Species Listed for This Water
A species listing does not establish an open season or permission to keep a fish. Check the water-specific rules below before choosing a target species.
Highlights
Regulations
- Bass: In rivers and streams, no bag, length or possession limits, spearfishing allowed
- Brook Trout: 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: Bull Trout – catch-and-release
- Kokanee: Kokanee limit is 25
- Salmon: Some salmon seasons and limits are published separately. Confirm current openings and limits in IDFG’s active salmon rules.
- Steelhead: Defined as Rainbow Trout longer than 20 inches in the Salmon River drainage (excluding the Lemhi and Pahsimeroi rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and ponds) Fishing for steelhead is prohibited unless a steelhead season is specifically opened for that water (see steelhead seasons/ limits on page 53)
- Sturgeon: 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: Tiger Muskie limit is 2, none under 40 inches
- Trout includes Lake Trout, Golden Trout, Arctic Grayling, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Sunapee Trout and trout hybrids: Trout limit is 6, all species combined Chinook Salmon and steelhead placed in ponds are counted in the trout bag limit
- Walleye: Harvest is encouraged. No bag, length, or possession limits, spearfishing allowed.
- Whitefish: 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
- Protected Nongame Fish including Pacific Lamprey: May not be harvested or possessed
- All Other Fish Species includes bullfrogs and crayfish: No bag, length, or possession limits
No water-specific rule was found in our indexed IDFG data for Salmon River (Main). The general Salmon Region limits above are a starting point only; confirm the exact water and section in the current IDFG rules before fishing.
Stocking Information
We do not have a dated stocking record for Salmon River (Main) in this guide. That does not mean the water has never been stocked.
Check IDFG stocking records and schedulesGetting There
This pin identifies the water, not a verified parking area, boat launch, or legal entry point. Choose an established access site and check road conditions, fees, and land ownership before following directions.
Plan a trip to Salmon River (Main)
Pick the exact river or creek section before checking regulations. Rules can change at a bridge, dam, confluence, or regional boundary. Check flow conditions and a safe exit before considering a wade or float.
The planning seasons shown above describe when to consider a trip. They are not an opening calendar. Read the rules for Salmon River (Main), including section-specific restrictions, and check for current IDFG changes before fishing.
- Review Idaho fishing license and permit requirements for everyone in your group.
- Find an established fishing or boating access site with IDFG. A map pin does not grant access across private land.
- Compare other fishing waters in the Salmon Region for an alternative if your intended site is closed or unsuitable.
More in Salmon
Plan Your Trip
Review water details, access points, and live gauge conditions where a reporting station is available.
Explore Fishing HQ