Trout Fishing in Idaho - Fly Fishing

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes In Idaho

Henrys Lake yielded the state record brook trout, the South Fork Snake River was home to the state record brown trout, the state record cutthroat came from Bear Lake, the Idaho record Dolly Varden trout came out of Lake Pend Oreille, the state record golden trout was caught from White Sands Lake, the record for Kamloops Trout came from Lake Pend Oreille, Priest Lake gave up the Idaho state record lake trout, the state record rainbow trout came from Hayden Lake and the Idaho state record steelhead trout came from Clearwater River. So there are big trout throughout Idaho waters.

Some of the major lakes with healthy populations of trout include American Falls Reservoir, Anderson Ranch Reservoir, Arrowrock Reservoir, Bear Lake, Blackfoot Reservoir, Brownlee Reservoir, C J Strike Reservoir, Cascade Reservoir, Coeur D'Alene Lake, Deadwood Reservoir, Dworshak Reservoir, Hayden Lake, Hells Canyon Reservoir, Henry's Lake, Island Park Reservoir, Lake Pend Oreille, Lake Walcott, Lucky Peak Reservoir, Magic Reservoir, Mormon Reservoir, Mud Lake, Palisades Reservoir, Payette Lake, Priest Lake, Redfish Lake, Ririe Reservoir, Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir and Spirit Lake.

Visit the Idaho Fish and Game Department website for details on trout stocking in Idaho.

Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss

Known for its tasty pink flesh, beauty and gameness, the rainbow trout is a favorite among the vast majority of trout fishing anglers. It also appeals to the fly fisherman as it can be tempted to take properly presented flies as well as other baits and lures. It feeds on small insects, minnows, crustaceans and worms. Rainbow trout fishing is fun for both sport and dining pleasures.

In waters that allow such migration the rainbow trout will remain in streams until it reaches 6" to 9" in length and then travel to lakes or oceans where it will bulk up and then return to the streams or rivers to spawn. Steelhead trout are rainbow trout which have adapted to the salt water environment. Fishing for steelhead is very similar to fishing for rainbows. However in winter the steelhead typically prefer spoons or bait rather than flies.

Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook trout are found in clear cold waters which seldom exceed 68 degrees. As the waters to warm, the brook trout population begins to diminish. Its primary food source is small insects, mollusks, crustaceans and other small fishes.

Fishing for brook trout is the easiest of all the trouts. Look for gravel bottom streams with a moderate current, plenty of waterfalls and ponds which include rocks and cover. Overhanging trees offer additional shade, attract insects and offer protection from preying birds. Duplicate their food source and you are in business.

Brown Trout
Salmo trutta

The brown trout can tolerate slightly warmer waters than the brook trout and have taken over some of the fisheries formerly inhabited by the brookies. It is much more wary than other trouts which help ensure its longevity in waters where other trouts get fished out.

When brown trout fishing look for quiet water with lots of cover. Logs, under cuts in the bank, rock shelves, overhanging trees and brush are some of the brown trouts favorite hiding places. The larger they get, the more wary they become and are more inclined to feed at night under the protection of darkness.

Brown trout feed on worms, minnows, insects and crustaceans. Dry fly fishing for pan-sized browns is a favorite technique as they rise well to these crafty presentations. Larger browns tend to feed more on flesh and favor nutritious crustaceans, worms or small fishes. When fly fishing for large brown trout use wet flies which mimic the local natural baitfish.

Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush

The lake trout is by far the largest of the trouts. It lives in deep cold lakes and is also known as Great Lakes trout, Mackinaw trout and salmon trout. It feeds on virtually all forms of flesh which abound in its home waters. Minnows, smelt, eels and any variety of small fishes are part of the lake trout's diet. It's rich flaky flesh makes it a tasty table favorite.

In early spring these fish can be taken in the lake shallows on dry flies, wet flies and other slow moving presentations. Once the surface waters warm the lake trout retreats to deep water where trolling with heavy tackle is the preferred method. Spoons and baitfish imitating lures worked near the bottom provide the best results. As summer warms the water, cowbells and other flashing devices trolled deep often can get you to the depth where the lake trout stalk.

Cutthroat Trout
Salmo clarki

Cutthroat trout flourish in cold mountain streams that eventually drain into the Pacific Ocean. It too can be taken on flies as well as other baits and lures. It primarily feeds on small insects, minnows, crustaceans and worms.

Cutthroat trout fishing is an angler favorite on big, fast-moving waters. Fly fishing is the preferred method but they can be caught on any number of minnow or grub imitating lures as well as an assortment of live bait offerings.

Organizations & Resources

Cutthroat Trout Conservation
DMOZ Trout Section

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The states list to the left can direct you to information about trout in other states.

All About Fly Fishing for Trout in Idaho.

42 lbs - 2 oz

19 lbs - 0 oz

52 - 68 Degrees

Prefers generally clear flowing waters with turbulence for oxygenation over gravel, rock or sandy bottoms.

14 lbs - 8 oz

7 lbs - 1 oz

52 to 64 Degrees

Prefers clear cold water with moderate current over gravel, rocks or sand.

40 lbs - 4 oz

26 lbs - 6 oz

56 - 64 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained cool water with minimum current over rock or sandy bottoms with heavy cover.

72 lbs - 0 oz

57 lbs - 8 oz

52 - 68 Degrees

Prefers clear to slightly stained water with significant depths and sandy bottoms in the shallows.

41 lbs - 0 oz

18 lbs - 15 oz

68 - 72 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained to murky water with little or no current.