Kelly Creek

A 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.

Species: Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Bull Trout. Difficulty: advanced. Rewards technical skill and local knowledge.

Best timing: Summer and Fall. Summer fishes best at first light and late evening; midday is technical. Fall is prime — heavy feeding before winter, fewer crowds.

Regulations: Catch-and-release only. No bait allowed, barbless hooks required. Bull Trout catch-and-release. Always confirm with the current IDFG rule book before fishing.

Clearwater context

The Clearwater drainage is steelhead country — specifically B-run fish that spend an extra year at sea and arrive at trophy sizes from October through March. Dworshak Reservoir holds the state-record smallmouth and an outsized kokanee fishery. Above the reservoir, the North Fork stays cold and productive year-round; the Lochsa and Selway feed in as wild and scenic westslope cutthroat strongholds. Lewiston, Orofino, and Kamiah are the staging towns.

Plan for the experience level the fishery rewards.