Trip brief · Big Wood River
How to go fish the Big Wood River
The months we list for the Big Wood River are May, June, July, August, September, October. You are inside that window now, so this brief is written for August.
August
No USGS gauge is mapped to this river.
Flies to tie — August
Grasshopper#8-12
Caddis#14-18
Pale Morning Dun#16-18
PMD Comparadun
Access
Ketchum City Access
43.681, -114.363parking
Dollar Bridge
43.610, -114.340parking
Hailey City Park
43.519, -114.315parking
Bellevue Access
43.473, -114.264parking
Regs — check current rules before you go
Idaho fishing license required. Special regulations apply in many sections — check IDFG annually. Ketchum to Bellevue: catch-and-release only for trout, artificial lures/flies only. Minimum size and bag limits vary by section. Do not fish from private property without permission — much of the best water runs through developed land. Respect landowner access restrictions. Whitefish harvest typically open in winter months.
Pack list
- A current state fishing licence
- Waders and boots you have already leak-tested
- Net, nippers, forceps
- Floatant and desiccant
- Tippet in the sizes the chart asks for
- Water, sun cover, polarised glasses
Generic gear. Anything specific to this water is above.
Full hatch chart, access map and live gauge on the Big Wood River page →