Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Idaho (Complete Guide)

Idaho offers some of the best fly fishing in the world. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish in Idaho can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in Idaho are early morning and late evening. Summer and fall are the best months for most species in Idaho.

Month	Idaho Fishing Location
January	The Henry’s Fork River in Island Park for winter stoneflies and midge hatches.
February	The South Fork of the Boise River for midge and baetis hatches and the chance to catch some early season rainbows.
March	The South Fork of the Boise River for midge and baetis hatches, as well as the chance to catch some early season rainbows.
April	The Big Lost River for the famous Baetis hatch and the chance to catch some big rainbow and brown trout.
May	The Clearwater River in Orofino for the spring chinook salmon run and steelhead fishing.
June	The Big Wood River near Ketchum for the green drake hatch and dry fly fishing for rainbows and browns.
July	The St. Joe River near St. Maries for the giant stonefly hatch and the chance to catch some big cutthroat and rainbow trout.
August	The Teton River near Driggs for hoppers and attractor patterns, as well as the chance to catch some big cutthroat and brown trout.
September	The South Fork of the Snake River for the fall hoppers and attractor patterns, as well as the chance to catch some big brown and rainbow trout.
October	The Owyhee River in eastern Oregon (but close to Idaho) for blue winged olive hatches and the chance to catch some big brown trout.
November	The Snake River in Hells Canyon for steelhead fishing and the chance to catch some big rainbows and bull trout.
December	The South Fork of the Snake River for midge and baetis hatches and the chance to catch some big brown and rainbow trout.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Idaho. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Sections of Creeks/Rivers to Fly Fish in Idaho

South Fork of the Snake River: May to October – Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout

Henry’s Fork of the Snake River: July to September – Rainbow and Brown Trout

Silver Creek: June to October – Brown and Rainbow Trout

Kelly Creek: June to October – Cutthroat Trout

Teton River: July to October – Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout

Big Wood River: June to October – Rainbow and Brown Trout

Clearwater River: September to November – Steelhead Trout

Salmon River: July to September – Chinook and Coho Salmon

Selway River: June to October – Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout

St. Joe River: June to October – Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout

Coeur d’Alene River: June to October – Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout

Payette River: June to October – Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout

Owyhee River: March to May – Brown and Rainbow Trout

Big Lost River: June to October – Rainbow and Brown Trout

Boise River: June to October – Rainbow and Brown Trout

Warm River: May to September – Cutthroat Trout

Little Wood River: June to October – Rainbow Trout

Silver Fork of the Boise River: July to September – Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout

Bear River: June to October – Cutthroat Trout

Snake River Canyon: July to September – Rainbow Trout

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Chinook (King) Salmon

The best time to fly fish for chinook salmon in Idaho is typically in the summer and fall months, from June to October. The best time of day to fish is usually early morning or late afternoon, and some of the best locations include the Clearwater River, Salmon River, and Snake River.

Sockeye Salmon

The best time to fly fish for sockeye salmon in Idaho is during their migration from the ocean to Redfish Lake in July and August. The best time of day to fish for sockeye salmon is early in the morning or late in the evening.

The best locations to fish for sockeye salmon in Idaho are in the Salmon River and its tributaries, including the Pahsimeroi River and the Yankee Fork.

Cutthroat Trout

If you’re looking to fly fish for cutthroat trout in Idaho, the best times are usually in July, August, and September. Early mornings and late evenings are the best times of day to fish for them.

Some of the best locations in Idaho for cutthroat trout include the South Fork of the Snake River, the Henry’s Fork, and the Lochsa River.

Brown Trout

If you’re looking to fly fish for brown trout in Idaho, the best time to do it is during the fall months, from September to November. The best time of day to fish for brown trout is usually in the morning or evening.

Some of the best locations for fly fishing for brown trout in Idaho include the Henry’s Fork, the South Fork of the Snake River, Silver Creek, and the Big Wood River.

Rainbow Trout

The best time to fly fish for rainbow trout in Idaho is spring and fall when the water is cooler. The best time of day to fish is in the morning and late afternoon.

Some of the best locations to fly fish for rainbow trout in Idaho include Silver Creek, the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, the South Fork of the Boise River, and the Big Lost River.

Brook Trout

If you want to catch brook trout in Idaho, the best time is during the late spring and early summer months. The best time of day to fish for brook trout is in the early morning and late evening hours.

Some of the best locations in Idaho to catch brook trout include the Big Lost River, Kelly Creek, the Snake River, and Silver Creek.

Northern Pike

Northern Pike are predatory fish that can be found in various water bodies in Idaho. The best time to fish for Northern Pike is in the early morning or late afternoon, during the summer months from May to September.

You can find Northern Pike in lakes and reservoirs such as Coeur d’Alene Lake, Hayden Lake, and Dworshak Reservoir, and rivers like the Snake River and the Clearwater River.

Whitefish

Whitefish can be caught year-round in Idaho, but the best time to fish for them is in the fall and winter months when they are most active. The best time of day to fish for whitefish is early in the morning or late in the evening when they are more likely to feed.

Some of the best locations in Idaho for fishing whitefish include the Snake River, Henrys Fork of the Snake River, and the St. Joe River. Ice fishing can also be productive for catching whitefish in Idaho during winter.

