Kelly Creek

Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 5
Species: 5

Kelly Creek is a pristine mountain stream located in the Idaho panhandle, nestled in the wild west slope of the Bitterroot Mountains. This gem offers anglers gin-clear water and one of Idaho's finest native westslope cutthroat trout fisheries. Beginning high in the mountains, Kelly Creek flows as a fast-moving freestone stream with a steep gradient, characterized by boulder-filled runs and pocket water that create ideal habitat for trout. The creek is a tributary of the North Fork Clearwater River, and is encompassed by the Clearwater National Forest, providing a remote and scenic backdrop for fishing. With its reputation as a premier fishing destination in the Clearwater Basin, Kelly Creek offers anglers the opportunity to experience exceptional fishing in solitude, far from civilization, in a setting that remains as clean and clear today as it was 100 years ago.

Idaho licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Kelly Creek and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Cutthroat Trout

Oncorhynchus clarkii

Bull Trout

Salvelinus confluentus

Mountain Whitefish

Prosopium williamsoni

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Kelly Creek. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Kelly Creek

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Idaho licenses and regulations

Idaho Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Idaho Fishing License

"To fish in Idaho any person 14 years of age or older must have a valid fishing license. Anglers younger than 14 do not need a license, but there is a small difference between resident and nonresident youth. -A resident child under 14 has their own separate fishing limit. -A nonresident child under 14 must be with someone who has a valid fishing license and their fish are in included in the license holders fishing limit. However, a nonresident child may purchase their own license and have their own limit. Special fishing permits are need for some activities for both residents and nonresidents: -Fishing for salmon and steelhead -Fishing with two poles."

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Idaho Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Idaho Stream Access Laws

Navigable streams are recognized as public transportation corridors, thus members of the public have the right to use the corridor, provided they enter and exit the corridor at a public right of way and remain within the corridor. Many navigable streams flow through private property, thus it is important that anglers know their rights and responsibilities when fishing in navigable waters that flow through private property.

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Take Kelly Creek with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Kelly Creek to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Kelly Creek to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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