The Potlatch River in Idaho is a remarkable 56-mile waterway that flows from its headwaters in the Hoodoo Mountains through diverse terrain before joining the Clearwater River near Spalding. This freestone river system offers exceptional fishing opportunities for both resident and anadromous species, flowing through steep basaltic canyons rimmed by rolling cropland in the lower reaches and timbered hills in the upper reaches. The river ranges in elevation from 4,932 feet at Beals Butte to approximately 800 feet at its confluence with the Clearwater River, creating diverse habitat conditions throughout its length. Unlike the nearby Palouse River system, the Potlatch flows freely without major natural barriers, making it accessible to anadromous fish migration and supporting one of Idaho's most productive steelhead fisheries.