Top 10 Freshwater Fish to Catch in Idaho
Top 10 Species
These are the fish that get noticed by FishyAF anglers. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.
1
Rainbow Trout
Verified
World Record
48 lb 0 oz
Sean Konrad / 2009
Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan
Sean Konrad / 2009
Lake Diefenbaker, Saskatchewan
Signature Fact
Siblings from one nest can grow up as 8-inch creek fish or 20‑plus‑pound ocean‑run steelhead, then spawn together.
2
Cutthroat trout
Verified
World Record
41 lb 0 oz
John Skimmerhorn / 1925
Pyramid Lake, Nevada, USA
John Skimmerhorn / 1925
Pyramid Lake, Nevada, USA
Signature Fact
The heaviest cutthroat ever verified came from Pyramid Lake's Lahontan strain, a freak of freshwater heft topping 40 pounds.
3
Smallmouth Bass
Verified
World Record
11 lb 15 oz
David L. Hayes / 1955
Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
David L. Hayes / 1955
Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee
Signature Fact
In winter, they huddle in massive "sleep piles"-hundreds nose-to-current, barely twitching for weeks.
4
Yellow Perch
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
4 lb 3 oz
William D. Schafer / 1865
Bordentown, New Jersey
William D. Schafer / 1865
Bordentown, New Jersey
Signature Fact
Females extrude a translucent, accordion-like egg ribbon up to 2 meters long, draping over weeds like party streamers.
5
Kokanee Salmon
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
9 lb 6 oz
Gerald E. Waddell / 2010
Okanagan Lake, British Columbia
Gerald E. Waddell / 2010
Okanagan Lake, British Columbia
Signature Fact
The kokanee all-tackle record hit 9 lb 10 oz-monstrous heft for a fish that sifts zooplankton.
6
Channel Catfish
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
58 lb 0 oz
Charles Ashley / 1964
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina
Charles Ashley / 1964
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina
Signature Fact
With over 100,000 taste buds, its whole skin acts like a tongue hunting through muddy darkness.
7
Brown Trout
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
44 lb 5 oz
Seumas Petrie / 2020
Ohau Canal, Twizel, New Zealand
Seumas Petrie / 2020
Ohau Canal, Twizel, New Zealand
Signature Fact
Brown trout have been filmed snatching low-flying bats off the water-night monsters with a mammal habit.
8
Largemouth Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
22 lb 4 oz
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Signature Fact
High-speed videos show they snap their mouth fully open in about 30 milliseconds, vacuuming prey from 3 inches.
9
Common Carp
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
75 lb 11 oz
Colin Smith / 2013
Lac de Saint-Cassien, France
Colin Smith / 2013
Lac de Saint-Cassien, France
Signature Fact
They remember being hooked for over a year, dodging that same rig and flavor like seasoned veterans.
10
Chinook Salmon
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
97 lb 4 oz
Les Anderson / 1985
Kenai River, Alaska
Les Anderson / 1985
Kenai River, Alaska
Signature Fact
Laboratory magnets made juvenile Chinook aim as if 'teleported' north or south, proving they navigate by Earth's field.
FAQs
What fish can you catch in Idaho?
Idaho’s freshwater delivers rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, yellow perch, kokanee salmon, channel catfish, brown trout, and common carp.
What is the best time of year to fish in Idaho?
Spring through fall is prime for most species in Idaho. Trout action heats up as water temps rise.
Where are the best places to fish in Idaho?
Idaho is loaded with freshwater spots. Look for waters that hold rainbow trout, bass, and perch for top action.
What gear do you need for fishing in Idaho?
Bring spinning or baitcasting setups for bass and perch, light tackle for trout, and heavier gear if you want to pull in bigger catfish or carp.
What are the easiest fish to catch in Idaho?
Yellow perch, common carp, and channel catfish are usually the most forgiving targets in Idaho’s freshwater.
