FISHING

The SNRA contains the headwaters of four of Idaho’s major rivers, Salmon, Boise, Payette and Big Wood.

With over 500 mountain lakes and hundreds of miles of cold streams, the SNRA offers some of the most spectacular fishing in Idaho. You’ll find cutthroat, rainbow, brook and bull trout, grayling, whitefish and steelhead.

EARLY SEASON

Some of the best early-season fishing is in the Salmon River drainage, with steelhead trout reaching Stanley around April 1st. These anadromous (ocean-going) fish arrive here after traveling 900 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Most steelhead weigh six to eight pounds.

The Big Wood offers good fishing after the spring run-off. Five miles of the river south of the SNRA are designated as “catch and release” waters. Rainbow trout are planted every summer there by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Two species of anadromous salmon travel 900 miles from the Pacific Ocean each year to the upper Salmon River. Sockeye salmon, which spawn in Redfish Lake, are the only remaining sockeye population in Idaho.

Spring and summer Chinook salmon spawn in the Salmon River and its major tributaries.

WINTER FISHING

Ice fishing is open on Stanley, Yellow Belly, Jimmy Smith and Herd Lakes, as well as on the Main Salmon River.

LICENSES AND REGULATIONS:

A valid Idaho Fishing License is required within the SNRA. Forest Service offices do not sell state fishing licenses, but do have the IDFG Rules and Regulations Handbook and other information.

Check the regulations carefully each season – there are many summer-spawning stream closures. Pick up your free copy of the IDFG’s latest edition of “General Fishing Seasons and Rules” handbook.

Many lakes on the valley floor are open year round for fishing. Please check the IDFG regulations handbook.

DID YOU KNOW?

That Chinook and sockeye salmon and bull trout are endangered and protected by Federal law and cannot be taken?

Also, fishing for Kokanee (land-locked) salmon is allowed on Stanley Lake but cannot be taken from Redfish Lake and Fishhook Creek.

ALL fishing is prohibited in Fishhook Creek to protect this critical salmon spawning area.

 



 
 

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