Middle Fork Clearwater River

Tributary of the Clearwater River

  • Recommended Fishing Water

Middle Fork Clearwater River in Idaho County is 23.3 miles in length.

Interactive Map
 Download KMZ

Facilities

Motor Restriction
Yes
Boat Ramp
Yes
Dock
No
Toilet
Yes
Campground
No
ADA Access
Yes

Recommended Game Fish

Species Observed in Surveys

Fish Stocking Records

Date Species Quantity General Size
2005/04/04 Chinook Spring 624,967 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1996/04/22 Steelhead B-Run 154,271 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1985/07/24 Rainbow Unspecified 2,920 Catchable (6+ inches)
1984/06/11 Rainbow Unspecified 1,980 Catchable (6+ inches)
1983/06/09 Rainbow Unspecified 480 Catchable (6+ inches)
1981/03/18 Chinook Spring 62,261 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1981/02/06 Chinook Spring 174,617 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1979/05/03 Chinook Spring 666,544 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1979/04/09 Chinook Spring 301,029 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1977/05/16 Chinook Spring 900,200 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1977/04/26 Chinook Spring 140,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1977/04/17 Chinook Spring 360,630 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1976/05/03 Chinook Spring 71,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1976/04/06 Chinook Spring 972,200 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1975/04/21 Chinook Spring 309,460 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1975/03/26 Chinook Spring 492,705 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1974/03/25 Chinook Spring 303,803 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1972/10/11 Chinook Spring 152,270 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1972/06/16 Rainbow Unspecified 340 Catchable (6+ inches)
1972/03/20 Chinook Spring 96,032 Fingerling (3-6 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 from the Mouth of the Middle Fork Clearwater to Clear Creek

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

Middle Fork Clearwater River
  • December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekend – trout – catch-and-release
  • Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30 – trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches
  • September 1 through April 30 – No motors allowed
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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