Idaho Fishing

Fishing on Rivers and Streams

Even before writer Ernest Hemingway fished with celebrities and friends for rainbow and brown trout on Silver Creek near Sun Valley, Idaho’s fly fishing has been famous. Anglers can wade in the flat, wide Henry’s Fork of the Snake to cast for 20-28 inch rainbow trout. The South Fork of the Snake and the Teton River are known for 14-17 inch cutthroat and 15-18 inch brown trout. The upper St. Joe River holds some of the finest native cutthroat fishing in the state. Many river running companies emphasize fly and/or cast fishing on their Snake, Salmon, Selway or other River trips. (See River Running)

Steelhead on Big Rivers

Idaho’s ocean-going steelhead rank among the world’s premier sports fish. These are fish with enough fighting power to swim 1,800 miles through eight dams to the ocean and back again. By the time they reach their birthplace in Idaho, steelhead weigh from 14 to 20+ pounds. Idaho outfitters offer trips in drift and jet boats on the Clearwater River, the Salmon River and on the Snake River in Hells Canyon. Ask about sturgeon fishing or chukar hunting combined with these trips. Seasons are fall, winter and early spring.

Lake and Reservoir Fishing

Idaho’s northern lakes surprise anglers with the beauty of their forested shores and with the big fish found in them. Northern pike top 32 pounds and Kamloops trout are more than 25 pounds in 43-mile-long, 1,000-feet-deep Lake Pend Oreille. Monster chinook and kokanee salmon are found in Coeur d’Alene Lake. Priest Lake specializes in Mackinaw that range from 3-25 pounds. Kokanee and rainbow trout attract fishermen to 54-mile long Dworshak reservoir. Hells Canyon, Oxbow and Brownlee Reservoirs are located on the Idaho/Oregon border and provide crappie, smallmouth bass, channel catfish and even prehistoric white sturgeon. Henry’s Lake in eastern Idaho is known for its brook, cutthroat and hybrid trout.

Fishing Lodges and Summer Pack Trips

Many Idaho guest ranchesand lodges specialize in fishing. They can arrange for guides for day trips. Many land-based outfitters offer summer pack trips by horse or llama transportation to remote mountain lakes and streams. Some of these same outfitters will pack your gear to remote mountain camp settings. See Guest Ranches and Trail Rides/Trips for more information.