The 5 Best Fish to Catch in Idaho This Summer

Quick Take

• One fish on this list isn't actually the species its name suggests, and that identity twist changes how Idaho regulates it entirely. Discover the real species →
• Idaho has a fish with landlocked ocean DNA that pulls double duty as some of the best table fare you can catch in freshwater. Meet the landlocked salmon →
• At least two species on this list have no statewide bag limit, though the reasons behind that generosity couldn't be more different. See the no-limit rules →
• One reservoir produces a single species so far beyond its average size that the numbers seem like a misprint. Explore Dworshak's trophy fish →

Idaho offers thousands of miles of rivers and alpine lakes teeming with freshwater sport fish. Each summer, anglers flock to Idaho’s legendary waters, including the Snake River, the Salmon River, and Dworshak Reservoir, for world-class dry-fly fishing and backcountry angling against a scenic mountain backdrop. Continue reading to discover the best fish to catch in Idaho this summer.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) have a bronze-to-olive-green back, vertical dark flanks, and a jaw that does not extend past the eye. An average smallmouth bass is between 10 and 16 inches long and weighs one to three pounds, though trophy waters like Dworshak Reservoir produce smallmouth bass weighing more than nine pounds.

Some of the best places to cast a line for smallmouth include the Snake River, the Clearwater River, and Lake Pend Oreille. In most Idaho waters, the daily combined bag limit for bass (largemouth and smallmouth) is 6, but some waters have no bag or size limits, therefore, it is wise to always check local regulations for exceptions.

Black Crappie

Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) have a deep, compressed body covered in silvery-olive to bronze scales with random, irregular dark spots and seven to eight dorsal spines. An average black crappie is 8 to 10 inches in length and weighs 1/4 to 1/2 pound.

Black crappie can be found at prime locations like C.J. Strike Reservoir and Brownlee Reservoir. Under general statewide rules set by Idaho Fish and Game, there is no daily bag or possession limit for crappie, but anglers should always verify local exceptions.

Brook Trout

The brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) is easily recognized by its olive-green body, distinctive cream or yellow worm-like markings on its back, red spots surrounded by blue halos along the flanks, and striking white-and-black-edged lower fins.

In Idaho’s cold mountain streams and alpine lakes, brook trout average 6 to 12 inches in length and weigh between one-half pound and one pound, though exceptional trophy waters like Henrys Lake yield much larger specimens.

If you’re targeting brook trout, Henrys Lake, the Big Wood River, and countless high-elevation alpine lakes nestled in regions like the Sawtooth and Bitterroot ranges will not disappoint.

Because they are an introduced, highly prolific species that can outcompete native fish, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game maintains a generous statewide daily bag limit of 25 brook trout with no minimum length restrictions in most general waters. However, anglers should always verify specific regional rules or exceptions before heading out.

Yellow Perch

Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) feature a vibrant golden-yellow to greenish body with six to eight dark vertical stripes and bright orange lower fins. These panfish average 6 to 10 inches long and weigh under a pound, though Lake Cascade produces trophy-sized yellow perch weighing over two pounds.

Statewide, there is no daily bag or size limit on yellow perch, though anglers should verify localized exceptions through the Idaho Fish and Game rules. Hailed as the ultimate freshwater panfish, the yellow perch is prized for its sweet, mild flavor and firm, flaky white meat.

Kokanee

Kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) are landlocked sockeye salmon with bright silver bodies and blue-green backs that turn brilliant red with green heads when they are spawning. An average kokanee is 9 to 18 inches long and weighs one to four pounds. Anderson Ranch Reservoir, Deadwood Reservoir, and Lake Pend Oreille are splendid places to cast a line for kokanee.

The daily bag limit for kokanee is generally 15 fish statewide, but this can vary by water body, but always consult the current Idaho Fish and Game regulations for specific limits. Kokanee are considered exceptional table fare with rich, oily, and delicately flavored orange-pink flesh similar to ocean-run sockeye salmon.