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.

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

Licenses and Tags

Learn more about IDFG Licenses, Tags & Permits
 

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

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 (ocean-going)
  • Salmon seasons and limits are set annually by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and issued in a separate brochure
  • 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 and sliding sinkers 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
  • 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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