Trip brief · Salmon River
How to go fish the Salmon River
The months we list for the Salmon River are 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
Access
Stanley Town Access
44.217, -114.938parking
Salmon Falls / Lower Stanley
44.150, -114.870parking
Challis Access
44.502, -114.229parking
Salmon City (Town)
45.177, -113.895parking
Regs — check current rules before you go
Idaho fishing license required. Steelhead and salmon require additional Idaho steelhead/salmon permits. Bull trout must be released immediately — do not remove from water. Check IDFG regulations annually for Chinook harvest windows and steelhead quotas, which change year to year. Wilderness sections require self-sufficient backcountry skills. Outfitter permits required for guided float trips in the Frank Church Wilderness. No bait on certain designated fly-fishing-only stretches.
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 Salmon River page →