Snake River
Fly fishing the Snake River in Idaho, from cutthroat water below Palisades Dam to smallmouth bass at American Falls.
- 1,506 miRiver length
- Mar–AprBest season
- 8Game fish
- 313Access points
In the FlyFishFinder appAbout the Snake
The Snake River is a huge river with more than one personality. In Idaho, fly anglers know it best for the South Fork below Palisades Dam. That tailwater runs more than 60 miles to the Henrys Fork near Menan, and Highway 26 follows much of it. The Snake carries Gold Medal and Wyoming Yellow Ribbon designations.
The fish are Yellowstone cutthroat, Snake River cutthroat, redband trout and bull trout. Farther down the river you will also find Chinook salmon, smallmouth bass, common carp and white sturgeon. Cutthroat and bull trout have special rules in many places, so read the current Idaho regulations before you fish.
Floating is the main way to fish the South Fork. Popular ramps include Byington, Conant, Lorenzo and Menan. The headwaters in Wyoming offer good wading. Below Jackson Lake the river is best floated through Jackson Hole, and the fish get bigger as you go downstream. The Henrys Fork is close by if you want a different kind of water.
The river is known for salmonflies and golden stoneflies in early summer, plus pale morning duns, blue-winged olives, March browns, skwalas and midges at other times. Hopper season and the October caddis round out the year. March and April bring fewer people. August and September are the busiest, and dry fly fishing picks up in early July.
Smallmouth bass anglers should look at Massacre Rocks State Park near American Falls and Hells Gate State Park near Lewiston.
Snake River at King Hill, ID
Is the Snake fishing today?
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Nearby gages
- Salmon River below Yankee Fork near Clayton, ID8.5 mi away Not reporting USGS 13296500
- Yankee Fork Salmon River near Clayton, ID9.2 mi away Not reporting USGS 13296000
- Valley Creek at Stanley, ID10.9 mi away Not reporting USGS 13295000
- Thompson Creek near Clayton, ID14.0 mi away Not reporting USGS 13297330
- Bruno Creek near Clayton, ID16.6 mi away Not reporting USGS 13297350
- Salmon River above East Fork near Clayton, ID22.1 mi away Not reporting USGS 13297380
- Big Wood River near Ketchum, ID29.3 mi away Not reporting USGS 13135500
- North Fork Big Lost River at Wild Horse near Chilly, ID34.4 mi away Not reporting USGS 13120000
No gages that close. Try a wider radius.
See every gage on the map and today's top 10 rivers in the free appData from the U.S. Geological Survey. Recent readings are provisional and may be revised.
Fish you'll catch
Tap a fish to see every Idaho river that holds it.
Redband Trout
Bull Trout
Chinook Salmon
Common Carp
Hatching in November
What's on the water in the Salmon watershed this month, and the fly to match.
All 10 hatches this year
Light bars show the season and dark bars the peak. The ringed month is this month.
Tips for fishing the Snake
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Float it with a guide the first time
The South Fork is big, fast and deep in places. A guide shows you the channels, the ramps and the water worth stopping to wade.
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Plan around the crowds
March and April are quieter. August and September are the most popular months, so book ramps and shuttles early.
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Carry the classics
Woolly Buggers and Elk Hair Caddis are local favorites. Add stonefly and hopper patterns for summer.
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Try the bass water
The lower Snake is an excellent smallmouth fishery. Poppers and baitfish streamers work well around rocks and slow edges.
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Handle protected fish with care
Bull trout and cutthroat have special rules in many sections. Keep them in the water and release them quickly.
Every access point on the Snake, in your pocket.
- 313 mapped access points, with parking and put-ins
- Today's Fishability score, so you fish the day that lines up
- 7-day flow and water-temp trends for every gauge on the river
Rivers near the Snake
Snake River FAQ
What is the best time to fly fish the Snake River in Idaho?
March and April are quiet and August and September are the most popular. Early July is when dry fly fishing takes off. Smallmouth bass fishing is a warm season thing.
Where can I fly fish the Snake River in Idaho?
The South Fork between Palisades Dam and Menan is the best known stretch. Smallmouth water sits near American Falls and Lewiston. The app map shows access points along the river.
Can you wade the Snake River?
Yes in places. The headwaters wade well and so do many spots near access points on the South Fork. Much of the South Fork is deep and swift, so most anglers float it.
What flies work on the Snake River?
Woolly Buggers and Elk Hair Caddis are local favorites. Salmonfly and golden stonefly patterns shine in early summer, and pale morning dun and blue-winged olive patterns cover the mayfly hatches. The FlyFishFinder app shows what is hatching and working on the Snake River today.
What fish are in the Snake River?
Yellowstone cutthroat, Snake River cutthroat, redband trout, bull trout, Chinook salmon, smallmouth bass, common carp and white sturgeon.
Are there special rules on the Snake River?
Yes. Rules change by section and by species, and cutthroat and bull trout are protected in many places. Check the current Idaho and Wyoming regulations before you go.
