Guide To Steelhead & Trout Fishing Locations In Idaho

All about fishing for rainbow, steelhead cutthroat, brook, brown and lake trout in Idaho lakes, rivers and streams.

Idaho Trout 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, Chesterfield Reservoir, Coeur D'Alene Lake, Deadwood Reservoir, Dworshak Reservoir, Hayden Lake, Hells Canyon Reservoir, Henry's Lake, Island Park Reservoir, Lake Lowell, Lake Pend Oreille, Lake Walcott, Lucky Peak Reservoir, Magic Reservoir, Mormon Reservoir, Paddock Valley Reservoir, Palisades Reservoir, Payette Lake, Priest Lake, Redfish Lake, Ririe Reservoir, Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir and Spirit Lake. Many lakes in the state offer ice fishing for trout in winter.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Select the best trout lures and baits

Trout spinners, crankbaits and jerkbaits work well for shallow, reasonably active fish. Salmon eggs, worms and prepared baits will work at virtually all depths.

ID trout fishing records

The state record rainbow trout came from the Snake River.

The state record cutthroat came from Bear Lake.

The state record brook trout was yielded by Henrys Lake.

The state record brown trout resided in Ashton Reservoir.

The state record lake trout came from Priest Lake gave up .

The record Dolly Varden trout came out of Lake Pend Oreille.

The state record golden trout was caught from White Sands Lake.

Tthe state record steelhead trout came from the Clearwater River.

Idaho's native trout is the Bull Trout. If you hook one, put it back immediately.

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

Watch trout fishing videos to see trout anglers in action.

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Browns are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts.

Additional trout information

Trout Conservation
Trout Unlimited

Trout fishing waters and information, by state.