Salmon Region

The Salmon area is home to the Salmon River, one of the few undammed waterways left in America. The river and its forks serve as the only pathways into the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness area, the largest single federally designated wilderness in the lower 48. Steelhead and salmon start and end their 900-mile journey to the ocean in this region of Idaho. Nine of Idaho’s big game animals roam the valleys and mountains in this area.

News

Nov. 16: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Monday, November 16, 2020 - 3:27 PM MST

Steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River decreased during the past week. The majority of anglers were observed downstream of North Fork in location codes 14 and 15, and due to colder temperatures, anglers were most commonly encountered during the afternoons.

Salmon Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Understanding Idaho's Steelhead Fishery - U of I study update

Thursday, November 12, 2020 - 11:22 AM MST

Now that the snow has started to fly and the weather seems a little bit more like winter, the steelhead encounter rate and catch and release mortality study is wrapping up fall tagging at Lower Granite Dam.

Wild Salmon and Steelhead Clearwater Region Salmon Region Southwest Region
Nov. 9 Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Tuesday, November 10, 2020 - 8:30 AM MST

Steelhead anglers on the upper Salmon River continued to have success during the past week. The highest amount of angler effort was observed during the weekdays, downstream of Salmon, in river location codes 15 and 16. Angler effort between the Lemhi and Pahsimeroi rivers in location code 17 increased, but remained low compared to other areas.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
New F&G licensing system makes it easier to fill out mandatory hunter reports

Monday, November 9, 2020 - 11:22 AM MST

You can submit your hunter reports with the new online licensing system or by calling (877) 268-9365. The phone option is available 24 hours per day and seven days per week. Please have your hunting tag number when calling.

Big Game Hunting Panhandle Region Clearwater Region Southwest Region Magic Valley Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Salmon Region Big Game Seasons and Rules Hunter Report Form for Deer, Elk and Pronghorn
Counting Chinook in the River of No Return

Thursday, November 5, 2020 - 3:35 PM MST

In September, IDFG conducted its annual aerial Chinook Salmon survey in the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness (i.e., Middle Fork Salmon River and tributaries) where biologists surveyed approximately 460 miles of available spawning habitat from a helicopter. Aerial surveys began in 1957 and small airplanes were initially used.

Wild Salmon and Steelhead Salmon Region Southwest Region Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Nov. 2: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Tuesday, November 3, 2020 - 8:38 AM MST

Steelhead angler effort increased again this past week on the upper Salmon River, especially downstream of North Fork, in location code 15. Angler effort upstream of North Fork, in location code 16, also increased and catch rates in this area improved considerably, averaging 17 hours per steelhead caught.

Salmon Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Salmon Region waters to be stocked with trout in early November

Friday, October 23, 2020 - 2:16 PM MDT

Idaho Department of Fish and Game will stock 1,400 rainbow trout in the 10-12 inch range at three local waters the first week of November.

Salmon Region Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)