Idaho Fishing Regulations

Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.

General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)

⚠ Bull trout: catch-and-release only (no harvest).
⚠ Special rules with gear/bait restrictions apply per water - check the regs book.
⚠ Harvest of fish is encouraged for some species (see note).

Species Limits

Species	Limit	Size / Season
Bass (largemouth & smallmouth)	6 combined
Brook trout	25	Harvest allowed during any open season
Bull trout	Catch-and-release
Burbot	6
Chinook salmon	2	Min 24 in
Kokanee	15
Tiger muskie	2	Min 40 in
Trout (brown, cutthroat, golden, lake, rainbow, arctic grayling, tiger)	6 combined
Walleye	6 (check special rules)

Waterbody-Specific Rules

Anderson Lake

Bass limit is 6, only 2 may be Largemouth Bass,

Hayden Creek and tributaries

December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day

Hayden Lake

Bass limit is 6, only 2 may be Largemouth Bass, no

Kootenai River

Trout limit is 2, no Rainbow or Cutthroat Trout

Moyie River

Trout limit is 2

Pend Oreille River

Bass limit is 6, only 2 may be Largemouth Bass, no

Priest River and tributaries

Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout

St. Maries River and tributaries

December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Spirit Lake

Kokanee limit is 25

Spokane River and tributaries

Trout limit is 2
Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout

Trestle Creek and tributaries

Closed to fishing

Upper Priest Lake and tributaries

Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Cutthroat Trout, no

Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)

Bass limit is 6, both species combined
In rivers and streams, no bag, length or possession limits,
In lakes and reservoirs, limit is 6, both species combined
Bass limit is 6, both species combined
None under 12 inches
Bass limit is 6, both species combined
None under 12 inches
Bass limit is 6, both species combined
None under 14 inches
Bass – no bag, length, or possession limits
In rivers and streams, no bag, length or possession limits,

Brook Trout

Brook Trout limit is 25
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise
Brook Trout limit is 25
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise
Brook Trout limit is 25
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise
Brook Trout limit is 25
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise
Brook Trout limit is 25
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise
Brook Trout limit is 25
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise
Brook Trout limit is 25
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise

Bull Trout

Bull Trout – catch-and-release
Bull Trout – catch-and-release
Bull Trout – catch-and-release
Bull Trout – catch-and-release
Bull Trout – catch-and-release
Bull Trout – catch-and-release

Burbot

Burbot limit is 6

Chinook Salmon (land-locked)

Chinook Salmon limit is 2, none under 24 inches

Kokanee

Kokanee limit is 15
Kokanee limit is 25
Kokanee limit is 6
Kokanee limit is 6
Kokanee limit is 6
Kokanee limit is 15
Kokanee limit is 25

Northern Pike (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful

No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged

Sturgeon

Fishing for sturgeon in the Kootenai River is illegal
Sturgeon caught incidentally must be released immediately
Sturgeon – catch-and-release
Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be
Barbless hooks, sliding swivel device to secure a weight,
Sturgeon – catch-and-release
Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be
Barbless hooks, sliding swivel device to secure a weight, and
Sturgeon – catch-and-release
Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must
Barbless hooks, sliding swivel device to secure a weight,
Sturgeon – catch-and-release
Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be
Barbless hooks, sliding swivel device to secure a weight,
Sturgeon – catch-and-release
Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be
Barbless hooks, sliding swivel device to secure a weight, and
Sturgeon – catch-and-release
Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be
Barbless hooks, sliding swivel device to secure a weight, and

Tiger Muskie

Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches
Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches
In rivers and streams, trout limit is 2, all species combined
In lakes, reservoirs, ditches and canals, trout limit is 6, all
Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches
Trout limit is 6, all species combined
Chinook Salmon and steelhead placed in ponds are
Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches
Trout limit is 6, all species combined
In rivers and streams, only 2 of the 6 trout may be
Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches
Trout limit is 6, all species combined
In rivers and streams, only 2 of the 6 trout may be
Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches
Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches
Trout limit is 6, all species combined
Chinook Salmon and steelhead placed in ponds are

Trout)

Trout limit is 6, all species combined
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through
Memorial Day weekend through November 30 –
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Walleye (Stocked illegally in this Region. May be harmful to

Harvest encouraged. No bag, length, or possession limits,
Harvest is encouraged. No bag, length, or possession limits.
Harvest is encouraged. No bag, length, or possession limits.

