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.
Idaho's Amphibians and Reptiles – Rules for collection, possession and permitting – [PDF, 650 KB]

News

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
Southern Idaho waters closed to fishing by regulation on April 1 to protect spawning rainbow trout

Monday, March 30, 2020 - 12:52 PM MDT

Sections of three Southern Idaho rivers will be closed to fishing from April 1 through the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. None of the closures are due to Covid-19 concerns. They are regular annual closures in place to protect spawning rainbow trout.

Magic Valley Region Southwest Region Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Attention anglers: Delays expected in "Tag, You're It" reward processsing, but please continue to report tags

Thursday, March 26, 2020 - 6:29 PM MDT

Due to challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, anglers who report reward tags as part of Fish and Game’s “Tag, You’re It” program should expect some delays in receiving their rewards. Jeff Dillon, fisheries research manager at Idaho Fish and Game said, “Under the current conditions, we are not going to be able to process reward tags as quickly as we normally would.

Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Chinook Salmon Fishing Steelhead Fishing COVID-19 Information
F&G commission approves 2020 spring Chinook salmon season

Monday, March 23, 2020 - 10:31 AM MDT

The Fish and Game Commission recently approved spring Chinook fishing on the Clearwater, Snake, Salmon and Little Salmon rivers to start April 25 and run until closed by the Fish and Game director. Full rules will soon be available on Fish and Game’s website. Printed rules will be available prior to the season opener.

Chinook Salmon Seasons and Rules Chinook Salmon Fishing Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

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.