Fly Fishing in Idaho
Native cutthroat in the backcountry, big rainbows on the Henrys Fork, spring creek trout on Silver Creek and steelhead on the Clearwater and Salmon: Idaho has some of the best trout water in the West.
- 20River guides
- 20Game fish
- Late Jun–SepPrime season
Flows right now in Idaho
2 of 8 top rivers are flowing normal for today
- Snake River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 266 cfs Normal 25th–75th percentile updated 50 minutes ago
- Owyhee River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 17 cfs Above normal 76th–90th percentile updated 25 minutes ago
- Saint Joe River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 47 cfs Much below normal Below the 10th percentile updated 1 hour ago
- Big Lost River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 104 cfs Normal 25th–75th percentile updated 1 hour ago
- Big Wood River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 54 cfs Below normal 10th–24th percentile updated 2 hours ago
- Teton River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 397 cfs Much below normal Below the 10th percentile updated 1 hour ago
- Clearwater River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 1,160 cfs Below normal 10th–24th percentile updated 1 hour ago
- Silver Creek(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab) 98 cfs Below normal 10th–24th percentile updated 2 hours ago
USGS readings compared with each gage's daily flow percentiles (historical record for today's date).
Check the water before you go
Live flows, hatches and fishability ratings for every one of these rivers, in the free FlyFishFinder app.
When to go
How busy the hatches are each month across Idaho, from the watershed hatch charts.
- Fewer to more hatches
- Prime season
- Runoff
- This month
Typical hatches in Idaho in October
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Blue-Winged Olive PeakMayfly
Snake River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), Owyhee River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), Saint Joe River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab)
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October Caddis PeakCaddis
Snake River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), Owyhee River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), Saint Joe River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab)
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Mahogany DunMayfly
Big Lost River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), Big Wood River(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab), Henrys Fork(USGS gage page, opens in a new tab)
Starting next month: Midge
Smaller streams often see lighter or later hatches; check local reports.
Fish in Idaho
Tap a fish to see every Idaho river that holds it.
Bull Trout
In 9 river guides
Common Carp
In 7 river guides
Redband Trout
In 6 river guides
Brook Trout
In 5 river guides
Brown Trout
In 5 river guides
12 more game fish
Fly fishing in Idaho
Idaho's fly fishing is built on native trout. Westslope cutthroat fill the rivers of the north and the central mountains, from the St. Joe and the Lochsa to the Selway and the Middle Fork of the Salmon, and Yellowstone cutthroat hold in the upper Snake River drainage. Much of this water runs through national forest and wilderness, so public access is good.
In the east, the Henrys Fork is one of the best-known dry fly rivers in the country, with wild rainbows that rise to mayflies in slow, clear water. The South Fork of the Snake holds cutthroat and browns. In the south-central part of the state, Silver Creek and the Big Wood River near Sun Valley draw anglers for selective spring creek trout and freestone pocket water.
Idaho also gets steelhead and salmon from the Pacific, hundreds of miles inland. The Clearwater and the Salmon are the big steelhead rivers, fished from fall into spring. Bull trout live in many of the same cold rivers and are protected, so release any you hook.
Tips for fishing Idaho
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Slow down on the Henrys Fork
The rainbows on the flat water see a lot of flies. Find a rising fish, get into position and make one careful drift with a long leader and a small fly.
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Fish dries for cutthroat
Westslope cutthroat in the St. Joe, Lochsa and Selway often rise readily to attractor dries. A 4 or 5 weight and a box of Stimulators and Parachute Adams goes a long way.
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Follow the hatches
Salmonflies and golden stones typically hatch on some rivers in early summer, followed by PMDs, drakes and caddis. Late summer means hoppers along the banks.
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Swing for steelhead
On the Clearwater and Salmon, swing or nymph the runs from fall into spring with a 7 or 8 weight. Know how to tell a hatchery fish from a wild one before you go.
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Handle bull trout with care
Bull trout are protected. If you hook one, keep it in the water, remove the hook quickly and let it go.
Find the right Idaho river for today.
- Top Waters Today ranks the rivers near you on live conditions
- Every access point and parking area on one map
- Live flows from every USGS gauge in the state
Idaho fly fishing FAQ
Where is the best trout fishing in Idaho?
The Henrys Fork and South Fork of the Snake in the east, Silver Creek and the Big Wood near Sun Valley, and cutthroat rivers like the St. Joe, Lochsa and Selway in the north and central mountains.
What trout species live in Idaho?
Westslope and Yellowstone cutthroat, redband rainbows and bull trout are native. Rainbows, browns and brook trout are also found in many waters.
Can you fly fish for steelhead in Idaho?
Yes. Steelhead return up the Snake River system to the Clearwater, the Salmon and their tributaries, mainly fall through spring. You need a steelhead permit, and wild fish must be released.
When is the best time to fly fish in Idaho?
Summer and early fall, once runoff drops. Dam-controlled rivers and spring creeks can fish earlier in the season, and steelhead fishing runs from fall into spring.
What is Silver Creek known for?
Silver Creek is a spring creek near Picabo with large, selective rainbows and browns. Expect clear, slow water, small flies and fish that inspect everything.
What weight rod should I bring to Idaho?
A 5 weight covers most trout fishing. Bring a 3 or 4 weight for small streams and a 7 or 8 weight if you plan to fish for steelhead.
