Idaho Fishing Licenses, Laws, and Regulations
Idaho is famous for its shimmering lakes, world-class trout fishing streams and huge reservoirs that attract keen anglers with a variety of fishing experiences. Idaho’s waters are famous for the rich population of fish species such as brown trout, rainbow trout, chinook salmon, steelhead, black bass, largemouth bass, and pike or pikeperch. In spring, summer, and fall, the heavily-covered steelhead thrives on several Idaho rivers. Anglers are advised to check the Snake River or any of the waterways they intend to visit for current fishing regulations.
Obtaining an Idaho fishing license is easy as it can be done through the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website. Those who prefer to buy their fishing license in person can do so from authorized license sellers and from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game Regional Office.
Idaho Fishing Licenses
All fishing rules and regulations in the lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water in the United States were created to protect fish populations. The fishing regulations at Snake River adhere to the same rules to maintain a healthy fish population that will thrive for generations. In connection with this, there are state regulations for further protection for every species of fish.
Anglers are encouraged to contribute not only to the protection and maintenance of Idaho’s waterways, but also to cleanup and other related activities led by conservation groups and local associations. A true angler knows the importance of conserving natural resources and even looks for ways and means to add to the cause.
Obtained a fishing license for Idaho
Anglers in Idaho have several options for obtaining their fishing licenses.
- With One Provider – Below is a list of providers to choose from
River 1 | 201 Hillside Dr Challis, Idaho 83226 United States | (208) 774-2270 |
Gateway Mini Mart | 610 Highway 93 N. Challis, Idaho 83226 United States | (208) 819-1246 |
The real value of the village square | 600 Highway 93 S. Challis, Idaho 83226 United States | (208) 879-2338 |
Bent tail outdoors | 1303 E. Highway 93 Challis, Idaho 83226 United States | (208) 879-2500 |
Jerry’s Country Store | Highway 75 Lower Stanley Stanley, Idaho 83278 United States | (208) 774-3566 |
Smiley Creek Lodge | 16546 N Highway 75 Stanley, Idaho 83278 United States | (208) 774-3547 |
Ridleys | 411 Deinhardgasse McCall, Idaho 83638 United States | (208) 634-8719 |
Stanley Fly Shop | 166 niece avenue Stanley, Idaho 83864 United States | (208) 721-7151 |
Mountain Village Resort | Highway 21/275 Eva Falls Stanley, Idaho 83278 United States | (208) 774-3500 |
Albertson McCall | 132 E. See St. McCall, Idaho 83638 United States | (208) 634-8166 |
corner store | 410 courthouse Dr. Salmon, Idaho 83467 United States | (208) 756-2113 |
Salmon river fly | 402 Hauptstr. Salmon, Idaho 83467 United States | (208) 756-1939 |
93 outdoor sports | 517 S. Challis Salmon, Idaho 83467 United States | (208) 756-3002 |
Murdoch’s ranch | 520 Shop St. Salmon, Idaho 83467 United States | (208) 756-1537 |
Stinker Stores 78 | 119 W Roseberry Rd Donnelly, Idaho 83615 United States | (208) 325-8501 |
- By Phone – Call 1-800-554-8685 to purchase your license.
- Visit the Idaho Department of Fish and Game official website to purchase your license. After purchasing, you can print out your licenses immediately. https://idfg.huntfishidaho.net/login.
- Visit a regional fish and game office. Below is a list of the nine offices.
Panhandle region | 2885 W. Kathleen Ave. Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 | P: (208) 769-1414 | F: (208) 769-1418 |
Clearwater region | 3316 16th St. Lewiston, ID 83501 | P: (208) 799-5010 | F: (208) 799-5012 |
North McCall Southwest Region | 555 Deinhardgasse McCall, ID 83638 | P: (208) 634-8137 | F: (208) 634-1683 |
Southwest Region South – Nampa | 15950 N. Gate Boulevard Nampa, ID 83687 | P: (208) 465-8465 | F: (208) 465-8467 |
Magic Valley region | 324 South 417 East – Suite 1 Jerome, ID 83338 | P: (208) 324-4359 | F: (208) 324-1160 |
Southeast region | 1345 Barton Road Pocatello, ID 83204 | P: (208) 232-4703 | F: (208) 233-6430 |
Upper snake region | 4279 commercial district Idaho Falls, ID 83401 | P: (208) 525-7290 | F: (208) 523-7604 |
Salmon region | 99 freeway. 93 N. Salmon, ID 83467 | P: (208) 756-2271 | F: (208) 756-6274 |
Headquarters office | Postal delivery: PO Box 25, Boise, ID 83707 Street: 600 S. Walnut, Boise, ID 83712 | P: (208) 334-3700 | F: (208) 334-2114 |
Who Needs an Idaho Fishing License?
