What kind of fish are in the Salmon River Idaho?

Asked by: Erica Williams

The main stem of the Salmon River provides habitat for a variety of fish species. These include cutthroat trout, bull trout, rainbow trout, mountain white fish, sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon (spring/summer/fall run), steelhead, smallmouth bass, squawfish, sucker and sturgeon.

What fish can you catch in the Salmon River?

Fish Species:



Chinook salmon, coho salmon, Atlantic salmon (or landlocked salmon), steelhead (rainbow trout), brown trout, smallmouth bass, rock bass, fall fish, shorthead redhorse and white sucker.

Where is best fishing on Salmon River in Idaho?

3 of the Top Guides for Salmon River Fishing in Idaho

• Sawtooth Adventure Company’s Salmon River Anglers. Salmon River Anglers offers some of the best fishing along the Salmon River in Idaho. …
• Silver Creek Outfitters. …
• White Cloud Rafting Adventures.

Is the Salmon River in Idaho good fishing?

During your time fishing the Salmon River in Idaho, you’ll have the opportunity to catch a variety of fish. Steelhead are one of the most popular species to look out for; visitors come to Idaho from all over the country during their mating season. Other common species are Chinook salmon and bull and cutthroat trout.

What kind of salmon are in the Salmon River?

The Salmon River is stocked yearly with around 300,000 Chinook salmon, 80,000 Coho salmon, 120,000 Washington strain steelhead, 40,000 Skamania strain steelhead and 30,000 Atlantic salmon.

How do you fish in the Salmon River?

And block the hook. From hooking the fish when they bite the fireball. So now this is on there until you get one now obviously it's a rubber bait on a small hook.

How deep is the Salmon River in Idaho?

1 mile

Salmon River Canyon, a gorge 30 miles (48 km) long, 1 mile (1.6 km) deep, and in places 10 miles (16 km) wide, is formed by the river in its lower course. The Salmon River flowing through Boise National Forest, Idaho.

Can you catch salmon in salmon Idaho?

Fishing in Salmon, ID



“Idaho is the only inland western state with ocean-run salmon and steelhead, and when conditions are right, the hatchery part of these runs provide an exciting fishing experience. State records are 54 pounds for salmon and 30 pounds, 2 ounces for steelhead” (IDFG).

What is the best tasting salmon?

Chinook Salmon/King Salmon



Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha), also known as King salmon, is considered by many to be the best-tasting of the salmon bunch. They have a high-fat content and corresponding rich flesh that ranges from white to a deep red color.

Where do you catch salmon in Idaho?

In the middle of the state are the Dworshak Reservoir, and the magnificent Salmon River. And then in the southern part of Idaho is the amazing Snake River, Idaho Falls, and Bear Lake. Scattered throughout Idaho are many smaller rivers, lakes, and streams to satisfy almost any water lover’s need.

Is there salmon in Salmon River?

Chinook Salmon



This species is present in the mainstem of the Salmon River and in several of the larger tributaries to the Salmon River. Adult chinook salmon migrate from the Pacific Ocean to spawning areas on and adjacent to the Salmon-Challis National Forest.

When can you fish the Salmon River in Idaho?

In early spring, mid to late March, the river fills with steelhead as they complete their migration all the way from the Pacific Ocean to Idaho. In the summer season cutthroat trout, bull trout and rainbow trout inhabit the river. This is also a unique opportunity for area anglers to fish from drift boats.

How many salmon can you keep in Idaho?

Daily Bag Limit: four (4) salmon per day, only one (1) may be an adult. Anglers must cease daily fishing for all Chinook Salmon (including jacks) once they have retained one (1) adult or otherwise meet their Daily Bag Limit, whichever comes first.

Is night fishing legal in Idaho?

It is illegal to fish at night.



There is no such rule in Idaho, though there are a few exceptions. Many public parks close at dusk, so ponds there would be off-limits. Salmon and steelhead fishing is limited to daylight hours. Other than that, night fishing is perfectly above-board, and it can be a lot of fun!

Can Tiger Muskies stay in Idaho?

Muskie fisheries are few and far between in Idaho. From the Magic Valley, the closest one is Dog Creek Reservoir near Gooding. Lake Cascade and Little Payette Lake north of Boise are also good destinations to put on your list — just be prepared to put in some time, and lots of casts, in order to tame a tiger.

Where can you find chinook salmon in Idaho?

Spring Chinook Seasons

• Snake River.
• Clearwater River.
• Salmon River.
• Little Salmon River.

How do you tell the difference between a coho and a chinook salmon?

Chinook are larger and deeper bodied than coho and steelhead. They have a dark mouth with black or dark colored gums. They often have “peanut” shaped spots that are larger than spots on coho and steelhead, mature fish are usually brownish green, although males can be pure (body and head) red during spawning window.

Are there sockeye salmon in Idaho?

Sockeye travel the furthest of all Idaho salmon, swimming more than 900 miles and climbing more than 6,500 feet in elevation to their home waters in the Sawtooth Valley. The landlocked version of the sockeye are one of Idaho’s most popular fisheries. Kokanee, or blueback, are found in many lakes and reservoirs.

Where is the best fishing in Idaho?

10 Best Fishing Spots in Idaho

• CJ Striker Reservoir. This 6,759-acre body of water sits in the southwest corner of the state just south of Boise. …
• Lake Lowell. …
• Brownlee Reservoir. …
• Lake Cascade. …
• Oakley Reservoir. …
• Swan Falls Dam. …
• Snake River. …
• Little Salmon River.

What happens if you get caught fishing without a license in Idaho?

Under Idaho Code 36-1402, if you plead guilty or are convicted of fishing without a license, you can face a fine of up to $1,000 plus court costs, serve up to 6 months in jail, and/or have your fishing license rights revoked for up to 3 years. The court can impose one of these punishments or a combination of them.

Is cut bait legal in Idaho?

A. Answer: It is not legal to use any live fish as bait, except that live crayfish and bull frogs may be used if caught on the body of water being fished. But game fish reduced to possession may be used as fishing bait, either whole or cut up.

Is Idaho famous for trout?

The same can be said of the nearby Henrys Fork, world-renowned for its challenging dry fly wade fishing for big rainbow trout. Located in the heart of the Northern Rockies, Idaho is chock full of high-quality trout streams, hundreds of miles of them.

Where is the best trout fishing in Idaho?

Here is an introduction to the 3 best fly fishing rivers in Idaho:

• The Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
• The Henry’s Fork of the Snake River.
• The South Fork of the Boise River.