Top Waters in Clearwater Region
Clearwater River
RiverA renowned 74.8-mile steelhead and salmon river famous for its large B-run steelhead - ocean-run rainbow trout that often reach 10-13 lbs. The state record steelhead (30.13 lbs) was caught here in 1973. Big Chinook salmon fresh from the ocean near Lewiston.
Lochsa River
River69.2 miles of wild, free-flowing river with no dams. Legendary wilderness stream known for native Westslope Cutthroat Trout. Clear mountain water with cutthroat eager to smash bushy dry flies. Epitomizes Idaho's wilderness fishing experience.
Selway River
River100.1 miles of pristine wilderness river with outstanding cutthroat trout fishing. True backcountry setting - float access recommended. Abundant cutthroat in headwaters eager for dry flies.
Deer Creek Reservoir
ReservoirA beautiful 65-acre mountain reservoir built specifically for trout fishing, located 11 miles north of Pierce. Stocked with rainbow, brook, and unique Tiger Trout for variety. No-wake restriction keeps it peaceful. High catch rates from shore or boat.
Dworshak Reservoir
ReservoirA massive 16,484-acre reservoir with excellent Kokanee, Cutthroat Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, and Bull Trout (catch-and-release). Multiple boat ramps and campgrounds. One of Idaho's premier large reservoir fisheries with regular rainbow stocking.
Kelly Creek
RiverA legendary 26-mile wild trout stream, tributary of the North Fork Clearwater River. Known for native Westslope Cutthroat Trout in a pristine wilderness setting. Catch-and-release only with barbless hooks required - no bait. One of Idaho's finest wild trout fisheries.
Kiwanis Park Pond
LakeA convenient 4.4-acre community pond in Lewiston's Kiwanis Park along the Snake River. Walking distance to picnic shelters and playground. Stocked with rainbow trout from March through June and in October for high catch rates.
Lake Waha
LakeA 94-acre lake with limited public access - most shoreline is privately owned. The IDFG access site provides a dock and boat ramp for boaters. Water levels can fluctuate greatly. Good for kokanee, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and stocked rainbow trout.
All 9 Waters in Clearwater Region
Steelhead Mecca: Fishing the Clearwater Drainage
The Legendary B-Run Steelhead
The Clearwater River is synonymous with B-run steelhead—ocean-run rainbows that spend an extra year at sea to reach massive sizes, often exceeding 20 pounds. From October through March, the river becomes a destination for swing-anglers and drift boaters seeking the fish of a lifetime. The confluence at Lewiston is the starting point for fish heading deep into the Idaho wilderness.
Dworshak and the North Fork
Above the Clearwater sits Dworshak Reservoir, a massive impoundment known for holding the state record smallmouth bass and offering excellent kokanee fishing. Below the dam, the 'North Fork Clearwater' provides a unique fishery where stable water temperatures keep trout active year-round and provide a critical refuge for returning salmon and steelhead.
Native Wilderness Streams
The Lochsa and Selway offer mountain-river fishing for native westslope cutthroat trout. Roadside access and remote sections have very different travel requirements. Match your route to your experience, check seasonal road and trail conditions, and read the rules for the specific river section before fishing.
Regional Highlights
- Clearwater River
- North Fork Clearwater
- Dworshak Reservoir
- B-Run Steelhead
Clearwater Region general daily limits
These are regional general daily limits only. Water-specific Special Rule Waters are not displayed on this page; check the official IDFG source below (pages 19-22) for exceptions and the rule for your exact water. IDFG states possession is three times the applicable daily bag limit.
- In rivers and streams, no bag, length or possession limits, spearfishing allowed
- In lakes and reservoirs, limit is 6, both species combined
- Brook Trout limit is 25
- Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules – if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for Brook Trout
- Bull Trout – catch-and-release
- Kokanee limit is 25
- Some salmon seasons and limits are published separately. Confirm current openings and limits in IDFG’s active salmon rules.
- Defined as Rainbow Trout longer than 20 inches in the Snake River drainage below Hells Canyon Dam, the Salmon River drainage (excluding lakes and reservoirs), and the Clearwater River drainage (excluding that portion above Dworshak Dam and lakes)
- Fishing for steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season is specifically opened for that water (see steelhead seasons/limits on page 53)
- Sturgeon – catch-and-release
- Sturgeon must not be removed from the water and must be released upon landing
- Barbless hooks, sliding swivel device to secure a weight, and a lighter test line to secure weight to sliding swivel device are required, see page 56
- Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches
- In rivers and streams, trout limit is 2, all species combined
- In lakes, reservoirs, ditches and canals, trout limit is 6, all species combined
- Harvest is encouraged. No bag, length, or possession limits.
- Whitefish limit is 25
- Harvest allowed during any open season unless otherwise noted under Special Rules – if gear or bait restrictions are listed, they apply when fishing for whitefish
- May not be harvested or possessed
- No bag, length, or possession limits
Source: IDFG 2025–2027 Fishing Seasons & Rules. Pages 19-22.