UTERCutthroat trout fishing in Idaho freshwater
In Idaho freshwater, cutthroat trout peak May–October and are around year-round, spawning in May–June, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. July: South Fork Snake and the St. Joe.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Cutthroat trout in Idaho freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchAround
- AprilAround
- MaySpawning
- JuneSpawning
- JulyPeakSouth Fork Snake and the St. Joe.
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish cutthroat trout near Henry's Fork, South Fork Snake, Lake Pend Oreille
Blue-ribbon trout rivers, Pend Oreille's giant lake trout and kokanee, the Clearwater's B-run steelhead, Cascade's jumbo perch, and the Snake through Hells Canyon for smallmouth and sturgeon.
What to use for cutthroat trout
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- Salmon eggs (roe)A dime-sized spawn sac tied in mesh, or single eggs on a #10 to #6 egg hook, drifted along the bottom for steelhead, trout and salmon. Check the state's rule — bait is banned on many trout and salmon waters.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 36–68°F water, best at 46–60°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch cutthroat trout in Idaho freshwater?
Peak season is May–October, with fish spawning in May–June (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Cutthroat trout are here year-round. July: South Fork Snake and the St. Joe.
Where do cutthroat trout hold in Idaho freshwater?
Look on river, creek / stream, lake, reservoir — around Henry's Fork, South Fork Snake, Lake Pend Oreille, Clearwater River, Lake Cascade, Snake River.
What is the best bait for cutthroat trout in Idaho freshwater?
Live bait: nightcrawlers, salmon eggs (roe). Nightcrawlers: Whole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for cutthroat trout in Idaho freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and change — read the current rule at https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/rules before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://idfg.idaho.gov/licenses.
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All about cutthroat trout · Idaho fresh water, the whole year