Fishing in Idaho

The state got its name from a Native American word meaning land of many waters. An important aspect of Idaho’s culture, fishing is something Idaho is well-known for. People in Idaho don’t take it as a hobby, instead it's part of their lifestyle and occupation for some. The 26000 miles of rivers and streams and more than 3000 lakes here, the state has the most diverse habitat for fishing. The presence of so many beautiful rivers and reservoirs gives the best fishing experience you’ll ever come across.

What's the Best Time to Fish?

When you plan your next fishing expedition, you need to be sure which lakes have what species of fish available so that you plan your bait as per the fish. Not all fish eat the same bait. For instance, you’d see Idaho waters filled with Crappies in the month of April till June. Trout are also found during this time of the year. But, it is advised for Trout lovers to plan their trip in September October as these times are not over-crowded and you’d be able to get larger chunks of Trout during this time. In the Boise River, you’d be able to see Trout during June to August which is rare for other fishes during this time of the year making Trout as one of the all year round available fishes in the State.

For a little time in summer, you’ll find steelhead and Chinook salmon. You’ll find Bass in different lakes and streams of Idaho from June till early October making Bass as the second most readily available fish in the state after Trout.

Types of Catch Available

Chinook Salmon

Sockeye Salmon

Coho Salmon

Atlantic Salmon

Rainbow Trout

Brown Trout

Steelhead Trout

Cutthroat Trout

Brook Trout

Largemouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Tiger Muskier

Bluegill

Crappie

Yellow Perch

Bullhead Catfish

Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Whitefish

Idaho State Fishing Records

Top 10 Fishing Spots Across Idaho

Below we have listed some of the best fishing spots this state has to offer:

C J Strike Reservoir

C J Strike Reservoir

C J Strike reservoir comes first in mind when we discuss Idaho fishing because of its easy accessibility, mild climate and a vast variety of fish present. It’s located in the south west of Idaho; this gigantic 6759-acre reservoir can be accessed in the south of the capital city Boise. You can find diverse fish species here such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, Trout of diverse categories and some Salmon species. You can also find Crappies and perch, but the number is not something much to write home about. Anglers bring their families at this destination, and the place is well known for other recreational activities like camping, boating, hiking and more.

Brownlee Reservoir

On the Oregon border, located in Cambridge, is the Brownlee Reservoir on the western Idahoan border. The reservoir is spread across 13000 acres and is 50 miles long. You’ll get to experience the best warm fishery in the entire state, and you’ll get some of the best game fishes up your sleeve including Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappies, Catfishes, Trout, Bluegill to name a few. Smallmouth lovers from the entire state would be found here as they get a heavy population around the corner.

Snake River

Snake River is the biggest state river covering its entire sea-level. Basically, Snake River is the bigger branch of the great Columbian river and flows all the way through Idaho. This river is well-divided into valleys such as the upper Snake, lower snake, and the magic valley. Fly fishing is the best form practiced on Snake, and you’ll have the opportunity to catch Rainbow and Brown Trout in the Snake’s waters in substantial numbers.

Silver Creek

If you’re a wildlife lover, this place is for you. That doesn’t mean anglers would go home disappointed. Situated just 25 miles from the Garden Valley, the place holds important position in Idaho’s tourism industry. There a peaceful valley in the region that lives up to its name which gets thousands of attractors every month who visit the area for hiking and other adventures. You can practice fly fishing here, and you’re bound to catch a few due to an apt fish population here. Species include rainbow and brown trout in good numbers.

Swan Falls Dam

Why not catch some trophy fish or one big trophy? We’re sure once you get hands on to the six-footers prevalent in the Swan Falls Dam, you won’t look anywhere else. Located near Kuna, Idaho this wonderful place is home to the largest freshwater fish in North America, yes Sturgeons! Swan Falls Dam is a well-decorated place, and expert anglers have their schedules lined up for a visit to the Swan Falls Dam to catch some Sturgeons or just one, more often than not. Although you’re allowed to take Sturgeons with you, the feeling of catching this sea giant itself is enough attraction to be at Swan Falls Dam and stay there for a while.

Lake Lowell

This lake isn’t well discovered, and the area which is just south of Nampa is not sought after. In fact, Lake Lowell is the most underrated fishing place in the state, but if you are a Bass lover, you need to be here. Since not many people know about this place chances of this lake being overfished are a bare minimum. Largemouth Bass are in most numbers, but some species of catfish and panfish are also found.

Big Wood River

One of the calmest and serene rivers of the country, Big Wood River is as scenic and spectacular as it can be. Running across the center of the state, the river puts develop its tributaries from the great Columbian and the Snake River. You can experience Fly fishing and casting to catch Rainbow Trout. In addition to Rainbow, good numbers of Brown and Brook Trout are also there.

