/08/13 Rainbow Trout 10,400 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1968/07/03 Rainbow Trout 6,600 Catchable (6+ inches)
1968/05/29 Rainbow Trout 4,800 Catchable (6+ inches)
Source: IDFG Fish Stocking Database.

Licenses and Tags

Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
 

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

No Special Rules for North Fork Boise River.
Southwest Region Bag Limits
Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)

  • Bass limit is 6, both species combined
  • None under 12 inches

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 6

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 illegal. 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)
  • 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 Salmon River drainage (excluding lakes and reservoirs). Between Hells Canyon Dam and Oxbow Dam and the Boise River from its mouth upstream to Barber Dam during steelhead seasons, steelhead are Rainbow Trout over 20 inches with the adipose fin clipped (as evidenced by a healed scar)
  • 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 Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Golden Trout, Arctic Grayling, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, land-locked Chinook and Coho Salmon, trout hybrids (e.g. Tiger Trout)

  • Trout limit is 6, all species combined
  • Chinook Salmon and steelhead placed in ponds are counted in the trout bag limit
  • 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

  • May not be harvested or possessed

All Other Fish Species includes bullfrogs and crayfish

  • No bag, length, or possession limits
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