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 modified from the printed 2019-2021 1st and 2nd edition fishing brochures. The PDF reflects 2020 seasons.
Steelhead Seasons and Rules (more information)
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

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

News

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)
F&G Commission drops steelhead size restriction from Clearwater basin and portion of Snake River

Thursday, March 12, 2020 - 10:24 AM MDT

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission removed the size restriction starting March 13 on steelhead fisheries in the Clearwater River basin and Snake River downstream of Couse Creek.

Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Seasons and Rules Clearwater Region Fishing Seasons and Rules Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Trout spawning wraps up at Henrys Lake

Friday, February 28, 2020 - 4:59 PM MST

Over nine spawning dates in February, 2.8 million Yellowstone cutthroat trout eggs and 770,000 sterile hybrid trout eggs were generated.

Upper Snake Region Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) Cutbow Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii × O. mykiss)
Provide input on upcoming Chinook salmon seasons at six public meetings Feb. 18–26

Friday, January 24, 2020 - 3:05 PM MST

Don’t miss this opportunity to attend one of six public meetings to provide comments and opinions on how best to manage the 2020 Chinook salmon seasons in the Clearwater, Hells Canyon, lower Salmon, Little Salmon and South Fork Salmon rivers. Meetings will be held in Riggins, Orofino, Lewiston, Coeur d'Alene, Nampa and Cascade. You can also comment online.

Chinook Salmon Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Clearwater Region Southwest Region Panhandle Region Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Update: F&G Commission expands 2020 spring steelhead fishing season starting Jan. 1

Wednesday, December 18, 2019 - 10:55 AM MST

Commission reopened steelhead fishing in the Clearwater River and lower Snake River downstream of Couse Creek Boat Ramp beginning Jan. 1. Daily bag limit in those sections are limited to one adipose-clipped steelhead per day, none over 28 inches in length.

Steelhead Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Clearwater Region Steelhead Seasons and Rules Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)

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.