All persons over the age of 14 must be in possession of a valid general fishing license. You do not need a fishing license for young anglers under 14 years of age. Here are the regulations for anyone under the age of 14.
- A resident child under the age of 14 has their own catch limit
- A non-resident child under the age of 14 must be with someone who has a valid fishing license, and the child’s fish is included in the license holder’s catch limit. The non-resident child can buy his driver’s license and has his limit.
Specialized fishing permits for both residents and non-residents are required for certain activities, such as:
- Fishing for salmon and steelhead
- Two rod fishing
Types of Idaho Fishing Licenses and Costs
We have compiled the different types of fishing licenses, tags and permits for both residents and non-residents for your information.
Resident license fees:
Products | costs | Remarks |
Combination – hunting and fishing for adults | $ 38.75 | – |
Combination – hunting and fishing for adults – 3 years | $ 97 | – |
Combination – Junior Hunting and Fishing (14-17 years) | $ 19 | – |
Combination – Junior Hunting and Fishing (14-17 years) – 3 years | $ 49 | – |
Combination – Senior Hunting and Fishing (65+ years) | $ 13.75 | – |
Combination – Senior Hunting and Fishing (65+ years) – 3 years | $ 33.50 | You must have been an Idaho resident for more than six months to apply |
Combination – athlete package | $ 144.60 | – |
Disabled American Veterans – Fishing | $ 5.75 | For residents only. A letter from the Veteran Affairs Office must be presented stating that there is at least a 40% disability. |
American Disabled Veterans – Combination of Hunting and Fishing | $ 5.75 | For residents only. A letter from the Veteran Affairs Office must be presented stating that there is at least a 40% disability. |
Disabled – fishing | $ 5.75 | For residents only – must be proven with official documents of disability. |
Disabled people – combination of hunting and fishing | $ 5.75 | For residents only – must be proven with official documents of disability. |
Disabled people – combination hunting and fishing – 3 years | $ 11.50 | For residents only. Must Present a letter to a seller from the SSI, SSDI, or Railroad Retirement Board to prove that the individual is disabled and economically disadvantaged, or has a signed and completed certificate of permanent disability. |
Fishing – adults | $ 30.50 each | – |
Fishing – adults – 3 years | $ 73.75 | – |
Fishing – Daily (first day) | $ 13.50 | Each additional consecutive day adds $ 6. |
Fishing – Junior (14-17 years) | $ 13.75 | – |
Fishing – Junior (14-17 years) – 3 years | $ 37.75 | – |
Military leave – combination of hunting and fishing | $ 20.50 each | Residents who are in U.S. military service and who are resident in Idaho can purchase this license while on vacation. |
Fees for the residence permit:
Fishing with two rods is $ 15.
License fees for non-residents
article | costs | Remarks |
Combination – hunting and fishing for adults | $ 240 | |
Combination – hunting and fishing for adults – 3 years | $ 716.50 | |
Fishing – adults | $ 98.25 | |
Fishing – adults – 3 years | $ 291.25 | |
Fishing daily (first day) | $ 15 | Each additional consecutive day adds $ 7. added |
Fishing junior (14-17 years) | $ 21.75 | Any non-resident youth who want their fishing limit must purchase a junior fishing license |
Fishing junior (14-17 years) – 3 years | $ 61.75 | Any non-resident child who wants their fishing limit must purchase a junior fishing license |
Fishing license renewal in Idaho
Every angler has to buy his license again as soon as the expiry date has passed. You can sign in with the same account that you used when you first purchased.
Idaho fish size and limits
The pocket limit, or the maximum number of fish a person can catch per day. Here are a few standard rules in the state of Idaho:
- Brown trout – cannot exceed 25 per day
- Kokanee – cannot exceed 25 per day
- Tiger Muskie – 2 or less
- Pikeperch – 6 or less
- Cisco – 30 or less
- Bull trout and sturgeon must be caught and released
- During the Steelhead season, the ball possession limit is 9; the daily harvest is 3 and 20 for the entire season
Each region has specific guidelines that must be followed. Please follow these regional daily baggage limits for each designated location in Idaho.
