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Fishing regulations at Hells Gate State Park, ID
Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
Fishing regulations in Idaho can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.
Regulations for top species
Smallmouth bass
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.
ID Chumming
The use of any substance not attached to a hook that is intended to attract fish. It is illegal to chum while fishing in Idaho.
ID Illegal Methods
It is illegal to use chemicals, poisons, electric current, or explosives for fishing.
ID Shooting and Molesting Fish
It is illegal to molest any fish by shooting at it with a firearm or pellet gun, striking at it with a club, hands, rocks, or other objects, building obstructions for catching fish, or chasing fish up or downstream in any manner.
ID Weir or Fish Trip
Fishing is not allowed within the posted upstream and downstream boundary of any fish weir or trap.
ID Clipped and Unclipped Adipose Fins
Steelhead with an unclipped adipose fin must be released. Fall Chinook Salmon and Coho Salmon with an unclipped adipose fish can be kept. Spring and summer Chinook Salmon seasons are set annually and anglers should refer to season proclamations to determine if spring and summer Chinook Salmon with an unclipped adipose fin can be retained. Clipped Adipose Fin: Hatchery steelhead or salmon may be kept if the adipose fin has been clipped as evidenced by a healed scar.
ID Archery and Spear Fishing
Archery and Spear Fishing: Fishing with a bow and arrow, crossbow, spear or mechanical device, excluding firearms. This type of fishing is permitted only in the taking of bullfrogs and unprotected nongame fish and only in those waters during the season set for the taking of game fish.
ID Bait Restriction
Use of live fish, leeches, frogs, salamanders, waterdogs or shrimp as bait is prohibited in Idaho, except that live crayfish may be used if caught on the body of water being fished.
ID Number of Lines and hooks
It is unlawful to fish in any waters of Idaho with more than one (1) handline or pole with a line attached, except a person with a two (2) pole permit may use two (2) poles; or with more than five (5) lines while ice fishing; or by archery, spearfishing, snagging, hands, and netting except as permitted. Not more than five (5) hooks may be attached per line. The line or lines must be attended by the person fishing.
ID Gaff Hook
It is illegal to land fish of any species with a gaff hook except through a hole cut or broken in the ice in waters which have no length restrictions or harvest closures for that species or when landing non-game fish taken with archery equipment.
ID Fishing by Hand
The only fish you can legally catch and harvest using your hands are crayfish and bullfrogs. You must use fishing gear to harvest all other fish species.
ID Snagging
Game fish cannot be harvested unless hooked in the mouth or jaw. Snag fishing is illegal except where allowed by special rule. Snagging of unprotected nongame fish species is permitted.
ID Snake River state boundary between ID OR WA
Snake River between Idaho and Oregon or Washington:The holder of a valid Idaho fishing license may fish the Snake River where it forms the boundary between the states of Idaho and Oregon or Washington, subject to the fish and game laws of Idaho but may not fish from the shore including wading, and may not fish in sloughs or tributaries on the Oregon or Washington side. An Oregon or Washington license holder has the same rights and restrictions with reference to the Idaho side.Any angler who fishes on the Snake River or any other water forming an Idaho boundary is entitled to have in possession only the limit allowed by one license regardless of the number of licenses in possession.
ID Attendance of Fishing Gear
Attendance of Fishing Gear: You must attend to your fishing gear while fishing. This means being able to watch your rod at all times and be able to react to a potential strike.
