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.
Download steelhead section Steelhead Seasons Page
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

Idaho, Utah wildlife agencies to conduct lake trout research project on Bear Lake

Monday, April 26, 2021 - 3:50 PM MDT

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game in cooperation with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will be taking a close look at the 20-year-old lake trout stocking program in Bear Lake. And, in conjunction, Fish and Game will be transferring 400 sterile lake trout from Bear Lake to Stanley Lake in Idaho.

Southeast Region Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush)
Hatchery highlights for April: Notable fish stockings around the state

Monday, March 29, 2021 - 3:10 PM MDT

Spring is here, and hatchery staff have ramped up fish stocking around the state, with trout bound for water bodies in each of Fish and Game's seven regions. About 213,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout will be stocked throughout Idaho during April, more than three times as many as they stocked in March.

Fish Stocking and Schedules Fish Stocking Forecasts Fishing Family Fishing Waters Fishing Seasons and Rules Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Anglers can help shape 2022-24 fishing seasons by proposing changes

Wednesday, March 24, 2021 - 4:16 PM MDT

Fish and Game is preparing for season setting for 2022-24 and asking anglers what changes they would like to see for the upcoming seasons. Anglers can go to the fishing seasons webpage and suggest changes for each region.

Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Provide Input on 2022-2024 Fishing Seasons
Idaho Fish and Game engaged in trout monitoring effort in the Snake River

Monday, March 22, 2021 - 4:23 PM MDT

Fish and Game biologists wish to understand whether current regulations are working relative to angler interactions in the Snake River between American Falls Reservoir and Gem Lake. Carson Watkins, Regional Fisheries Manager says, “This stretch of the Snake River has become increasingly popular with anglers in recent years, and yet few surveys had been conducted here up to this point.”

Southeast Region Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Cutthroat Trout Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)
F&G Commission sets 2021 spring season for Chinook salmon

Monday, March 22, 2021 - 2:12 PM MDT

During their meeting on March 18, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission approved spring Chinook fishing on the Snake, Lower Salmon, and Little Salmon rivers to start April 24, and run until August 8 unless closed earlier by the Fish and Game director.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Chinook Salmon
Spring steelhead anglers: Remember reduced steelhead bag limits

Tuesday, February 16, 2021 - 4:26 PM MST

Daily bag limits for the 2021 spring season are two daily and six in possession statewide.

Steelhead Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Panhandle Region Clearwater Region Magic Valley Region Southwest Region Southeast Region Upper Snake Region Salmon Region Steelhead Seasons and Rules
Anglers needed to collect steelhead broodstock on the South Fork Clearwater River

Monday, February 8, 2021 - 10:23 AM MST

Once again, Idaho Fish and Game is asking anglers to catch adult steelhead from the South Fork Clearwater River that will be used for hatchery spawners. Through early April, Fish and Game staff will be on the river from dawn to dusk, seven days a week, distributing tubes at popular fishing holes and signing up anglers interested in participating in the program.

Wild Salmon and Steelhead Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Seasons and Rules Fishing Seasons and Rules Steelhead Trout

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.