Species / Rainbow Trout / Idaho
Trout & Salmon
Rainbow Trout Fishing in Idaho
The most widely stocked game fish in the country, found in cold rivers, tailwaters, and mountain lakes. Rainbows feed heavily on insects and eat dries, nymphs, and small lures.
Best Months: Mar to Jun, Sep to Nov
Plan by Month
Best Flies, Lures & Bait for Rainbow Trout
12 picks for October.
Parachute Adams #12-20
FlyDry Fly
Shop This FlyBlue-Winged Olive #16-22
FlyDry Fly · Overcast days.
Shop This FlyPheasant Tail Nymph #14-20
FlyNymph
Shop This FlyHare's Ear Nymph #12-18
FlyNymph
Shop This FlyPat's Rubber Legs #4-10
FlyNymph
Shop This FlySan Juan Worm #10-14
FlyNymph · After rain.
Shop This FlyEgg Pattern #8-16
FlyNymph
Shop This FlyWoolly Bugger #2-10
FlyStreamer
Shop This FlyInline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz
LureSpinner
Shop This LureCasting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz
LureSpoon
Shop This LureNightcrawlers Whole or half
BaitLive Bait · Where bait is legal.
Trout Dough Bait Pea size
BaitPrepared Bait · Stocked lakes.
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Rod & Reel
Rainbow Trout Setup
Rainbow Trout
Fly 9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.
Spin / Cast 6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.
Idaho
Where to Catch Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Idaho
Big Wood River
Runs through Ketchum and Hailey, with wild rainbows and browns.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Idaho
Boise River
A tailwater that runs right through the city of Boise, with year-round trout fishing.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Idaho
Clearwater River
Home to the B-run, among the largest steelhead in the Columbia Basin, from fall through spring.
Steelhead · Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Idaho
Henry's Fork of the Snake
Technical spring-fed water at Railroad Ranch. Selective rainbows and some of the best hatches in the West.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Lakes & Reservoirs · Idaho
Lake Coeur d'Alene
Deep Panhandle lake with smallmouth, bass, and cutthroat.
Smallmouth Bass · Largemouth Bass · Rainbow Trout
Lakes & Reservoirs · Idaho
Lake Pend Oreille
A deep glacial lake famous for Gerrard rainbow trout and lake trout.
Rainbow Trout · Lake Trout · Kokanee Salmon
Rivers & Streams · Idaho
Main Salmon River
Wild and Scenic river through the Frank Church wilderness. Fall steelhead and Chinook.
Steelhead · Chinook Salmon · Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Idaho
Silver Creek
Spring creek near Picabo. Slow, picky rainbows on tiny dry flies.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Idaho
South Fork of the Snake River
Tailwater flowing about 64 miles out of Palisades Dam on the Idaho-Wyoming border to its junction with the Henry Fork. Trout densities often run 4,000 to 6,000 per mile, and native Yellowstone and Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat remain a major part of the fishery.
Cutthroat Trout · Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Idaho
Shops to Stock Up
ANGLERS Fly Shop
Boise, Idaho
The shop offers casting lessons and fly-tying classes.
Fly tying · Classes
Cabela's
Boise, Idaho
The store includes a fly shop, bait shop and conventional fishing-line spooling service.
Rod and reel service
Recommended
Gear for Rainbow Trout
Bait
Berkley PowerBait Trout Dough
Floating scented dough for stocked trout in lakes.
Check PriceFly Rods
Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod
A smooth, moderate-action rod that is forgiving for new casters and protects light tippet.
Check PriceFly Rods
Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit
A complete rod, reel, and line outfit that covers most trout water and small-stream bass.
Check PriceFly Reels
Redington Behemoth Fly Reel
A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.
Check PriceFly Lines
RIO Gold Fly Line
A trout line that casts dries delicately and turns over nymph rigs.
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Scientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line
A smooth-shooting, all-around freshwater line.
Check PriceLeaders & Tippet
RIO Fluorocarbon Tippet
Low-visibility tippet for nymphs and wary fish in clear water.
Check PriceLeaders & Tippet
RIO Tapered Trout Leaders
Nine foot tapered leaders in 3X to 6X for dries and nymphs.
Check PriceWaders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.
Check PriceWaders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive boots with good grip on slick rock.
Check PriceNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.
Check PriceSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
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