Daily baggage limits for the Panhandle region:
bass | The daily limit is 6 |
Brown trout | The daily limit is 25 |
Bull trout | The daily limit is 0 – must catch and let go |
burbot | The daily limit is 6 |
Chinook salmon | The daily limit is 2; none can be equal to or larger than 20 inches |
Kokanee | The daily limit is 15 |
sturgeon | Sturgeon fishing in the Kootenai River is illegal |
Tiger Muskie | The daily limit is 2; none can be greater than or equal to 40 inches |
Trout | The daily limit is 6 |
whitefish | The daily limit is 25 |
All other fish species | No pocket size or ownership restriction |
Daily baggage limit for the Clearwater region:
bass | In rivers and streams, no restrictions on pockets, size, or possessions. In lakes and reservoirs the limit is 6, both types combined |
Brown trout | The daily limit is 25 |
Bull trout | The daily limit is 0, you have to catch and let go |
Kokanee | The daily limit is 25 |
salmon | Prohibited unless properly opened for that water |
Steel head | No longer than 20 inches in the Snake River |
sturgeon | The daily limit is 0 and must be caught and released again. |
Tiger Muskie | The daily limit is two and none below 40 inches. |
Trout | In rivers and streams, the limit is two and must be less than 40 inches. |
whitefish | The daily limit is 25 |
Protected non-wild fish | May not be owned or harvested |
All other fish species | No pocket, size or possession restrictions |
Daily luggage limit for the southwest region:
bass | Bass limit is 6, none under 12 inches |
Brown trout | The daily limit is 25 |
Bull trout | The daily limit is 0, you have to catch and let go |
Kokanee | The daily limit is 6 |
salmon | Prohibited unless specifically opened for that water |
Steel head | Prohibited unless specifically opened for that water |
sturgeon | The daily limit is 0, catch and release |
Tiger Muskie | The daily limit is 2, none under 40 inches |
whitefish | The daily limit is 25 |
Protected non-wild fish | May not be harvested or owned |
Trout | The daily limit is 6 |
All other fish species | No size, pocket or ownership restrictions |
Daily baggage limit for the Magic Valley region:
bass | Bass limit is 6, none under 12 inches |
Brown trout | The daily limit is 25, harvesting allowed during the open season |
Bull trout | The daily limit is 0, you have to catch and let go |
Kokanee | The daily limit is 6 |
sturgeon | The daily limit is 0, must find barbed hooks and release and use them |
Tiger Muskie | The daily limit is two and none below 40 inches |
Trout | The daily limit is 6, in rivers and streams only 2 of the six trout can be neck trout |
Pikeperch | The daily limit is 6 |
Protected non-wild fish | May not be harvested or owned |
All other fish species | No pocket, size, or obsession |
Daily baggage limits for the Southeast region:
bass | The daily limit is 6, none under 14 inches |
Brown trout | The daily limit is 25 |
Cisco | The daily limit is 30 |
Kokanee | The daily limit is 6 |
sturgeon | The daily limit is 0, you have to catch and let go |
Tiger Muskie | The daily limit is two and none below 40 inches |
Trout | The daily limit is 6. Only 2 of the six cutthroat trout are allowed in rivers and streams. being |
whitefish | The daily limit is 25 |
Protected non-wild fish | May not be harvested or owned |
All other fish species | No pocket, size or possession restrictions |
Daily baggage limits for the upper snake region:
bass | The daily limit is 6 |
Brown trout | The daily limit is 25 |
Bull trout | The daily limit is 0, you have to catch and let go |
Kokanee | The daily limit is 15 |
sturgeon | The daily limit is 0, must catch and release. Must use barbless hooks |
Tiger Muskie | The daily limit is 2, none under 40 inches |
Trout | The daily limit is 6 |
whitefish | The daily limit is 25 |
Protected non-wild fish | May not be harvested or owned |
All other fish species | No pocket, size or possession restrictions |
Daily luggage limits for the salmon region:
bass | No limit |
Brown trout | The daily limit is 25 |
Bull trout | The daily limit is 0, you have to catch and let go |
Kokanee | The daily limit is 25 |
salmon | Prohibited unless indicated by open water |
Steel head | Must be 20 inches or longer |
sturgeon | The daily limit is 0, must catch and let go |
Tiger Muskie | The daily limit is 2, none under 40 inches |
Trout | The daily limit is 6 |
whitefish | The daily limit is 25 |
Protected non-wild fish | May not be owned or harvested |
All other fish species | No pocket, size or possession restrictions |
Steelhead’s spring season runs from January through April or May. For more information, see the Idaho Department of Fish and Game website at https://idfg.idaho.gov/rules/fish.
Best fishing spots in Idaho
When it comes to the best fishing spots, there are a variety of reservoirs, lakes, dams, rivers, and creeks to choose from. One of our favorites is Brownlee Reservoir on the western border near Oregon. The body is approximately 13,000 hectares and stretches for 80 kilometers. Some of the popular game fish are panfish, largemouth bass, catfish, trout, and black bass.
If you love total adventure then Lake Cascade is beautiful for you. It has one of the largest bodies of water on 27,000 hectares with fantastic camping opportunities and other recreational activities such as jet skiing and water skiing. But don’t let that fool you, the fishing opportunities are even better. You Can Expect to Find Bluegills, Crappies, Perch, Perch, Salmon, and Trout.