Kootenai River

Tributary of the Columbia River

  • Recommended Fishing Water

Kootenai River in Boundary County is 480.1 miles in length.

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Facilities

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

Recommended Game Fish

Fish Stocking Records

Date
Species
Quantity
General Size
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Date
Species
Quantity
General Size
2020/08/26 Burbot 1,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2020/06/25 Burbot 88,500 Fry (0-3 inches)
2020/06/11 Burbot 16,500 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2020/03/20 Burbot 4,016,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
2019/11/06 Burbot 21,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2019/08/13 Burbot 155,000 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2019/07/15 Burbot 449,480 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2019/07/03 Burbot 241,221 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2019/06/05 Burbot 500,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
2019/04/23 Burbot 442,000 Fry (0-3 inches)
2018/08/10 Burbot 59,760 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2018/05/14 Burbot 2,338,883 Fry (0-3 inches)
2018/04/18 Burbot 2,580,312 Fry (0-3 inches)
2017/10/05 Burbot 19,833 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2017/10/03 Burbot 8,170 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2017/02/08 Burbot 7,122,111 Fry (0-3 inches)
2016/10/05 Burbot 93,958 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2015/10/22 Burbot 173,869 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2015/05/08 Burbot 632,590 Fry (0-3 inches)
2014/10/20 Burbot 401 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2013/10/07 Burbot 71 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2013/10/07 Burbot 41,748 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2012/10/15 Burbot 27 Catchable (12-14 inches)
2012/10/15 Burbot 107,888 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2011/10/05 Burbot 55,836 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
2010/10/01 Burbot 109 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1992/08/26 White Sturgeon 14 Catchable (6+ inches)
1992/08/26 White Sturgeon 200 Fingerling (3-6 inches)
1972/06/08 Rainbow Trout 100 Fingerling (3-6 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

Kootenai River
  • Trout limit is 2, no Rainbow or Cutthroat Trout under 16 inches
  • Sturgeon - Fishing for sturgeon in the Kootenai River is illegal
Panhandle Region Bag Limits
Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)

  • Bass 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

Burbot

  • Burbot limit is 6

Chinook Salmon (land-locked)

  • Chinook Salmon limit is 2, none under 24 inches

Kokanee

  • Kokanee limit is 15

Northern Pike (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to existing fisheries.)

  • No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged

Sturgeon

  • Fishing for sturgeon in the Kootenai River is illegal
  • Sturgeon caught incidentally must be released immediately

Tiger Muskie

  • Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches

Trout includes Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Golden Trout, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Arctic Grayling, trout hybrids (e.g. Tiger Trout)

  • 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

All Other Fish Species includes bullfrogs and crayfish

  • No bag, length, or possession limit
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