Boise River

Tributary of the Snake River

  • Recommended Fishing Water
  • Family Fishing Water

Boise River in Ada, Boise, Canyon and Elmore Counties is 102.2 miles in length.

Interactive Map
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The Boise River offers miles of fishing in one of the finest urban trout rivers in the country. Wild trout and stocked hatchery rainbow and brown trout are abundant.

Learn more about how Fish and Game works to manage and improve Trout populations on this section of river.

Facilities

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

Directions

The Boise River is accessible along the Boise River Greenbelt from Lucky Peak Dam through most of Boise to Eagle, and points further west. There is easy access at bridges and city parks along the Boise River, with boat ramps at Willow Lane and Westmoreland Park.

Recommended Game Fish

Species Observed in Surveys

Fish Stocking Records

Date Species Quantity General Size
2009/07/22 Spring-Summer Chinook 900 Adults
2004/06/03 Spring-Summer Chinook 220 Adults
2004/05/26 Spring-Summer Chinook 220 Adults
2003/11/20 Steelhead 333 Adults
2003/11/13 Steelhead 283 Adults
2003/11/06 Steelhead 334 Adults
2002/11/05 Steelhead 333 Adults
2002/10/31 Steelhead 334 Adults
2002/10/29 Steelhead 333 Adults
2002/04/05 Steelhead 400 Adults
1993/03/08 Steelhead 12 Adults
1988/08/25 Rainbow Trout 3,000 Less than 6 inches
1978/09/08 Rainbow Trout 10,400 Less than 6 inches
1978/09/07 Rainbow Trout 4,472 Less than 6 inches
1978/08/16 Rainbow Trout 3,600 Less than 6 inches
1978/08/08 Rainbow Trout 5,280 Greater than 6 inches
1978/06/16 Rainbow Trout 2,380 Greater than 6 inches
1978/06/06 Rainbow Trout 2,025 Greater than 6 inches
1978/04/24 Brown Trout 9,555 Less than 6 inches
1978/03/22 Brown Trout 13,448 Less than 6 inches
1978/03/17 Brown Trout 3,565 Less than 6 inches
1978/03/16 Rainbow Trout 2,000 Greater than 6 inches
1978/03/01 Rainbow Trout 3,200 Greater than 6 inches
1977/11/28 Rainbow Trout 3,998 Greater than 6 inches
1977/11/14 Rainbow Trout 1,045 Greater than 6 inches
1977/07/21 Rainbow Trout 5,390 Greater than 6 inches
1977/07/15 Rainbow Trout 5,760 Greater than 6 inches
1977/06/14 Rainbow Trout 2,145 Greater than 6 inches
1977/06/13 Rainbow Trout 2,556 Greater than 6 inches
1977/06/02 Brown Trout 40,250 Less than 6 inches
1977/05/20 Rainbow Trout 480 Greater than 6 inches
1977/04/07 Rainbow Trout 4,875 Greater than 6 inches
1976/12/18 Brown Trout 11,600 Eyed Eggs
1976/12/09 Rainbow Trout 2,400 Greater than 6 inches
1976/11/15 Rainbow Trout 3,200 Greater than 6 inches
1976/08/24 Rainbow Trout 4,700 Greater than 6 inches
1976/08/23 Rainbow Trout 4,818 Greater than 6 inches
1976/07/22 Brown Trout 20,466 Less than 6 inches
1976/07/16 Rainbow Trout 2,720 Greater than 6 inches
1976/07/13 Rainbow Trout 2,700 Greater than 6 inches
1976/04/07 Rainbow Trout 3,360 Greater than 6 inches
1976/03/31 Rainbow Trout 4,480 Greater than 6 inches
1976/03/29 Brown Trout 32,384 Less than 6 inches
1976/02/12 Rainbow Trout 2,250 Greater than 6 inches
1976/02/11 Rainbow Trout 2,160 Greater than 6 inches
1975/11/19 Rainbow Trout 3,625 Greater than 6 inches
1975/11/17 Rainbow Trout 3,625 Greater than 6 inches
1975/09/30 Rainbow Trout 2,450 Greater than 6 inches
1975/09/19 Rainbow Trout 3,600 Greater than 6 inches
1975/09/17 Rainbow Trout 3,780 Greater than 6 inches
1975/08/08 Rainbow Trout 3,255 Greater than 6 inches
1975/07/14 Rainbow Trout 2,970 Greater than 6 inches
1975/06/27 Rainbow Trout 100 Greater than 6 inches
1975/06/19 Rainbow Trout 3,600 Greater than 6 inches
1975/05/06 Brown Trout 20,468 Less than 6 inches
1975/03/17 Brown Trout 34,560 Less than 6 inches
1975/02/03 Rainbow Trout 5,440 Greater than 6 inches
1974/11/26 Rainbow Trout 6,160 Greater than 6 inches
1974/11/12 Rainbow Trout 1,200 Less than 6 inches
1974/09/16 Rainbow Trout 8,000 Less than 6 inches
1974/08/09 Rainbow Trout 2,500 Less than 6 inches
1974/08/08 Rainbow Trout 2,800 Less than 6 inches
1974/07/09 Rainbow Trout 3,300 Greater than 6 inches
1974/04/23 Brown Trout 14,766 Less than 6 inches
1974/04/12 Brown Trout 4,797 Less than 6 inches
1973/12/13 Rainbow Trout 5,040 Greater than 6 inches
1973/12/12 Rainbow Trout 5,250 Greater than 6 inches
1973/10/03 Rainbow Trout 1,200 Adults
1973/09/05 Rainbow Trout 4,300 Greater than 6 inches
1973/08/06 Rainbow Trout 7,963 Greater than 6 inches
