Idaho Fish Report

The last day of steelhead fishing was April 30. Fishing for steelhead will resume in Hells Canyon on Sept. 1, 2023. Spring Chinook fishing opened on the Snake River from Dug Bar Boat Ramp upstream to the deadline below Hells Canyon Dam on April 22. Few Chinook salmon have arrived in the Snake River, so fishing will likely be slow until more fish move into the river.

Consult the regulation updates tab for more information about fishing for spring Chinook salmon in Hells Canyon this year. Anglers need to remember that barbless hooks must be used when fishing for salmon or steelhead on the Snake River.

Sturgeon fishing can be good in the Snake River downstream of Hells Canyon Dam. Anglers are reminded that they must use barbless hooks to fish for sturgeon, and sturgeon may not be retained in the Snake River. All sturgeon must be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water.

Bass fishing has been good in Hells Canyon. Plastic jigs and diving lures can be great ways to catch bass in Hells Canyon. Anglers need to be aware that they can encounter bull trout when fishing Hells Canyon during the cooler months and that all bull trout caught must be released