Whitefish

Whitefish limit is 25
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise
Whitefish limit is 25
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise
Whitefish limit is 25
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise
Whitefish limit is 25
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise
Whitefish limit is 25
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise
Whitefish limit is 25 – see Big Lost River exception
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise
Whitefish limit is 25
Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise

All Other Fish Species includes bullfrogs and crayfish

No bag, length, or possession limits
No bag, length, or possession limits
No bag, length, or possession limits
No bag, length or possession limits
No bag, length or possession limits
No bag, length or possession limits
No bag, length, or possession limits

Blue Lake (Priest River drainage) - Electric motors only

Bass limit is 6, only 2 may be Largemouth Bass,

Chase Lake - Electric motors only

Bass limit is 6, only 2 may be Largemouth Bass,

Denton Slough)

Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
Rainbow Trout catch-and-release December 1
No limit on lake trout

Clark Fork River tributaries

Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
Rainbow Trout catch-and-release December 1
No bait allowed Dec. 1 through Friday before

Memorial Day weekend

Northern Pike – Harvest is encouraged. Open
Trout limit is 2
Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
Lake Creek and tributaries, closed to fishing
Trout limit is 6, no harvest of any trout with a
Trout limit is 6, no harvest of any trout with a red
Trout limit is 6, no harvest of any trout with a red
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
Fishing closed 100 yards upstream and

South Fork upstream to Yellow Dog Creek

Trout limit is 6, no harvest of any trout with a red
Trout limit is 6, no harvest of any trout with a red
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
Trout limit is 6, no harvest of any trout with a red

River)

Rainbow Trout catch-and-release December 1

Gamble (Gamlin) Lake - Electric motors only

Closed to fishing

Granite Creek and tributaries (Pend Oreille Lake)

Closed to fishing

Largemouth Bass under 20 inches

Crappie limit is 6, none under 10 inches

Panhandle

Sturgeon - Fishing for sturgeon in the Kootenai

Mirror creeks and their tributaries)

No limit on the number of fishing rods per angler
Bass limit is 6, only 2 may be Largemouth Bass, no

Largemouth Bass under 16 inches

Lake Trout – Harvest is encouraged. No bag, length,
Cutthroat Trout – catch-and-release
Rainbow Trout limit is 2, only 1 over 20 inches
Northern Pike – Harvest is encouraged. Open
Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
Northern Pike – Harvest is encouraged. Open

Rapid Lightning Creek and tributaries)

Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
Rainbow Trout catch-and-release December 1
No bait allowed December 1 through Friday before

Creek)

Northern Pike – Harvest is encouraged. Open

Priest Lake and tributaries (including Thorofare)

Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Cutthroat Trout, no

Cutthroat Trout under 16 inches

No harvest of Cutthroat Trout in tributaries
Kokanee limit is 6
No harvest of Cutthroat Trout in tributaries
Lake Trout – Harvest is encouraged. No bag,
Kokanee limit is 6

St. Joe River and tributaries (except St. Maries River)

Trout limit is 6, no harvest of any trout with a red
Trout limit is 6, no harvest of any trout with a red
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required

Fork

December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Deer Creek Reservoir

Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Tiger Trout, no

Deyo Reservoir

Bass limit is 2, none under 16 inches

Dworshak Reservoir

Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Cutthroat Trout, no

Kelly Creek and tributaries

Trout – catch-and-release
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required

Lochsa River

Barbless hooks required
December 1 through Friday before Memorial
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Salmon River

Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose
Clearwater Region general rules apply
No bag, length, or possession limits on bass
Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose
Bass – No bag, length, or possession limits,
Southwest Region general rules apply
Bass – No bag, length, or possession limits,
Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose

Salmon River tributaries

Bass – No bag, length, or possession limits,

Selway River

Barbless hooks required
December 1 through Friday before Memorial
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Snake River

January 1 through June 30 – bass catch-and-release
July 1 through December 31 – bass limit is 2, none
Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Cutthroat Trout
Trout limit is 2, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout

Salmon (ocean-run)

Spring and summer Chinook Salmon seasons and limits
Seasons and limits for fall Chinook Salmon and Coho
Spring and summer Chinook Salmon seasons and limits are
Seasons and limits for fall Chinook Salmon and Coho
Spring and summer Chinook Salmon seasons and limits
Seasons and limits for fall Chinook Salmon and Coho