Bass (Largemouth and Smallmouth)
• In rivers and streams, no bag, size or possession limits
• In lakes and reservoirs, limit is 6, both species combined
For more information please see https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/fish
Special Rule Waters for the Clearwater Region
Section: From the mouth upstream to the Clearwater River Bridge at Orofino- Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- Fishing between posted boundaries 100 yards upstream and downstream from the Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery Ladder (near Cherry Lane Bridge) and extending into the river channel 50 yards is prohibited
- Fishing from the shoreline or wading along the perimeter of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery is prohibited
- Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- No motors allowed
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches
- No motors allowed
- Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- When fishing from Ahsahka Highway 7 Bridge, it is illegal to take or attempt to take any fish downstream of the railroad bridge; fishing from the railroad bridge is prohibited
- Fishing from any watercraft or wading is prohibited between the posted line approximately 150 yards upstream from the mouth of the North Fork Clearwater River and the Ahsahka Highway 7 Bridge
- Fishing from the shoreline or wading along the perimeter of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery is prohibited
- Barbless hooks required
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release, no bait allowed except maggots
- trout limit is 2, no Cutthroat Trout under 14 inches, no bait allowed
- Cutthroat Trout limit is 0, catch and release only
- Single-pointed barbless hooks are required while fishing for steelhead and salmon
- Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
- Clearwater Region general rules apply
- Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Tiger Trout, no Tiger Trout under 14 inches
- Bass limit is 2, none under 16 inches
- Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Cutthroat Trout, no Cutthroat Trout under 14 inches
- Trout limit is 6, Brook Trout must be counted in trout limit
- Trout limit is 6, Brook Trout must be counted in trout limit
- Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
- Barbless hooks required
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release, no bait allowed except maggots
- trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches, no bait allowed
- Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
- Electric motors only
- Bass limit is 2, none under 16 inches
- Electric motors only
- Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- Trout limit is 2
- Barbless hooks required
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release, no bait allowed except maggots
- trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches, no bait allowed
- Closed to fishing
- Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
- Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- Electric motors only
- Bass limit is 2, none under 16 inches
- Electric motors only
For more information please see https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/fish (see Pages 15-16 for details)
Special Rule Waters for the Clearwater Region
Section: From the mouth upstream to the Clearwater River Bridge at Orofino- Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- Fishing between posted boundaries 100 yards upstream and downstream from the Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery Ladder (near Cherry Lane Bridge) and extending into the river channel 50 yards is prohibited
- Fishing from the shoreline or wading along the perimeter of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery is prohibited
- Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- No motors allowed
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches
- No motors allowed
- Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- When fishing from Ahsahka Highway 7 Bridge, it is illegal to take or attempt to take any fish downstream of the railroad bridge; fishing from the railroad bridge is prohibited
- Fishing from any watercraft or wading is prohibited between the posted line approximately 150 yards upstream from the mouth of the North Fork Clearwater River and the Ahsahka Highway 7 Bridge
- Fishing from the shoreline or wading along the perimeter of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery is prohibited
- Barbless hooks required
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release, no bait allowed except maggots
- trout limit is 2, no Cutthroat Trout under 14 inches, no bait allowed
- Cutthroat Trout limit is 0, catch and release only
- Single-pointed barbless hooks are required while fishing for steelhead and salmon
- Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
- Clearwater Region general rules apply
- Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Tiger Trout, no Tiger Trout under 14 inches
- Bass limit is 2, none under 16 inches
- Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Cutthroat Trout, no Cutthroat Trout under 14 inches
- Trout limit is 6, Brook Trout must be counted in trout limit
- Trout limit is 6, Brook Trout must be counted in trout limit
- Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
- Barbless hooks required
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release, no bait allowed except maggots
- trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches, no bait allowed
- Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
- Electric motors only
- Bass limit is 2, none under 16 inches
- Electric motors only
- Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- Trout limit is 2
- Barbless hooks required
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release, no bait allowed except maggots
- trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches, no bait allowed
- Closed to fishing
- Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
- Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- Electric motors only
- Bass limit is 2, none under 16 inches
- Electric motors only
For more information please see https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/fish (see Pages 15-16 for details)
Coho salmon
The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.
ID Chumming
The use of any substance not attached to a hook that is intended to attract fish. It is illegal to chum while fishing in Idaho.
ID Illegal Methods
It is illegal to use chemicals, poisons, electric current, or explosives for fishing.
ID Shooting and Molesting Fish
It is illegal to molest any fish by shooting at it with a firearm or pellet gun, striking at it with a club, hands, rocks, or other objects, building obstructions for catching fish, or chasing fish up or downstream in any manner.
ID Salmon and Steelhead limits
Any angler, who has attained the bag, possession, or season limit on those waters with salmon or steelhead limits, must cease fishing for salmon or steelhead including catch-and- release fishing.
ID Weir or Fish Trip
Fishing is not allowed within the posted upstream and downstream boundary of any fish weir or trap.