Little Salmon River

Little Salmon River extends the ever outstretching Salmon River by 425 miles, thus making it the longest flowing river confined to a single state. You’ll get some mighty Rainbow, Cutthroat and Bull Trout here using Fly-fishing as the way to go, in case you didn’t get one, the scenic atmosphere around is worth taking a little time off from angling.

The Mighty Cascade Lake

With over 27,000 acres of water, Lake Cascade is one of the largest water entities located in the west of the state of Idaho, just north of the Capital Boise. Camping is by far the major visitor attraction here but while you camp you’ll have equal opportunities to catch some Bluegills, Crappies, Perch, Bass, Salmon and Trout.

Fishhook Creek

If you are lonely Angler, get on to Fish Hook Creek. Solitude is generally the way to go or a companion who likes a bit of an adventure as you’ll have to hike your way through to the creek, starting from the absolutely amazing Redfish Lake Lodge. It's 9-mile long and a lengthier tributary to the Redfish Lake. You’ll find two species of both salmon and trout namely Chinook, Sockeye Salmon and Bull, Cutthroat Trout.

Weight Record - Game Fish Idaho

Species	Weight (LBS.)	Length (Inches)	Girth (In.)	Location
Atlantic Salmon	13.25	29.75	17.75	Deadwood Reservoir
Black Crappie	3.56	17.5	15	Brownlee Reservoir
Bluegill	3.5			CJ Strike Reservoir
Bonneville Cutthroat	18.94			Bear Lake
Bonneville Cutthroat	3.16	19.5	11.5	Bear Lake
Brook Trout	7.06	23.5	15.5	Henrys Lake
Brown Trout	27.31	37	24	Ashton Reservoir
Bullhead Catfish	3.88	20.5	11.88	Brownlee Reservoir
Channel Catfish	31	38	23.5	Mann Lake
Chinook Salmon (fresh water)	42	41.25	29.75	Coeur d' Alene Lake
Chinook Salmon (ocean run)	54			Salmon River
Coho Salmon (fresh Water)	6	23.5		Cascade Reservoir
Coho Salmon (ocean run)	11.75	33	17	Clearwater River
Kokanee Salmon	6.59	24.5	14.5	Priest Lake
Lake Whitefish	6.5	26	23.75	Pend Oreille Lake
Largemouth Bass	10.94			Anderson Lake
Northern Pike	40.13	51.5	22.75	Lower Twin Lake
Rainbow Trout	20	34.25	22.25	Snake River
Rainbow Cutthroat Hybrid	34.74	41.13	27.13	American Falls Reservoir
Smallmouth Bass	9.72	23.75	20.5	Dworshak Reservoir
Sockeye Salmon	5	24		Redfish Lake
Pumkinseed Sunfish	0.88	9.75	10	Chase Lake

Brown Trout

Appearance

Brown trout vary greatly in appearance, but are generally olive green to brown on top, shading to a creamy, golden yellow on the sides and an off- white along the belly. Most brown trout are covered with black spots along their sides, back, and dorsal fin with each spot surrounded by a light halo. Frequently, the spots near the lateral line are red. Unlike other trout species, brown trout tails have few if any spots.

Habitat

Brown trout occupy a range of aquatic systems and habitats from Coldwater mountain streams to larger rivers, ponds and lakes.

Diet

Brown trout feed on several animal prey species, aquatic invertebrates being the most abundant prey items. However, brown trout also feed on other prey such as land-based invertebrates (e.g. Hymenoptera) or other fish. Moreover, in brown trout, as in many other fish species, a change in the diet composition normally occurs during the life of the fish, and piscivorous behavior is most frequent in large brown trout.

Fishing for Brown Trout

Fishing for brook trout with a Bubble Fly or Bubble Bait rig is a great way to catch brook trout. The Bubble allows for easy casting or float and release to get to the hard bends and deep pools. Using a spinning reel or fly rod the bubble can help get to the fish. For lake fishing the Bubble works great with a nightcrawler and letting the bubble troll the bait for you using water current or wind.

Top 5 Bubble Fly Combos for Brown Trout

Ant, Cricket, Hopper, Adams Parachute, Wullf Royal

Top 5 Bubble Bait Combos for Brown Trout

Nightcrawler, Wax Worms , Corn, Power Bait, Salmon Eggs

Bubble Fly Challenge Games for Brown Trout

Panfish & Trout

Fishing in Idaho

What's the Best Time to Fish?

Fish Species to look out for

Types of Catch Available

C J Strike Reservoir

Brownlee Reservoir

Snake River

Silver Creek

Swan Falls Dam

Lake Lowell

Big Wood River

Little Salmon River

The Mighty Cascade Lake

Fishhook Creek

Rainbow Trout

Appearance

Habitat

Diet