Salmon can be found on page 54

Sockeye Salmon fishing is prohibited. Defined as ocean-
Fishing for salmon is prohibited unless a salmon season is
Sockeye Salmon fishing is illegal. Defined as ocean-run
Sockeye Salmon fishing is illegal. Defined as ocean-run

Steelhead (ocean-run)

Defined as Rainbow Trout longer than 20 inches in the
Fishing for steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season
Defined as Rainbow Trout longer than 20 inches in the
Defined as Rainbow Trout longer than 20 inches in
Fishing for steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season

Sand Roller

May not be harvested or possessed

River Bridge at Orofino

Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose
Fishing between posted boundaries 100 yards

Tribal Hatchery Ladder (near Cherry Lane Bridge)

Fishing from the shoreline or wading along the

Middle Fork Clearwater rivers

Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose
September 1 through April 30 – No motors allowed
Trout limit is 2
December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through
September 1 through April 30 – No motors allowed
Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose
When fishing from Ahsahka Highway 7 Bridge,
Fishing from any watercraft or wading is

Fork Clearwater River and the Ahsahka Highway

Fishing from the shoreline or wading along the

Reservoir upstream

Barbless hooks required
December 1 through Friday before Memorial
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through
Cutthroat Trout – catch-and-release only
Single-pointed barbless hooks are required while

Crooked Fork (tributary to Lochsa River)

Trout – catch-and-release
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required

Region general rules apply

Trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
Trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches
No bait allowed, one barbless hook per fly or lure

Bridge upstream to the confluence of Colt Killed Creek

Trout – catch-and-release
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required

Mann Lake - Electric motors only

Bass limit is 2, none under 16 inches

Salmon River (page 27).

Trout limit is 2

Selway Falls Bridge at Meadow Creek

Closed to fishing

Snake River (ID/WA border upstream to Hells Canyon Dam)

Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose

Spring Valley Reservoir - Electric motors only

Bass limit is 2, none under 16 inches

Oncorhynchus nerka longer than 14 inches in the Snake River

Fishing for salmon is prohibited unless a salmon season is

Boise River from its mouth upstream to Barber Dam during

Fishing for steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season

Protected Nongame Fish includes Pacific Lamprey

May not be harvested or possessed

Ben Ross Reservoir

Bass limit is 2, none between 12 and 16 inches

Cascade Aquarium Pond

Closed to fishing

Hells Canyon Reservoir

Bass limit is 6, any size

Little Payette Lake

Bass limit is 2, none under 20 inches
Kokanee limit is 25

Oxbow Reservoir

Bass limit is 2, none between 12 and 16 inches
Kokanee – catch-and-release
December 1 to Friday of Memorial Day weekend

Rapid River and tributaries

Trout limit is 2

Roosevelt Lake

Trout – catch-and-release
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required

Stibnite Pond (Glory Hole)

Trout – catch-and-release
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required

Warren Creek

Trout limit is 2

Bear Valley Creek

Trout – catch-and-release
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required

Caldwell Ponds

Bass limit is 2, none under 20 inches

Deadwood Reservoir tributaries

Trout limit is 2
Kokanee limit is 6

Dick Knox Pond

Bass limit is 2, none under 20 inches

Lake Lowell

January 1 to June 30 - bass – catch-and-release
July 1 to December 31- bass limit is 2, none

McDevitt Pond

Trout limit is 2

M.K. Nature Center

Closed to fishing

Parkcenter Pond

Trout limit is 2
Trout limit is 2

Weiser Community Pond

Trout limit is 2

Big Creek (tributary to the Middle Fork Salmon River)

Trout – catch-and-release
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required

Brundage Reservoir and tributaries

Trout limit is 2, none over 14 inches
No bait allowed

Chamberlain Creek and tributaries

Trout limit is 2

Louie Lake (an alpine lake in the Boulder Creek drainage)

Trout limit is 2, none under 20 inches
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required

Southwest Region general rules apply

No bait allowed, one barbless hook per fly or lure
December 1 through March 31– trout – catch-
April 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Fork Salmon River)

Trout limit is 2
Trout – catch-and-release
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
Bass – No bag, length, or possession limits,

Parkcenter Bridge

Trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches

Chief Eagle Eye Creek and tributaries

Trout limit is 2

Dam to Loveridge Bridge at HW51)