ID Salmon and Steelhead South Fork Clearwater
Only single-pointed barbless hooks are allowed when fishing for salmon or steelhead in the South Fork Clearwater River.
ID Salmon and Steelhead Salmon Clearwater Snake Hells Canyon
Only barbless hooks with a maximum 5/8 inch gap between shank and point may be used when fishing for salmon or steelhead in the Salmon and Clearwater river drainages and the Snake River below Hells Canyon Dam. Bending the barb(s) down to the shank of a single, double, or treble hook will meet this requirement.
ID Salmon and Steelhead Boise Snake Hells Canyon Oxbow
Salmon and steelhead may be taken with barbed hooks in the Boise River and the Snake River between Hells Canyon and Oxbow dams.
ID Salmon and Steelhead tail and head removal
No person shall have in the field or in transit any salmon or steelhead from which the head or tail has been removed unless: 1) the angler is ashore and done fishing for the day; 2) the salmon or steelhead is properly recorded on the anglers permit; and 3) the fish is processed or packaged with the skin naturally attached to the flesh including a portion with a healed, clipped adipose fin scar or the adipose fin. The fish must be processed or packaged in a manner that the number of fish harvested can be readily determined. Processed salmon and steelhead cannot be transported by boat.
ID Clipped and Unclipped Adipose Fins
Steelhead with an unclipped adipose fin must be released. Fall Chinook Salmon and Coho Salmon with an unclipped adipose fish can be kept. Spring and summer Chinook Salmon seasons are set annually and anglers should refer to season proclamations to determine if spring and summer Chinook Salmon with an unclipped adipose fin can be retained. Clipped Adipose Fin: Hatchery steelhead or salmon may be kept if the adipose fin has been clipped as evidenced by a healed scar.
ID Archery and Spear Fishing
Archery and Spear Fishing: Fishing with a bow and arrow, crossbow, spear or mechanical device, excluding firearms. This type of fishing is permitted only in the taking of bullfrogs and unprotected nongame fish and only in those waters during the season set for the taking of game fish.
ID Bait Restriction
Use of live fish, leeches, frogs, salamanders, waterdogs or shrimp as bait is prohibited in Idaho, except that live crayfish may be used if caught on the body of water being fished.
ID Number of Lines and hooks
It is unlawful to fish in any waters of Idaho with more than one (1) handline or pole with a line attached, except a person with a two (2) pole permit may use two (2) poles; or with more than five (5) lines while ice fishing; or by archery, spearfishing, snagging, hands, and netting except as permitted. Not more than five (5) hooks may be attached per line. The line or lines must be attended by the person fishing.
ID Gaff Hook
It is illegal to land fish of any species with a gaff hook except through a hole cut or broken in the ice in waters which have no length restrictions or harvest closures for that species or when landing non-game fish taken with archery equipment.
ID Fishing by Hand
The only fish you can legally catch and harvest using your hands are crayfish and bullfrogs. You must use fishing gear to harvest all other fish species.
ID Snagging
Game fish cannot be harvested unless hooked in the mouth or jaw. Snag fishing is illegal except where allowed by special rule. Snagging of unprotected nongame fish species is permitted.
ID Snake River state boundary between ID OR WA
Snake River between Idaho and Oregon or Washington:The holder of a valid Idaho fishing license may fish the Snake River where it forms the boundary between the states of Idaho and Oregon or Washington, subject to the fish and game laws of Idaho but may not fish from the shore including wading, and may not fish in sloughs or tributaries on the Oregon or Washington side. An Oregon or Washington license holder has the same rights and restrictions with reference to the Idaho side.Any angler who fishes on the Snake River or any other water forming an Idaho boundary is entitled to have in possession only the limit allowed by one license regardless of the number of licenses in possession.
ID Attendance of Fishing Gear
Attendance of Fishing Gear: You must attend to your fishing gear while fishing. This means being able to watch your rod at all times and be able to react to a potential strike.
Coho Salmon Seasons and Limits
For additional information on the fall season please see https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish p. 45
Spring and summer Chinook Seasons and Bag Limits are based on fish numbers and timing. Due to the different times Chinook salmon enter Idaho, fishing opportunities can often be found from May through October. Please see https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/chinook/rules/spring for current information.
