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- Trout fishing in Idaho
Types of Trout in Idaho
Trout fishing spots in Idaho
Best baits and lures for Trout in Idaho
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Latest Trout fishing reports in Idaho
Rainbow trout
Henry's Fork (Aston Reservoir - Snake River)
22 in · 3 lb
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Regulations for Trout 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 Rainbow trout as of August 5th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.
Rainbow trout
Seasons
Open
Bag limit
6
Aggregate
6
Restrictions & requirements
Location regulation notes
Daily bag limits apply to all waters of the Salmon Region except as modified in Salmon Region Special Rule Waters. The possession limit is 3-times the daily bag limit.All waters open all year except as modified in Salmon Region Special Rule WatersFor more information please see https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/fish p. 40Special Rule Waters for the Salmon Region East Fork Salmon River (see Salmon River, East Fork) Herd LakeTrout limit is 25Jimmy Smith LakeTrout limit is 25Lake Creek and tributaries (above Williams Lake)December 1 through June 30closed to fishing upstream from the posted boundary at Williams LakeJuly 1 through November 30Salmon Region general rules applyLemhi RiverDecember 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekendtrout limit is 0, catch-and-releaseSaturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat TroutLemhi River tributariesSalmon Region general rules applyMiddle Fork Salmon River (see Salmon River, Middle Fork and tributaries)North Fork Salmon River (see Salmon River, North Fork)Pahsimeroi RiverDecember 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekendtrout limit is 0, catch-and-releaseSaturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat TroutPahsimeroi River tributariesSalmon Region general rules applyRedfish LakeJanuary 1 through August 7Salmon Region general rules applyAugust 8 through December 31kokanee limit is 0, catch-and-releaseSalmon RiverTrout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept, no harvest of Cutthroat TroutSalmon River tributariesSection: Those tributaries from the mouth of the Salmon River upstream to the Middle Fork Salmon River, except Little Salmon River (Page 20) and South Fork Salmon River (Page 21).Trout limit is 2Section: Those tributaries from the mouth of the Middle Fork Salmon River upstream (except: North Fork Salmon River, Lemhi, Pahsimeroi, East Fork Salmon River, and Yankee Fork Salmon River)December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekendtrout limit is 0, catch-and-releaseSaturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30Salmon Region general rules applySalmon River, East ForkDecember 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekendtrout limit is 0, catch-and-releaseSaturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat TroutSalmon River, East Fork tributariesSalmon Region general rules applySalmon River, Middle Fork and all tributaries (includes: Bear Valley, Big, Camas, Elk, Loon, Marsh, Sulphur creeks, and tributaries)Trout limit is 0, catch-and-releaseNo bait allowed, barbless hooks requiredSalmon River, North ForkDecember 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekendtrout limit is 0, catch-and-releaseSaturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat TroutSalmon River, North Fork tributariesSalmon Region general rules applySalmon River, Yankee Fork and West Fork Yankee ForkDecember 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekendtrout limit is 0, catch-and-release Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout Salmon River, Yankee Fork tributariesSalmon Region general rules applyStanley LakeTrout limit is 6, only 2 may be Lake TroutWallace LakeTrout limit is 2Yankee Fork Salmon River Dredge PondsDecember 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekendclosed to fishingSaturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30Salmon Region general rules applyYankee Fork Salmon River (see Salmon River, Yankee Fork)
Additional information
Trout includes Lake Trout, Golden Trout, Arctic Grayling, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Sunapee Trout and trout hybrids (e.g. Tiger Trout)• Trout limit is 6, all species combined• Chinook Salmon and steelhead placed in ponds are counted in the trout bag limitDoes not include Bull Trout and Brook Trout which are listed separatelyFor more information please see https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/fish
Edibility
Excellent
Synonyms
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Location specific information