Bass limit is 6, no minimum length, only 1 over

Crane Falls Lake - Electric motors only

Bass limit is 2, none under 20 inches

Owyhee River and tributaries

Bass limit is 6, any size

Sage Hen Reservoir tributaries

December 1 through June 15 - closed to fishing
June 16 through November 30 - trout limit is 2
Trout – catch-and-release
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
Bass – No bag, length, or possession limits,

Wilson Springs Ponds (all waters within the Wilson Springs

Trout limit is 2

Anderson Ranch Reservoir

Kokanee limit is 15 per day

Big Wood River

Bass – no bag, length, or possession limits
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through
April 1 through Friday before Memorial Day

Billingsley Creek

December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Devils Corral Creek

Trout limit is 2

Empire Rapids Ponds

Trout limit is 2

Sixmile Reservoir (Gunnel)

December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Jarbidge River and tributaries

Trout limit is 2

Little Wood River

Trout – catch-and-release
Fly-fishing only, barbless hooks required
Trout limit is 2

Malad River

December 1 through Friday before Memorial

Niagara Springs Creek

Closed to fishing

Sublett Reservoir tributaries

December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Vineyard Creek

November 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Willow Creek

December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day

Cutthroat Trout

Trout limit is 2, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
Salmon Region general rules apply
Trout – catch-and-release
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through
Salmon Region general rules apply
Salmon Region general rules apply

Walleye

Walleye limit is 6
Harvest is encouraged. No bag, length, or possession limits,

Protected Nongame Fish includes Norhern Leatherside

May not be harvested or possessed

Baker Lake (an alpine lake in Blaine County)

Trout limit is 2

Bridge

December 1 through March 31– trout – catch-
April 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Highway 75 Bridge near milepost 122.2

December 1 through March 31 – trout – catch-
April 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through
April 1 through Friday before Memorial Day

River

December 1 through March 31 – trout – catch-
April 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Big Wood River Tributaries (upstream of Magic Reservoir)

Bass – no bag, length, or possession limits
December 1 through March 31 – trout – catch-
April 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Box Canyon Creek (tributary to the Snake River)

Trout limit is 2

Bruneau Dunes State Park - Electric motors only

Bass limit is 2, none under 20 inches

Hagerman Wildlife Management Area - No motors

November 1 through the last day of February –

State Fish Hatchery Diversion

November 1 through the last day of February –

Minnidoka NWR) upstream to Eagle Rock

Bass limit is 2, any size
Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Cutthroat Trout
Bass limit is 2, any size
Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Cutthroat Trout
Bass limit is 2, any size

Valley Region general rules apply

Trout limit is 2

Magic Reservoir (from Magic Dam to the posted boundary

Bass – No bag, length, or possession limits,

Silver Creek - No motors.

Open all year
Trout limit is 2, none between 12 and 16 inches

Highway 20 west of Picabo upstream to the confluence

No fishing from rafts or boats; float tubes are
December 1 through the Friday before Memorial
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through
No fishing from rafts or boats; float tubes are
April 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Silver Creek Preserve property (See map on page

No fishing from rafts or boats; float tubes are
December 1 through the Friday before Memorial
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through
December 1 through the Friday before Memorial
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Sublett Reservoir (see also Sublett Reservoir tributaries)

December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Willow Creek (tributary to Camas Creek)

Trout limit is 2

Bear Lake

From the mouth of St. Charles Creek (Little

American Falls Reservoir

Bass limit is 2, any size

Blackfoot Reservoir

Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
Bass – No bag, length, or possession limits,

Blackfoot River and tributaries

Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
May 1 through June 30 – closed to fishing
July 1 through April 30 – trout limit is 6, no

Chesterfield Reservoir

Trout limit is 2

Condie Reservoir

Bass limit is 2, none under 20 inches

Daniels Reservoir

Trout limit is 2, none under 20 inches
One line only when ice fishing
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required

Deep Creek Reservoir

Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Cutthroat Trout
No length, bag, or possession limits on Bass

Fish Haven Creek

December 1 through June 30 – closed to fishing

Glendale Reservoir

Bass limit is 2, none under 16 inches

Little Blackfoot River and tributaries

Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout

McCoy Creek and tributaries

Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout

Oneida Narrows Reservoir

Walleye limit is 6
Bass limit is 6, any size

St. Charles Creek

December 1 through June 30 – closed to fishing

Springfield Reservoir

Trout limit is 2, none under 20 inches
One line only when ice fishing
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required

