- United States/
- Salmon fishing in the United States/
- Idaho/
- Salmon fishing in Idaho
Types of Salmon in Idaho
Salmon fishing spots in Idaho
Best baits and lures for Salmon in Idaho
According to catch data from over 20 million anglers on Fishbrain, these are the best baits used to catch Salmon.
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Biggest Salmon catches
Latest Salmon fishing reports in Idaho
Log your catch and check out other catches from the community in the Fishbrain app.
Regulations for Salmon in Idaho
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.
Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Chinook salmon as of April 4th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.
Seasons
Bag limit
Fall Chinook 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 Memorial Bridge
Daily limit is 3 adult fall Chinook Salmon (greater than or equal to 24 inches in length), no limit on jacks (less than 24 inches in length). Adipose clipped or unclipped fish may be kept. Possession limit is 3 times daily bag limit.Â
Season Closed Aug 1 - Aug 17
Season Open Aug 18 - Oct 31
Clearwater River: Memorial Bridge to Orofino Bridge
Daily limit is 3 adult fall Chinook Salmon (greater than or equal to 24 inches in length), no limit on jacks (less than 24 inches in length). Adipose clipped or unclipped fish may be kept. Possession limit is 3 times daily bag limit.Â
Season Closed Aug 1 - Aug 17
Season Open Aug 18 - Oct 14
Season Closed Oct 15
Clearwater River: Orofino Bridge to South Fork Clearwater River
Daily limit is 3 adult fall Chinook Salmon (greater than or equal to 24 inches in length), no limit on jacks (less than 24 inches in length). Adipose clipped or unclipped fish may be kept. Possession limit is 3 times daily bag limit.Â
Season Closed Aug 1 - Aug 17
Season Open Aug 18 - Oct 31
North Fork Clearwater River: Mouth to Dworshak Dam
Daily limit is 3 adult fall Chinook Salmon (greater than or equal to 24 inches in length), no limit on jacks (less than 24 inches in length). Adipose clipped or unclipped fish may be kept. Possession limit is 3 times daily bag limit.Â
Season Closed Aug 1 - Aug 30
Season Open Sept 1 - Oct 31
Middle Fork Clearwater River: Mouth to Clear Creek
Daily limit is 3 adult fall Chinook Salmon (greater than or equal to 24 inches in length), no limit on jacks (less than 24 inches in length). Adipose clipped or unclipped fish may be kept. Possession limit is 3 times daily bag limit.Â
Season Closed Aug 1 - Aug 17
Season Open Aug 18 - Oct 31
South Fork Clearwater River: Mouth to Red River
Daily limit is 3 adult fall Chinook Salmon (greater than or equal to 24 inches in length), no limit on jacks (less than 24 inches in length). Adipose clipped or unclipped fish may be kept. Possession limit is 3 times daily bag limit.Â
Season Closed Aug 1 - Aug 17
Season Open Aug 18 - Oct 31
Snake River: ID/WA border to Hells Canyon Dam
Daily limit is 3 adult fall Chinook Salmon (greater than or equal to 24 inches in length), no limit on jacks (less than 24 inches in length). Adipose clipped or unclipped fish may be kept. Possession limit is 3 times daily bag limit.Â
Season Closed Aug 1 - Aug 17
Season Open Aug 18 - Oct 31
Salmon River: Mouth to Little Salmon River
Daily limit is 3 adult fall Chinook Salmon (greater than or equal to 24 inches in length), no limit on jacks (less than 24 inches in length). Adipose clipped or unclipped fish may be kept. Possession limit is 3 times daily bag limit.Â
Season Closed Aug 1 - Aug 17
Season Open Aug 18 - Oct 31
Chinook, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Special Rule Waters for the Salmon RegionÂ
East Fork Salmon River (see Salmon River, East Fork) Herd Lake- Trout limit is 25
- Trout limit is 25
- closed to fishing upstream from the posted boundary at Williams Lake
- Salmon Region general rules apply
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- Salmon Region general rules apply
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- Salmon Region general rules apply
- Salmon Region general rules apply
- kokanee limit is 0, catch-and-release
- 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
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- Salmon Region general rules apply
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- Salmon Region general rules apply
- Trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- No bait allowed, barbless hooks required
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-release
- trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout
- Salmon Region general rules apply
- trout limit is 0, catch-and-releaseÂ
- trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat TroutÂ
- Salmon Region general rules apply
- Trout limit is 6, only 2 may be Lake Trout
- Trout limit is 2
- closed to fishing
- Salmon Region general rules apply
Regulations for
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