Daily bag limits apply to all waters of the Salmon Region except as modified in Salmon Region Special Rule Waters. The possession limit is 3-times the daily bag limit.All waters open all year except as modified in Salmon Region Special Rule WatersFor more information please see https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/fish p. 40Special Rule Waters for the Salmon Region East Fork Salmon River (see Salmon River, East Fork) Herd LakeTrout limit is 25Jimmy Smith LakeTrout limit is 25Lake Creek and tributaries (above Williams Lake)December 1 through June 30closed to fishing upstream from the posted boundary at Williams LakeJuly 1 through November 30Salmon Region general rules applyLemhi RiverDecember 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekendtrout limit is 0, catch-and-releaseSaturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat TroutLemhi River tributariesSalmon Region general rules applyMiddle Fork Salmon River (see Salmon River, Middle Fork and tributaries)North Fork Salmon River (see Salmon River, North Fork)Pahsimeroi RiverDecember 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekendtrout limit is 0, catch-and-releaseSaturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat TroutPahsimeroi River tributariesSalmon Region general rules applyRedfish LakeJanuary 1 through August 7Salmon Region general rules applyAugust 8 through December 31kokanee limit is 0, catch-and-releaseSalmon RiverTrout limit is 6; only trout with a clipped adipose fin, as evidenced by a healed scar, may be kept, no harvest of Cutthroat TroutSalmon River tributariesSection: Those tributaries from the mouth of the Salmon River upstream to the Middle Fork Salmon River, except Little Salmon River (Page 20) and South Fork Salmon River (Page 21).Trout limit is 2Section: Those tributaries from the mouth of the Middle Fork Salmon River upstream (except: North Fork Salmon River, Lemhi, Pahsimeroi, East Fork Salmon River, and Yankee Fork Salmon River)December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekendtrout limit is 0, catch-and-releaseSaturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30Salmon Region general rules applySalmon River, East ForkDecember 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekendtrout limit is 0, catch-and-releaseSaturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat TroutSalmon River, East Fork tributariesSalmon Region general rules applySalmon River, Middle Fork and all tributaries (includes: Bear Valley, Big, Camas, Elk, Loon, Marsh, Sulphur creeks, and tributaries)Trout limit is 0, catch-and-releaseNo bait allowed, barbless hooks requiredSalmon River, North ForkDecember 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekendtrout limit is 0, catch-and-releaseSaturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat TroutSalmon River, North Fork tributariesSalmon Region general rules applySalmon River, Yankee Fork and West Fork Yankee ForkDecember 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekendtrout limit is 0, catch-and-release Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30trout limit is 6, no harvest of Cutthroat Trout Salmon River, Yankee Fork tributariesSalmon Region general rules applyStanley LakeTrout limit is 6, only 2 may be Lake TroutWallace LakeTrout limit is 2Yankee Fork Salmon River Dredge PondsDecember 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekendclosed to fishingSaturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30Salmon Region general rules applyYankee Fork Salmon River (see Salmon River, Yankee Fork)
Regulations for
45°29′40.9″N 114°08′35.2″W
/-114.143111,45.49469899906395,10,0.00,0.00/600x250?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiZmlzaGJyYWluLWRldiIsImEiOiJjbDl6ZDU2amEwZXFtM29rNmI5cTV5ZGZ3In0.PEsOW8Rbc7G-mIBHpNXeGQ&logo=false&attribution=false)
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FAQ
🎣 What Trout species can you catch in Idaho?
Anglers in Idaho commonly catch several Trout species, including Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Brook trout, Lake char, and Cutthroat trout, according to reports from Fishbrain members.
These species can be found in many rivers and streams, lakes throughout the area. If you are targeting a specific species, you can use the to filter catches by species and see where anglers are catching them and which baits they are using.
These species can be found in many rivers and streams, lakes throughout the area. If you are targeting a specific species, you can use the to filter catches by species and see where anglers are catching them and which baits they are using.
📍 Where are the best places to catch Trout in Idaho?
Trout are caught in rivers and streams, lakes throughout Idaho. Popular fishing waters reported by Fishbrain members include Spokane River, Lake Lowell, and Snake River (WA / ID).
The allows anglers to see exact catch locations shared by other members, helping you discover productive fishing spots where Trout have recently been caught.
The allows anglers to see exact catch locations shared by other members, helping you discover productive fishing spots where Trout have recently been caught.