Treasureton Reservoir

Trout limit is 2, none under 20 inches
Bass – no bag, length, or possession limits
One line only when ice fishing
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required

Cisco (Bear Lake only)

Cisco limit is 30

Protected Nongame Fish includes Northern Leatherside

May not be harvested or possessed

Creek) for a radius of 300 yards into the lake is

Not more than 2 baited hooks, flies, or lures per
One line only when ice fishing. Two lines permitted
Trout limit is 2
Cisco limit is 30; dip-netting permitted January 1
Whitefish limit is 10

Narrows Dam

Trout limit is 2, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
Bass limit is 6, any size

Reservoir upstream to the Wyoming state line

Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout

River and Thomas Fork Bear River)

Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout

First Creek (tributary to Deep Creek Reservoir)

December 1 through June 14 – closed to fishing

Lava Hot Springs upstream to Chesterfield Reservoir

December 1 through Friday before Memorial
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Lava Hot Springs

Southeast Region general rules apply

Southeast

Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Cutthroat Trout

Dam

October 16 – Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend – October

Gem Lake dam

Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Cutthroat Trout
Bass limit is 2, any size

Twenty-Four Mile Reservoir - No motors

Trout limit is 2, none under 20 inches
One line only when ice fishing
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required

Beaver Creek and tributaries

Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout

Becker Pond (Ryder Park Pond)

2 fish any species

Big Lost River and tributaries

December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Fall River and tributaries

Limit is 2 trout, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout

Fish Creek (Harriman State Park)

Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
Fly-fishing only

Golden Lake (Harriman State Park)

Closed to fishing
Trout limit is 2, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day

Henrys Lake Outlet

December 1 through Friday before Memorial

Henrys Lake tributaries

July 1 through March 31 – no harvest of

Jim Moore Pond

Trout limit is 2

Little Lost River and tributaries

Trout limit is 2

Mud Lake

Bass limit is 6
March 1 through July 15 – no boats, rafts or

Palisades Reservoir tributaries

Trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
No harvest of kokanee

Ririe Reservoir

Walleye – Harvest is encouraged. No bag, length,

Silver Lake (Harriman State Park)

Closed to fishing

South Fork Snake River

No harvest of Cutthroat Trout
Brown Trout limit is 2
No limit on Rainbow Trout or trout hybrids
June 1 through June 30 – closed to fishing
No harvest of Cutthroat Trout
No limit on Rainbow Trout or trout hybrids

Teardrop Lake (Snow Creek Pond)

Trout limit is 2

Thurmon Creek (Harriman State Park)

Closed to fishing

Warm River and tributaries

Closed to fishing

Tiger Trout)

Trout limit is 6, all species combined

Walleye (Have not been stocked intentionally in this Region. May

No bag, length, or possession limits, harvest is encouraged

Protected Nongame Fish including Bluehead Sucker (also

May not be harvested or possessed

Great Feeder irrigation diversion headgate

May 1 through March 31 – Upper Snake Region
April 1 through April 30 – it is legal to take fish

State Park boundary

Trout – catch-and-release (except Brook Trout)
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
December 1 through June 14 – closed to fishing
June 15 through November 30 – trout – catch-
Trout – catch-and-release (except Brook Trout)
No bait allowed, barbless hooks required

Lake Outlet

December 1 through Friday before Memorial

Brook Trout)

Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through
Closed to fishing
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

All other sections of Henrys Fork including Ashton

December 1 through Friday before Memorial

Hatchery Creek

Closed to fishing

Remainder of Henrys Lake

February 15 through Friday before Memorial
Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend through
Fishing must cease after the 2-trout daily bag

Brook Trout over 16 inches

April 1 through June 30 – closed to fishing
Hatchery Creek – closed to fishing

Horseshoe Lake (Fremont County) - no motors

Trout limit is 2

Long Lake (an alpine lake in Custer County)

Trout limit is 2, none under 20 inches

Market Lake Wildlife Management Area

March 1 through July 15 – no boats, rafts or

Medicine Lodge Creek and tributaries

Trout limit is 2, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout

Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area (motorized

December 1 through Friday before Memorial
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through
December 16 through June 30 – closed to
July 1 through December 15 – trout limit is 6;

