Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Oct to Jun
Check Price Maker's PageRivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Main Salmon River (Wilderness Float) Fishing Guide
Idaho
The Main Salmon's wild section, floated by permit from the Corn Creek launch through the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness to Carey Creek, with cutthroat and rainbow trout, steelhead and whitefish.
Part of the Salmon River.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Main Salmon River (Wilderness Float) for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, steelhead and mountain whitefish. In November, steelhead is prime, and Egg Pattern, Intruder and Egg-Sucking Leech are a good place to start.
There is 1 shop nearby, including Hells Canyon Outfitters in Riggins. Also nearby: the Snake River (Hells Canyon).
Season at a Glance
JFMAMJJASOND
Rainbow Trout
Cutthroat Trout
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Steelhead
Mountain Whitefish
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower Spawning No Agency Season Found Closed by Regulation
Season Rules & Licenses
- IDFG steelhead rule, Salmon River middle section (Lake Creek Bridge to Long Tom Creek, which covers the whole wilderness float, 2026): open Jan. 1 to Mar. 31 and Sept. 1 to Dec. 31; August catch-and-release only; closed April to July. IDFG 2026
- IDFG fall 2026 steelhead, Salmon River middle section (Lake Creek Bridge to Long Tom Creek): open Sept. 1 to Dec. 31; 2 a day since Sept. 18, 6 in possession, 20 for the fall season. IDFG 2026
- Salmon River: trout limit 6; only hatchery trout with a clipped adipose fin may be kept; no harvest of cutthroat trout. IDFG 2026
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need an Idaho fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
Parts of the Salmon River
- Main PageSalmon RiverIdaho's Salmon River, known as the River of No Return, which runs from the Sawtooth and Lemhi valleys through the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and past Riggins to the Snake River.
- Rivers & Streams · Idaho · You're HereMain Salmon River (Wilderness Float)The Main Salmon's wild section, floated by permit from the Corn Creek launch through the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness to Carey Creek, with cutthroat and rainbow trout, steelhead and whitefish.
- Rivers & Streams · IdahoSalmon River (Riggins)The Lower Salmon River at Riggins, with steelhead, Chinook salmon, rainbow trout and smallmouth bass.
Main Salmon River (Wilderness Float) Species
Rainbow Trout
No agency season found.
Spawning: Mar to May, per IDFG
View Species
Cutthroat Trout
No agency season found.
View Species
Steelhead
Prime NowPrime months for: Salmon River, South Fork Salmon to Middle Fork Salmon
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Prime: Oct to Nov
View SpeciesMountain Whitefish
No agency season found.
Spawning: Sep to Nov, per IDFG
View SpeciesSpecies per USFS.
Images: Duane Raver and Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish● Prime in November
Steelhead
Prime Now · Oct to Nov
Fly
11 to 13 ft 7 or 8 wt spey or switch rod with a Skagit head and sink tips, or a 10 ft 8 wt single hand rod with an indicator rig.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodEcho Swing Switch Rod · 11 ft 7 in 7 weight, or 11 ft 8 in 8 weightCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 7 and 8 weightCheck Price
- LineScientific Anglers Sink-Tip Fly Line · 8 wt.Check Price
- LeaderRIO Fluorocarbon Tippet · not named by the setup textCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Fly for November · #6-10Egg Pattern · Umpqua EggIndicator rig.Check Price
- Fly for November · #2-1/0IntruderSwung on a sink tip.See Options
- Fly for November · #4Egg-Sucking Leech · Umpqua Egg Sucking LeechCheck Price
Spin / Cast
8.5 to 10.5 ft medium-light rod, 3000 spinning reel, 8 to 12 lb line. Float and jig or drift rigs.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodUgly Stik Elite Salmon/Steelhead Spinning Rod · 8 ft 6 in medium, 8 to 14 lb, fast, 2 pieceCheck Price
- ReelShimano Sedona Spinning Reel · C3000Check Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 8, 10 or 12 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline SpinnerSee Options
- Lure for November · 1/32 to 3/8 ozMarabou Steelhead JigUnder a float.See Options
- Bait for November · Single or clusterCured Salmon Eggs · Pautzke Balls O' Fire Salmon EggsWhere bait is legal.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.
Map of Main Salmon River (Wilderness Float)
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Steelhead
Daylight
Loading…
Moon
Loading…
Typical Weather
45°F high, 28°F low
About 2.4 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 16 mi away.
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 Feb
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 Feb
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 PriceApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Worn inside wading boots in place of waders when the water is warm enough to wet wade.
Pack It For: Jul to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on Main Salmon River (Wilderness Float)
Boat Ramp
Vinegar Creek Boat Ramp
Not recommended for the average user: 4-wheel drive and winch required to get back up the ramp (Forest Service)
DirectionsSource: US Forest Service. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near Main Salmon River (Wilderness Float)
Farther Out
Guides and Charters Near Main Salmon River (Wilderness Float)
Farther Out
Guide
Rapid River Outfitters, LLC
Riggins, Idaho
Per their website: Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips
Guide
S & S River Outfitters
Riggins, Idaho
Per their website: Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips
