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Idaho

Boise River fishing guide

This Idaho river system holds eight species including Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Kokanee Salmon, and White Sturgeon. Anglers can access the Boise River via public bank fishing at multiple locations including Lansing Lane, Martin Landing, Airport, and Midland Road. Both wading and drift opportunities exist along the river corridor.

Satellite view of Boise River

Current conditions

As of September 3, 2026, Boise River is running around 711 cfs. The nearest streamgage reports flow but not water temperature, so no temp is shown. Conditions are fair for fishing right now.

State
Idaho
Public access
Yes
Access points
4
Species recorded
23

These conditions are read from our data about once a day and may not reflect the current moment. For real-time conditions, open Guidepole Fish.

Map of boat launches and public access points on Boise River
Launch Access
Boat launches and public access on Boise River. Tap a marker for directions. Full interactive map + live conditions in the app.

Public access & launches

  • Martin LandingIDFG
    Fishing access
  • AirportPrivate IDFG Private
    Fishing access
  • Midland RoadPrivate
    Fishing access
  • Lansing LanePrivate
    Fishing access

Regulations

  • Trout
    Bag
    2
    Size
    none under 14 inches
  • All species

    Southwest Region general rules apply

  • All species

    Southwest Region general rules apply

  • Trout
    Bag
    2
    Size
    none under 14 inches
    Gear
    No bait allowed
  • Trout
    Season
    Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30
    Bag
    2
    Size
    none under 20 inches
  • Trout
    Season
    April 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekend

    closed to fishing

  • Trout
    Season
    December 1 through March 31
    Bag
    catch-and-release
    Gear
    No bait allowed, one barbless hook per fly or lure
  • All species

    All other sections of the Boise River, South Fork upstream Anderson Ranch Dam - Magic Valley Region general rules apply

  • All species

    see Magic Valley Region rules (Page 33)

  • All fish (netted/trapped)

    All fish so taken must immediately be killed except non-invasive crayfish may be kept alive. Nets and seines may not be left unattended. Traps must be checked at least every forty-eight (48) hours. All traps must have a tag attached bearing owner's name and address, license number, or sportsman identification number.

As of 2026-08-28.Guidance, not legal advice — always confirm current rules with the state.Official Idaho regulations

What’s in it

Rainbow TroutnativeSteelheadnativeMountain WhitefishnativeNorthern PikeminnownativeCommon CarpintroducedChannel CatfishnativeLargemouth BassnativeBluegillnativeSeatrout (Freshwater)nativeBrown TroutintroducedPumpkinseednativeWhite Crappienative

Recorded in/near this water. Occurrence-based unless a higher-confidence source is shown — see it per-species in the app.

More Idaho fishing

Idaho field notes

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Boise's Ridge to Rivers: 210+ Miles of Trail Starting at the Edge of Town

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Fly Fishing the Henry's Fork: Railroad Ranch, Box Canyon, and the River That Tests Everything You Think You Know

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Sun Valley Fishing: Silver Creek, Big Wood River, and the Spring Creek That Changed Fly Fishing

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Boise River fishing — FAQ

Can you fish the Boise River?

Yes — the Boise River in Idaho has public access (4 public access point(s)). Open the guide to see the public access, launches, and current regulations.

Do you need a license to fish the Boise River?

Yes — Idaho requires a valid fishing license for most fishing. The current official state regulations are linked on this page.

What fish are in the Boise River?

Species recorded in the Boise River include Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, Mountain Whitefish, Northern Pikeminnow, Common Carp. The full list is on this page.

Where can you access the Boise River?

Access points include Martin Landing, Airport, Midland Road. See every launch and access site on this page.

Guidepole Fish

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