Clearwater River: Mouth to confluence of South Fork and Middle Fork Clearwater Rivers
Daily limit is 2 adult Coho Salmon (greater than or equal to 20 inches in length), no limit on jacks (less than 20 inches in length). Adipose clipped or unclipped fish may be kept. Possession limit is 3 times daily bag limit.
Season Sep 1 - Dec 31
North Fork Clearwater River: Mouth to Dworshak Dam
Daily limit is 2 adult Coho Salmon (greater than or equal to 20 inches in length), no limit on jacks (less than 20 inches in length). Adipose clipped or unclipped fish may be kept. Possession limit is 3 times daily bag limit.
Season Sep 1 - Dec 31
Middle Fork Clearwater River: Mouth to Clear Creek
Daily limit is 2 adult Coho Salmon (greater than or equal to 20 inches in length), no limit on jacks (less than 20 inches in length). Adipose clipped or unclipped fish may be kept. Possession limit is 3 times daily bag limit.
Season Sep 1 - Dec 31
South Fork Clearwater River: Mouth to Red River
Daily limit is 2 adult Coho Salmon (greater than or equal to 20 inches in length), no limit on jacks (less than 20 inches in length). Adipose clipped or unclipped fish may be kept. Possession limit is 3 times daily bag limit.
Season Sep 1 - Dec 31
Snake River: ID/WA border to Hells Canyon Dam
Daily limit is 2 adult Coho Salmon (greater than or equal to 20 inches in length), no limit on jacks (less than 20 inches in length). Adipose clipped or unclipped fish may be kept. Possession limit is 3 times daily bag limit.
Season Sep 1 - Dec 31
Special Rule Waters for the Clearwater Region
Section: From the mouth upstream to the Clearwater River Bridge at Orofino- Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- Fishing between posted boundaries 100 yards upstream and downstream from the Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery Ladder (near Cherry Lane Bridge) and extending into the river channel 50 yards is prohibited
- Fishing from the shoreline or wading along the perimeter of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery is prohibited
- Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- No motors allowed
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches
- No motors allowed
- Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- When fishing from Ahsahka Highway 7 Bridge, it is illegal to take or attempt to take any fish downstream of the railroad bridge; fishing from the railroad bridge is prohibited
- Fishing from any watercraft or wading is prohibited between the posted line approximately 150 yards upstream from the mouth of the North Fork Clearwater River and the Ahsahka Highway 7 Bridge
- Fishing from the shoreline or wading along the perimeter of Dworshak National Fish Hatchery is prohibited
- Barbless hooks required
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release, no bait allowed except maggots
- trout limit is 2, no Cutthroat Trout under 14 inches, no bait allowed
- Cutthroat Trout limit is 0, catch and release only
- Single-pointed barbless hooks are required while fishing for steelhead and salmon
- Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
- Clearwater Region general rules apply
- Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Tiger Trout, no Tiger Trout under 14 inches
- Bass limit is 2, none under 16 inches
- Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Cutthroat Trout, no Cutthroat Trout under 14 inches
- Trout limit is 6, Brook Trout must be counted in trout limit
- Trout limit is 6, Brook Trout must be counted in trout limit
- Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
- Barbless hooks required
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release, no bait allowed except maggots
- trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches, no bait allowed
- Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
- Electric motors only
- Bass limit is 2, none under 16 inches
- Electric motors only
- Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- Trout limit is 2
- Barbless hooks required
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release, no bait allowed except maggots
- trout limit is 2, none under 14 inches, no bait allowed
- Closed to fishing
- Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
- Trout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept; no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- Electric motors only
- Bass limit is 2, none under 16 inches
- Electric motors only
For more information please see https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/fish (see Pages 15-16 for details)
FAQ about Hells Gate State Park fishing
- Smallmouth bass - 28 members reported to have caught this fish
- Coho salmon - 2 members reported to have caught this fish
- Green sunfish - 2 members reported to have caught this fish
- @drewturtle reported a nice Smallmouth bass.
- @keepingItReel-Fishing reported a nice Smallmouth bass.
- @ryanlaplante reported a nice Smallmouth bass.
- @ryanlaplante reported a nice Smallmouth bass.
- @ryanlaplante reported a nice Smallmouth bass.
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