Idaho's fishing scene is basically unfair to other states. With 26,000 miles of streams and rivers plus over 3,100 natural lakes, it's like someone designed a state specifically for people who lie about fish sizes.
Lake Pend Oreille: Where rainbow trout eat steroids for breakfast
Northern Idaho's Lake Pend Oreille makes other fishing lakes look like puddles. This 92,764-acre monster plunges to depths exceeding 1,170 feet, which explains why the rainbow trout grow to absolutely ridiculous sizes here.
The lake's claim to fame is its Kamloops rainbow trout, a strain that apparently missed the memo about normal fish sizes. These chrome-bright bruisers average 20-28 inches, with 4-8 pound fish being so common that locals barely raise an eyebrow. The state record rainbow from here tipped the scales at 37 pounds, which is less "fish" and more "aquatic freight train."
But wait, there's more than just trout
Smallmouth bass fishing here will ruin you for other lakes. On a decent day, catching 20-30 fish is standard, especially if you work the rocky points and submerged timber. The northern pike situation has gotten interesting too, with 30-pounders lurking near Sandpoint bridges and Oden Bay like freshwater sharks with attitude problems.
Getting on the water is refreshingly easy. Sandpoint City Beach offers a multi-lane concrete boat ramp that can handle the weekend warrior invasion, while Bayview Marina on the east shore provides another solid option. If you're not confident about finding fish in a lake this massive, Go Fish! Charters specializes in putting clients on trophy Kamloops.
Henry's Fork: The river that humbles cocky anglers
Henry's Fork isn't just famous, it's "fly fishers plan pilgrimages here" famous. This 112-mile ribbon flows through Fremont and Madison counties, offering everything from beginner-friendly stretches to sections that'll make grown anglers cry.
The Box Canyon section operates on hard mode. From June 15 through November 30, it's catch-and-release only with fly fishing mandatory. No spinning rods, no bait, no excuses. The trout here have PhDs in fly identification, having seen every pattern known to humanity and probably a few that aren't.
Current conditions show flows around 850 CFS, which is fancy river-speak for "pretty darn fishable." The PMDs are emerging in pinkish tones, requiring size 16-18 imitations if you want any chance of fooling these educated fish. Evening caddis hatches and terrestrials are also producing, assuming you can present them without looking like you're trying to club the fish with your fly line.
Getting help from the pros
When a river has been fished hard since your grandparents were in diapers, local knowledge becomes crucial. Henry's Fork Anglers has operated directly on the river since 1976, accumulating the kind of intel that turns frustrating days into memorable ones. TRR Outfitters, Orvis-endorsed since 1974, runs five fly shops and knows every productive riffle and seam.
Their current hot tip? Hit the Mesa Falls slide on Henry's Fork or the Bitch Creek slide on the Teton River. Yes, Bitch Creek is its real name. No, we don't know who named it, but they were probably having a rough fishing day.
Dworshak Reservoir: Smallmouth bass on steroids
Dworshak Reservoir has quietly become one of the premier smallmouth bass destinations in the West. This 54-mile canyon reservoir has produced multiple state records, with 6-8 pound bronzebacks caught regularly enough to make bass anglers weep with joy.
The 2024 kokanee report reads like a fish fantasy. These landlocked salmon are averaging 8.5-10 inches now, with expectations of 10-11 inches by summer 2025. That's the best kokanee fishing in four years, which means the parking lots at boat ramps will be absolutely savage on weekends.
Rainbow trout get the VIP treatment here too. Idaho Fish and Game stocks 10,000 12-inch rainbows from May through October, because apparently they believe in customer satisfaction.
The catch? Those steep canyon walls that make the reservoir gorgeous also limit shore access. You'll need a boat, or you'll need to make friends with someone who has a boat. Reel Time Fishing runs guide services if your friend with a boat is "busy" every weekend.
Silver Creek: Where trout have trust issues
Silver Creek near Picabo is what happens when you give trout a college education and a suspicious nature. This spring creek flows gin-clear through the Nature Conservancy preserve, creating some of the most technically challenging fishing in North America.
From Memorial Day weekend through November 30, it's catch-and-release only with barbless hooks and fly fishing mandatory. The trout here can spot a bad presentation from the next zip code, and they've seen enough flies to stock a shop.
The hatches that dreams are made of
Late May brings the legendary Brown Drake hatch, when even the wariest trout temporarily lose their minds. Throughout the season, you'll need to match:
- Pale Morning Duns (PMDs)
- Tricos (bring your magnifying glass)
- Blue-winged Olives (BWOs)
- Your therapist's schedule after getting skunked
Access points include the preserve headquarters, Point of Rocks, and bridge crossings on North Picabo Road. Fair warning: Silver Creek will teach you patience or drive you to take up golf.
C.J. Strike Reservoir: Desert fishing with prehistoric monsters
Who says you need mountains for good fishing? C.J. Strike Reservoir near Grandview proves that desert waters can produce giants too. The star attraction here is white sturgeon reaching 7-10 feet, which is like hooking a living submarine with an attitude.
