UTERWhite sturgeon fishing in Idaho freshwater
In Idaho freshwater, white sturgeon peak March–May and September–October and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Snake River through Hells Canyon — catch-and-release only, keep it in the water.
No note for October — see the months around it.
White sturgeon in Idaho freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchPeak
- AprilPeakSnake River through Hells Canyon — catch-and-release only, keep it in the water.
- MayPeak
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish white sturgeon 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 white sturgeon
- Ghost shrimpThreaded on a #4 to 1/0 baitholder hook on a Carolina rig in the surf or the bay — the surfperch, corbina and sturgeon bait.
- HerringCut-plug for salmon: head off at an angle, guts out, two hooks in tandem so it spins slow behind a flasher or a banana weight. Whole and live on a circle hook for stripers where the herring run.
- 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.
- Leader15–30 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–2/0
- Braid10–20 lb
Feeds in 46–66°F water, best at 50–60°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch white sturgeon in Idaho freshwater?
Peak season is March–May and September–October. White sturgeon are here year-round. April: Snake River through Hells Canyon — catch-and-release only, keep it in the water.
Where do white sturgeon hold in Idaho freshwater?
Look on bridge, river — around Henry's Fork, South Fork Snake, Lake Pend Oreille, Clearwater River, Lake Cascade, Snake River.
What is the best bait for white sturgeon in Idaho freshwater?
Live bait: ghost shrimp, herring, salmon eggs (roe). Ghost shrimp: Threaded on a #4 to 1/0 baitholder hook on a Carolina rig in the surf or the bay — the surfperch, corbina and sturgeon bait. Tackle: leader 15–30 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–2/0, braid 10–20 lb.
What are the rules for white sturgeon 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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