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