Teton River

No limit on Rainbow Trout or hybrids
No harvest of Cutthroat Trout
June 1 through June 30 – closed to fishing
No harvest of Cutthroat Trout
No limit on Rainbow Trout or hybrids

All other sections of the Warm River

December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day

Willow Creek tributaries (includes Sellar Creek)

No harvest of Cutthroat Trout
No limit on Rainbow Trout or hybrids
June 1 through June 30 – closed to fishing

Herd Lake

Trout limit is 25

Jimmy Smith Lake

Trout limit is 25

Pahsimeroi River

December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Pettit Lake

January 1 through August 7 – Salmon Region
August 8 through December 31 – kokanee - catch-

Redfish Lake

January 1 through August 7 – Salmon Region
August 8 through December 31 – kokanee - catch-

Stanley Lake

Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Lake Trout

Wallace Lake

Trout limit is 2

River drainage (excluding above Mosquito Flat Dam)

Fishing for salmon is prohibited unless a salmon season is

Protected Nongame Fish including Pacific Lamprey

May not be harvested or possessed

Lake Creek and tributaries (above Williams Lake)

December 1 through June 30 – closed to fishing

Lake

July 1 through November 30 – Salmon Region

Lemhi River

December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Lemhi River tributaries

Salmon Region general rules apply

Pahsimeroi River tributaries

Salmon Region general rules apply

Salmon River (page 27).

Trout limit is 2
December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through
December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Yankee Fork Salmon River Dredge Ponds

December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day
Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through

Please help ensure the survival of

Use proper-sized gear and keep
Avoid pulling fish onto rock, sand,
Minimize the time out of water
Don't handle the fish by the gills
Revive the fish by gently holding it in

Fishing Rules

Any angler, who has attained the bag, possession, or season
Only single-pointed barbless hooks are allowed when
Sturgeon must be released immediately upon landing
Removing sturgeon from the water or having them in
Fishing for sturgeon in the Kootenai River is illegal
Anglers are required to use barbless hooks, a sliding swivel
Sliding Sinker for Sturgeon: A method of attaching a

Clearwater River.

Only barbless hooks may be used when fishing for salmon

Hatchery steelhead or salmon

Salmon and steelhead may be taken with barbed hooks

Canyon and Oxbow dams.

No person shall kill or retain in possession any salmon or
Fishing for salmon or steelhead is prohibited unless a
Any anadromous (ocean-run) salmon or steelhead that is
All fish that are hooked, landed, and reduced to
No person shall have in the field or in transit any salmon
Steelhead harvest and angler participation are estimated

FISH

Anglers may retain jack salmon less than 24 inches in
Anglers are not required to possess or validate their salmon
When a salmon or steelhead is released rather than reduced

Sep 1 - Dec 31

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Tips

We recommend a minimum of 50 pound test
Sturgeon can be rolled onto their backs, positioned belly-
Do not grasp a sturgeon by the gills. Gills are the lungs
If fishing from a boat and you snag the bottom, back over
If fishing from shore and you become snagged try
Do not leave discarded line on shore or in the water. It is a

Crayfish may be taken only in waters during the season set for

A maximum of five (5) crayfish traps can be fished with a
Crayfish may also be caught or harvested using your hands.
All game fish (except yellow perch) and protected nongame
All traps must have a tag attached bearing the owner’s
Crayfish may be kept alive to be used as bait only in the
Crayfish may be transported live for personal consumption.
Live crayfish may only be released back to the waterbody

Write down or photograph tag number(s). Some fish
Report online: tag.idaho.gov
Provide additional information as prompted
Some tags offer a cash reward. Simply cut or remove the

You can do your part to increase fish survival by following these

Use the proper size tackle to land the fish quickly, which
Using barbless hooks makes removing hooks easy and
Do not squeeze the fish.
Do not touch or hold fish by the gills, gill covers, or the
Minimize the time fish are out of the water.
Holding fish upside down in the water often can make
If the hook is too deep to be easily removed, cut the line
Revive the fish, if necessary, by gently holding it in the

Seasons

Varies by species and water; check seasons/limits by region.

Licence Fees

Idaho fishing license required (resident/non-resident); fees per IDFG.

Edition: 2026 Idaho Fishing Seasons & Rules (IDFG) · Effective: 2026 season · Source: Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game (idfg.idaho.gov/fish)

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