Artic Grayling

Arctic Grayling are a popular game fish in Idaho and can be found in several locations across the state. The best time to fish for Grayling is during the summer months from June to September, especially in the early morning or late evening.

The rivers and streams in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, including the Salmon River, are some of the best places to fish for Grayling in Idaho. Other good locations include the Big Lost River and Henry’s Fork River.

Crappie

Crappie fishing in Idaho is best during the spring months of April, May, and June. The best time of day to fish for crappie is usually early morning or late afternoon when the water is cooler. Some of the best locations for crappie fishing in Idaho include the Cascade Reservoir, Brownlee Reservoir, and Dworshak Reservoir.

Walleye

Walleye can be caught year-round in Idaho, but the best time to target them is spring and fall. The most productive months are late April to early May and September to November. They are usually caught during low light hours, such as early morning or late evening.

The best locations to catch walleye in Idaho are Lake Pend Oreille, Dworshak Reservoir, and Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir. Look for structure such as drop-offs, weed beds, and submerged trees as these areas tend to hold more walleye.

Catfish

If you’re looking to fish for catfish in Idaho, the best time to do so is during the warmer months of the year, from May through September. The best time of day to catch catfish is usually at night or in the early morning hours. Some of the best locations in Idaho to fish for catfish include the Snake River, Lake Lowell, and Brownlee Reservoir.

Bass (Largemouth & Smallmouth)

Smallmouth and largemouth bass can be found in Idaho’s lakes and rivers. The best time to fish for them is during the summer months of June through September when the water is warm.

Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to catch them, and they tend to be more active when the weather is warm and sunny. Some of the best locations to fish for bass in Idaho include Payette Lake, Cascade Reservoir, Brownlee Reservoir, and the Snake River.

Sturgeon

Sturgeon fishing is typically best during the warmer months, with the best fishing occurring in late spring and early summer. These fish are often most active during the daytime, so anglers should plan to fish during the daylight hours for the best results.

The Snake River in Hells Canyon and the lower Clearwater River are two of the best locations in Idaho for fishing sturgeon. Anglers should keep in mind that sturgeon fishing in Idaho is strictly catch-and-release.

Yellow Perch

Yellow perch is one of the most popular sport fish in Idaho, and it can be found in many of the state’s lakes and rivers. The best time to fish for yellow perch is typically in the spring and fall, as they tend to move into shallower water during these seasons.

Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish for yellow perch, as they are most active. Some of Idaho’s best locations for yellow perch fishing include Lake Cascade, Lake Pend Oreille, and Payette Lake.

Lake Trout

Lake trout can be caught in Idaho throughout the year, but spring and fall are the best times to fish for them. The best months for fishing lake trout are typically April through June and September through November.

Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to catch them. Some of the best locations to fish for lake trout in Idaho include Priest Lake, Lake Pend Oreille, and Redfish Lake.

Kokanee Salmon

Kokanee salmon fishing in Idaho is best during the summer months of June through August, with peak fishing in July. Early morning or late evening is usually the best time to fish for kokanee, as they tend to feed closer to the surface during these times. Some of the best locations to fish for kokanee in Idaho include Lake Pend Oreille, Priest Lake, and Dworshak Reservoir.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Wyoming, check out this guide. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Montana. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Colorado. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Ohio. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Pennsylvania.

Best Fishing in Idaho on Seasonal Basis

Winter

Henrys Fork: Fish for brown and rainbow trout near Warm River, stocked with hatchery-raised fish throughout the winter months.
Clearwater River: The Clearwater River is home to steelhead trout migrating upstream from the Pacific Ocean during winter. The river’s North Fork is especially popular among anglers.
Snake River: Near Twin Falls, the Snake River offers a variety of fish species, including rainbow trout, brown trout, and walleye. Look for areas with slower-moving water, as fish tend to be less active in colder temperatures.

Spring

Henry’s Fork River – Known for its large rainbow and brown trout, Henry’s Fork River is a great location to fish in the spring. Best time to fish is in April and May.
Clearwater River – Clearwater River is home to some of the biggest steelhead in the world, making it a popular destination for anglers. Best time to fish is in March and April.
Snake River – Snake River is another great location to fish for rainbow and brown trout in the spring. Best time to fish is in April and May.

Summer

Silver Creek: Known for its excellent dry fly fishing, it is a great place to catch rainbow and brown trout during summer.
Henry’s Fork: With its diverse range of hatches and fish species, Henry’s Fork is a top destination for fly fishing in Idaho during the summer. Expect to catch rainbow and brown trout, whitefish, and cutthroat trout.
South Fork of the Snake River: One of the most productive rivers in Idaho during the summer, the South Fork of the Snake River is home to rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout.

Fall

Henry’s Fork: Fish for big rainbow and brown trout in September and October using nymphs, streamers, and dry flies.
Snake River: Catch smallmouth bass and channel catfish in the Snake River in October using crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and jigs.
Salmon River: In October and November, the Salmon River is a great place to catch steelhead using spey rods and swinging flies.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Nebraska, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Yellowstone, check out this guide.