One of the most incredible things about living in and around Idaho Falls is the spectacular surroundings. Idaho’s wilderness and backcountry are the largest in the lower 48. Residents and visitors are able to escape the daily grind with countless opportunities to fish, water ski, whitewater raft, hike, horseback ride, climb, hunt, and camp in the states majestic mountain forests and sage brush covered deserts. But, to the fly fisherman, Idaho is one of the greatest places on earth.
Idaho is home to more than 10 of the most desirable blue-ribbon trout destinations in the world. Several of them that have gained international praise are right here in eastern Idaho. You can’t pick up a book or magazine on fly fishing without finding somewhere in its pages a section written about the famed Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. Anglers are constantly surprised by the size and power of the rivers cutthroat, rainbows, brook trout, and browns. Right there basking in the glory as well is Henry’s Lake, where float tubers can pursue trout that can exceed the magical 10 lb mark. You can’t talk about premier fishing locations without also mentioning the South Fork of the Snake. It has recently emerged from the shadows of the others to be known as an extraordinary dry fly fishing wonder. This area is truly a fly fisher’s paradise.
Henry’s Fork of the Snake River
Season
- From its mouth upstream to Vernon (Fritz) Bridge - Open all year
- From Vernon (Fritz) Bridge upstream to Ashton Dam - May 26 – November 30
- From Ashton Dam to the posted boundary upstream of the Riverside campground - Open all year
- From the posted boundary upstream of the Riverside Campground to the lower Harriman State Park boundary - May 26 – November 30
- From the lower Harriman State Park boundary to the Upper Harriman State
Park boundary - June 15 – November 30
- From the upper Harriman State Park boundary to the upstream to Macks Inn Bridge - May 26 – November 30
Special Regulations
- From its mouth upstream to Del Rio Bridge - 6 fish limit
- From Del Rio bridge upstream to Ashton Dam - 2 fish limit, none under 16"
- From Ashton Dam to Highway 20 (Wendell) Bridge - 6 fish limit
- From Highway 20 (Wendell) Bridge upstream to the posted boundary
upstream of the Riverside campground - 2 fish limit, none under 16"
- From the posted boundary upstream of the Riverside Campground upstream to the lower Harriman State Park boundary - No bait, Barbless hooks, Catch-and-release
- From the lower Harriman State park boundary upstream to the upper Harriman State Park boundary - Fly fishing only, Barbless hooks, Catch-and-release
- From the upper Harriman State Park boundary upstream to Island Park Dam - No bait, Barbless hooks, Catch-and-release
- From McCrea Bridge upstream to Macks Inn Bridge - No motors
Trout
- Upper river, rainbows, some over 25"; a few cutthroat and brook trout
- Below Mesa Falls, rainbows and cutthroat-rainbow hybrids, both sometimes exceed 22"; growing number of brown trout, some over 25"
Henry’s Lake
Season
- The portion of the lake within the posted boundaries of Staley Spring - Closed to fishing
- The portion of the lake within 100 yards of Hatchery Creek as posted - Closed to fishing
- Remainder of the lake - May 26 – November 30
Special Regulations
- Remainder of the lake - 2 fish limit, Brook trout must be counted, Must quit fishing if two fish in posession
Trout
- Yellowstone cutthroat, cutthroat-rainbow hybrids, and brook trout. Average mean size for hybrids is 19" and 16" for cutthroat and brook trout. Potential for trophy fish with all three species
South Fork of the Snake River
Season
- From its mouth upstream to the Palisades Dam - Open all year
Special Regulations
- From its mouth upstream to the Palisades Dam - No limit on cutthroat, 2 fish limit on brown trout, No limit on rainbows and hybrids
Trout
- Yellowstone and Snake River finespotted cutthroat in 12" to 18" class and a few 20" to 22"
- Brown trout in 15" to 25" class; trophy fish exceed 30"
- Fish and Game attempting to reduce as much as possible growing population of rainbow and cutthroat-rainbow hybrids
- Numerous whitefish, 6" to 20"
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