Idaho Fish Report

Spring Chinook fishing opened on the Snake River from Dug Bar Boat Ramp upstream to the deadline below Hells Canyon Dam on April 22. Anglers were successful catching spring Chinook earlier in the year, but fishing has slowed significantly. Chinook fishing will probably remain slow throughout the summer until fall Chinook start arriving later in the year.

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 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 can be excellent in Hells Canyon during the summer. Plastic jigs and diving lures can be great ways to catch bass in Hells Canyon. They also can be caught on flies including on the surface