Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageRivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Clark Fork River (Idaho) Fishing Guide
Idaho
The Clark Fork in Idaho, from below Cabinet Gorge Dam to its delta in Lake Pend Oreille, where Idaho Fish and Game's recommended game fish include walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, lake trout and rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout.
Part of the Clark Fork River.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Clark Fork River (Idaho) for rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, lake trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and mountain whitefish. No agency season found for the species here.
There are 12 shops nearby (6 fly, 8 bait and tackle; some are both), including Fishers of Men Bait and Tackle in Sagle. Also nearby: Lake Pend Oreille.
Season at a Glance
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Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Cutthroat Trout
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Lake Trout
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Smallmouth Bass
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Walleye
Northern Pike
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Mountain Whitefish
Legend
This Month Spawning No Agency Season Found
Spawning: IDFG: Rainbow Trout; Brown Trout; Walleye; Mountain Whitefish
Licenses & Regulations
Most anglers need an Idaho fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.
Parts of the Clark Fork River
- Main PageClark Fork RiverThe Clark Fork from its wild trout water through Missoula to Idaho, where it runs below Cabinet Gorge Dam to Lake Pend Oreille with walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and trout.
- Rivers & Streams · MontanaClark Fork River (Missoula)A wild trout river through Missoula, where rainbow trout and rainbow x cutthroat hybrids make up most of the trout, with brown trout and native westslope cutthroat.
- Rivers & Streams · Idaho · You're HereClark Fork River (Idaho)The Clark Fork in Idaho, from below Cabinet Gorge Dam to its delta in Lake Pend Oreille, where Idaho Fish and Game's recommended game fish include walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, lake trout and rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout.
Clark Fork River (Idaho) Species
Rainbow Trout
No agency season found.
Spawning: Mar to May, per IDFG
View Species
Brown Trout
No agency season found.
Spawning: Sep to Nov, per IDFG
View Species
Cutthroat Trout
No agency season found.
View Species
Lake Trout
No agency season found.
View Species
Smallmouth Bass
No agency season found.
View Species
Walleye
No agency season found.
Spawning: Mar to May, per IDFG
View Species
Northern Pike
No agency season found.
View SpeciesMountain Whitefish
No agency season found.
Spawning: Sep to Nov, per IDFG
View SpeciesSpecies per IDFG.
Images: Duane Raver and Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish
Rainbow Trout
No agency season found
Fly
9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodRedington Classic Trout Fly Rod · 9 ft 0 in, 5 weight, 4 pieceCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 5 and 6 weightCheck Price
- LineScientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line · 5 wt.Check Price
- LeaderRIO Tapered Trout LeadersCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Fly for November · #16-22Zebra MidgeTailwaters.See Options
- Fly for November · #14-20Pheasant Tail NymphSee Options
- Fly for November · #4-12Woolly Bugger · Umpqua Wooly BuggerCheck Price
Spin / Cast
6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.
Rod, Reel and Line
- Rod & ReelUgly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo · 7 ft ultralight rod, size 25 reel, 2 pieceCheck Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 4 or 6 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline Spinner · Mepps Aglia Inline SpinnerCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1 ozCasting Spoon · Acme Kastmaster SpoonSmall sizes for trout.Check Price
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near Clark Fork River (Idaho):
- Fishers of Men Bait and Tackle, SagleWebsite
- Superfly Tackle, KootenaiWebsite
- Booze 'N Bait, TroyWebsite
Map of Clark Fork River (Idaho)
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
No agency season found for the species here.
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
42°F high, 30°F low
About 3.5 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
13,300 cfs
Most years 7,562 cfs to 17,860 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 7 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 12392000, 1928 to 2014.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check PriceTerminal Tackle
Northland Rock-Runner Bottom Bouncer
A bottom bouncer with a 10 in stainless steel wire feeler that glides over rocks, logs and weeds, for drifting and trolling spinner rigs and live bait for walleyes.
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Shops Near Clark Fork River (Idaho)
Bait & Tackle
Fishers of Men Bait and Tackle
Sagle, Idaho
475 Old Highway 95 208-290-3117
The retail shop sells live and frozen bait, fishing rods, lures and tackle.
Live bait
Farther Out
Bait & Tackle
Fins & Feathers Tackle Shop
Coeur D'Alene, Idaho
1816 Sherman Avenue 208-667-9304
Established in 1984, the tackle shop supplies anglers fishing regional lakes and rivers.
Guides and Charters Near Clark Fork River (Idaho)
Farther Out
GuideFly Fishing
Blacky's Guide Service
Hayden, Idaho
1650 E Lancaster Rd 208-699-1360
Per their website: Steelhead, Chinook Salmon
Guide
Adventure Guide Service
Coeur D'Alene, Idaho
4267 S Westway Dr 208-651-7001
Per their website: Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, Steelhead, Full-Day Trips