1973/07/12 Rainbow Trout 4,000 Less than 6 inches
1973/06/20 Rainbow Trout 107 Greater than 6 inches
1973/06/01 Rainbow Trout 6,140 Greater than 6 inches
1973/04/25 Rainbow Trout 2,800 Greater than 6 inches
1973/03/01 Rainbow Trout 5,040 Greater than 6 inches
1973/01/30 Rainbow Trout 3,600 Greater than 6 inches
1973/01/25 Rainbow Trout 4,200 Greater than 6 inches
1972/12/29 Rainbow Trout 3,120 Greater than 6 inches
1972/11/13 Rainbow Trout 4,800 Greater than 6 inches
1972/11/09 Rainbow Trout 3,840 Greater than 6 inches
1972/09/25 Rainbow Trout 7,920 Greater than 6 inches
1972/08/23 Rainbow Trout 6,370 Greater than 6 inches
1972/07/31 Rainbow Trout 4,875 Greater than 6 inches
1972/07/07 Rainbow Trout 2,000 Greater than 6 inches
1972/07/06 Rainbow Trout 2,000 Greater than 6 inches
1971/12/21 Rainbow Trout 2,000 Greater than 6 inches
1971/12/17 Rainbow Trout 2,000 Greater than 6 inches
1971/12/16 Rainbow Trout 6,800 Greater than 6 inches
1971/11/08 Rainbow Trout 160 Less than 6 inches
1971/09/13 Rainbow Trout 3,200 Greater than 6 inches
1971/07/29 Rainbow Trout 4,703 Less than 6 inches
1971/07/28 Rainbow Trout 2,880 Greater than 6 inches
1970/12/24 Rainbow Trout 5,940 Greater than 6 inches
1970/12/01 Rainbow Trout 35 Adults
1970/10/22 Rainbow Trout 1,920 Adults
1970/10/22 Rainbow Trout 7,980 Greater than 6 inches
1970/09/09 Rainbow Trout 500 Greater than 6 inches
1970/08/28 Rainbow Trout 6,720 Greater than 6 inches
1970/08/14 Rainbow Trout 2,220 Greater than 6 inches
1970/07/24 Rainbow Trout 5,440 Greater than 6 inches
1969/12/12 Rainbow Trout 7,140 Greater than 6 inches
1969/11/28 Rainbow Trout 7,140 Greater than 6 inches
1969/11/25 Rainbow Trout 4,000 Greater than 6 inches
1969/10/07 Rainbow Trout 2,520 Adults
1969/10/07 Rainbow Trout 7,560 Greater than 6 inches
1969/08/11 Rainbow Trout 6,450 Greater than 6 inches
1969/07/30 Rainbow Trout 3,125 Greater than 6 inches
1969/07/24 Rainbow Trout 8,000 Greater than 6 inches
1969/04/03 Rainbow Trout 4,000 Greater than 6 inches
1968/12/27 Rainbow Trout 10,200 Greater than 6 inches
1968/11/18 Rainbow Trout 13,200 Greater than 6 inches
1968/11/14 Rainbow Trout 5,700 Greater than 6 inches
1968/11/06 Rainbow Trout 3,380 Adults
1968/07/09 Rainbow Trout 2,600 Greater than 6 inches
1968/05/01 Rainbow Trout 15,000 Greater than 6 inches
1967/12/05 Rainbow Trout 3,200 Greater than 6 inches
1967/11/28 Rainbow Trout 6,000 Greater than 6 inches
1967/11/13 Rainbow Trout 7,440 Greater than 6 inches
Source: IDFG Fish Stocking Database.

Licenses and Tags

Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
 

  • See our separate page for Steelhead Season and Rules
  • Be aware of seasonal flow fluctuations. Check local parks websites for rules, facilities, and more information on river access along the Boise River Anglers are advised to check USGS flow gauging stations before embarking on a trip and use caution when wading. The best and safest fishing occurs when river flows are less than 1,500 cfs.

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

Boise River All other sections of the lower Boise River
  • Southwest Region general rules apply
Boise River From the downstream side of the East Parkcenter Bridge to the upstream side of the West Parkcenter Bridge
  • Trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches
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 must be followed when fishing for Brook Trout

Bull Trout

  • Bull Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release

Kokanee

  • Kokanee limit is 6

Salmon

  • 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 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 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 twenty (20) inches in length with the adipose fin clipped (as evidenced by a healed scar)
  • Fishing for or targeting steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season is specifically opened for that water. See fishing regulations for details

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 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
  • Does not include Bull Trout and Brook Trout which are listed separately

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 must be followed 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, size or possession limit
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