This 7,500-acre reservoir divides neatly into three personality types:
- Snake River arm (sturgeon central)
- Bruneau arm (variety pack)
- Main pool near dam (bit of everything)
The best part? It stays ice-free most winters, so you can fish year-round while your northern friends are ice fishing and questioning their life choices. Bass regulations keep things sustainable with a 6-fish limit, but only one over 16 inches.
The supporting cast: Other waters worth your time
Northern alternatives
Priest Lake holds the state record lake trout at 57.5 pounds, caught back in 1971 when fish apparently ate better. The 23,335-acre lake also protects one of Idaho's purest westslope cutthroat populations, with 15 public boat launches ensuring everyone gets a shot at these native beauties.
Lake Coeur d'Alene surprises people with its self-sustaining Chinook salmon, established in the 1980s. The state record exceeded 40 pounds, which is hilarious considering these fish are technically landlocked. Northern pike thrive in the shallow weedy areas, with April and May producing the best action.
Central Idaho treasures
The South Fork Boise River below Anderson Ranch Dam is what tailwater dreams are made of. Trophy rainbows to 25 inches cruise these perfect temperature waters, about 90 minutes from Boise via Highway 20.
Early summer brings the Salmonfly and Golden Stonefly hatches, when trout eat like teenagers at a buffet. The river even has its own unique Pink Albert emergence, because Idaho rivers like to keep things interesting. Current flows around 1,600 CFS make for ideal floating conditions.
Anderson Ranch Reservoir itself has bounced back as a premier kokanee destination. Ten developed campgrounds and four boat launches handle the crowds, though "crowds" in Idaho terms means you might see another boat within binocular range.
Eastern Idaho showstoppers
Henry's Lake produces Yellowstone cutthroat that could double as boat anchors. Fish up to 8 pounds cruise these waters, along with the state record brook trout at 7 pounds, 1 ounce.
The 2024 stocking report is just showing off:
- 1.286 million Yellowstone cutthroat
- 201,000 hybrids
- 107,000 brook trout
That's 1.59 million reasons to buy a license. The lake enforces a 2-trout limit with an interesting twist: once you've kept your limit, you're done fishing for the day. No catch-and-release after keeping fish, which honestly makes sense when you think about it.
The paperwork: Licenses and regulations
Before you rush off to catch these Idaho monsters, let's talk legal requirements. A 2024-2025 resident fishing license costs $30.50, while non-residents pay $108.00 for the annual privilege. Kids under 14 fish free as residents, because Idaho believes in starting the addiction early.
General regulations allow 6 trout daily with possession limits of 3 times the daily bag. Bull trout are strictly catch-and-release due to their threatened status, so admire them quickly and get them back in the water.
Idaho's stocking program borders on the obsessive, with over 30 million fish released annually across 18 species. Peak spring stocking includes 410,000 catchable rainbows in May and 275,000 in June, ensuring even mediocre anglers have a fighting chance.
Seasonal strategies that actually work
Spring (March through May)
Spring in Idaho means steelhead runs peaking in March and April. The 2024-2025 season saw record returns of 20,756 steelhead on the Upper Salmon River, the highest since 2015. Pre-runoff fishing can be spectacular if you time it right, which mostly involves luck and obsessive weather monitoring.
Summer (June through August)
High mountain lakes become accessible, assuming you're willing to hike and don't mind sharing trails with people who think fishing rods are "too heavy" to pack. Lower elevation waters get technical, requiring early morning or evening sessions unless you enjoy watching fish ignore your offerings in broad daylight.
Fall (September through November)
Fall triggers pre-spawn aggression in everything with fins. Consistent hatches make for reliable dry fly fishing, and the summer crowds have mostly retreated to watch football. This might be Idaho's best-kept seasonal secret.
Winter (December through February)
Ice fishing works on Henry's Lake about 4-7 years out of 10, which are odds any gambler would take. Open rivers offer catch-and-release opportunities for the truly dedicated, while Dworshak stays ice-free for those who refuse to let winter win.
Planning resources for the obsessed
The Idaho Fish and Game Fishing Planner covers over 12,000 waters with real-time stocking data and regulations. It's basically Facebook for fish, minus the political arguments.
The Go Outdoors Idaho mobile app stores licenses offline and features the new e-tagging system for salmon and steelhead. Finally, technology that actually makes fishing easier instead of more complicated.
Local fly shops provide the kind of intel you can't get online:
- Idaho Angler in Boise
- Henry's Fork Anglers in Last Chance
- Fins & Feathers in Coeur d'Alene
The bottom line on Idaho fishing
Idaho delivers everything from desert sturgeon that could tow your boat to mountain trout that'll test your finest presentations. The state stocks fish like they're preparing for an apocalypse, maintains diverse regulations that actually make sense, and offers enough variety to keep any angler busy for several lifetimes.
Whether you're into technical spring creek fishing that requires an engineering degree or just want to catch enormous fish in spectacular settings, Idaho has waters that'll ruin you for fishing anywhere else. The biggest challenge isn't finding good fishing, it's choosing which incredible opportunity to pursue first.
Just remember to buy your license, respect the regulations, and practice catch-and-release on those trophy fish. Future you will thank present you when those monsters are still swimming around, getting even bigger and even more suspicious of your flies.
