Fishing Seasons and Rules

Official seasons and rules for fishing in Idaho

2019 - 2021 Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules

– Full booklet, pages 1-68, [PDF, 6.7 MB] – Second Edition

The 2019 - 2021 Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules booklet is available as a full download, or by section below.

2019-2021 Sections:

Contact Info, Table of Contents
– Pages 1-7, [PDF, 700 KB]
Region Maps and Special Rules Waters
- Panhandle
  – Pages 8-11, [PDF, 535 KB]
- Clearwater
  – Pages 12-15, [PDF, 810 KB]
- Southwest
  – Pages 16-21, [PDF, 1,030 KB]
- Magic Valley
  – Pages 22-28, [PDF, 1,207KB]
- Southeast
  – Pages 29-32, [PDF, 578 KB]
- Upper Snake
  – Pages 33-37, [PDF, 805 KB]
- Salmon
  – Pages 38-40, [PDF, 505 KB]
Steelhead and Salmon Information
– Pages 41-46, [PDF, 606 KB]

Steelhead anglers:

Steelhead seasons are as printed in the brochure. Keep in mind, seasons can change quickly. View our steelhead seasons and rules page for additional information.
Steelhead Seasons and Rules
General Fishing Information
– Pages 47-57, [PDF, 750 KB]
Fish Identification
– Pages 58-61, [PDF, 388 KB]
Residency Requirements, Fees
– Pages 62-66, [PDF, 466 KB]
Fish Consumption Advisory
– Page 67, [PDF, 239 KB]

Notice:

Fees and rules may change. It is your responsibility to be aware of changes since these seasons and rules were printed. Please see the fee schedules in the License, Tag and Permit Fees section for current prices.

Other Rules Information

Agency Guidance Documents - A transparency resource center for agency policies, procedures, interpretations, and/or guidance documents.

News

Fish and Game Commission approves Clearwater Coho season and shooting hours for Upland Game Bird Permit areas

Tuesday, September 15, 2020 - 12:33 PM MDT

Meeting September 15 via conference call, the Commission approved a Coho season for the Clearwater River. Fishing for Coho on the mainstem Clearwater River downstream from Memorial Bridge begins immediately with fishing allowed 7 days a week.

Coho Salmon Seasons and Rules Coho Salmon Fishing Fish and Game Commission Fishing Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Seasons and Rules Chinook Salmon Fishing Chinook Salmon Seasons and Rules Pheasant Hunting Pheasant Stocking Program Upland Game Hunting Upland Game, Furbearer and Turkey Seasons and Rules Fishing Seasons and Rules Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
10 reasons to keep fishing (or learn to fish) during late summer

Friday, August 7, 2020 - 3:07 PM MDT

Late summer can be an odd season for anglers because sometimes it feels like fishing season is winding down, but in many parts of Idaho, summer-like weather lasts through September and into October. That means lots of time remains for great fishing.

Fishing Family Fishing Waters Fishing Seasons and Rules
F&G commission approves 2020 fall Chinook salmon season

Monday, July 27, 2020 - 1:12 PM MDT

Fall Chinook fishing on the Snake, Clearwater and Salmon rivers will open Aug. 18, and Sept. 17 for the North Fork Clearwater River. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved the season during their meeting in Idaho Falls on Thursday, July 23.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Chinook Salmon Seasons and Rules Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Fish and Game Commission Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Free Fishing Day is June 13, and here's what you need to know for a fun day of fishing

Monday, June 1, 2020 - 12:03 PM MDT

Free Fishing Day is an Idaho tradition that usually includes Fish and Game employees and volunteers bringing fishing gear to various fishing spots and loaning rods, reels and tackle and helping people learn to fish. While that’s not an option because of COVID-19, it's still a great opportunity for novice anglers to experience some of the wonderful fishing opportunities Idaho has to offer.

Fishing Free Fishing Day Family Fishing Waters Fish Stocking and Schedules Learn to Fish COVID-19 Information Fishing Seasons and Rules
Rainbow trout are wrapping up their spawning season

Tuesday, May 19, 2020 - 3:40 PM MDT

Recent low water in the Wood River Valley due to a below average winter snowpack has made it easier to witness the annual spring spawning ritual of rainbow trout in the Big Wood River and its tributaries.

Magic Valley Region Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
The fish await, but facilities may be limited for Memorial Day weekend

Wednesday, May 13, 2020 - 4:29 PM MDT

Due to COVID-19, Memorial Day will be memorable in ways people hadn’t anticipated, but fishing will remain a favorite activity during the holiday weekend. Fish and Game crews have been stocking trout and other fish, and anglers will have ample opportunity to catch them.

Fishing Family Fishing Waters Fishing Seasons and Rules COVID-19 Information
Anglers can buy a ready-to-use fishing license with their smartphones

Tuesday, May 12, 2020 - 3:13 PM MDT

If you have a smartphone and internet access, you can buy and download an fishing license and be ready to fish. If you already have an account on Fish and Game’s licensing system, you can visit https://idfg.huntfishidaho.net and login using your user name and the password associated with your account. If you haven't, you can follow these steps to buy a license.

Licenses, tags, and permits Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules

Idaho Fishing 2019-2021 Seasons and Rules booklet cover

The Rules Brochures

Online rules brochures are created in PDF file format. They are produced to keep the online display as close as possible to the printed version.

Printed copies of the rules brochure can be picked up, without charge, at local license vendors or by calling 208-334-3700 to receive a copy by mail.

To view Idaho Fish and Game administrative rules and code, visit the Office of Administrative Rules on the Idaho Department of Administration website.

To advertise in future Idaho Fish and Game rules brochures, call: Rotary Offset Press: 1-253-216-1256.