Middle Fork Boise River

Tributary of the Boise River

  • Recommended Fishing Water

Middle Fork Boise River in Elmore County is 52.4 miles in length.

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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 a 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
2024/08/13 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,699 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2024/07/17 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 725 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2024/07/16 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 761 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2024/06/12 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,520 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2023/06/14 Rainbow Trout - Triploid 1,508 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

Boise River, Middle Fork From the confluence of the North Fork upstream to Atlanta Dam
  • Trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches
  • No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
Boise River, Middle Fork All other sections of the Boise River, Middle Fork
  • Southwest Region general rules apply
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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