The Salmon River, often referred to as The River of No Return, is one of Idaho's most legendary fishing destinations. Spanning 425 miles and covering 14,000 square miles, this majestic waterway originates in the Sawtooth and Lemhi Valleys of central and eastern Idaho. The river flows through the second-deepest gorge on the continent—one-fifth of a mile deeper than the Grand Canyon—with its granite-walled canyon exceeding one mile in depth for approximately 180 miles. The Salmon River offers anglers an incredible diversity of fishing experiences, from remote wilderness sections requiring boat access to more accessible areas near bridges and roads. With its abundant fish species, breathtaking scenery, and wildlife encounters including mule deer and bighorn sheep, the Salmon River provides an angling paradise that could take weeks to fully explore.
Learn what type of fish are at Salmon River and what's needed to catch them.
Micropterus dolomieu
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Salvelinus fontinalis
Oncorhynchus clarkii
Salvelinus confluentus
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Oncorhynchus kisutch
Coregonus clupeaformis
Prosopium williamsoni
Ptychocheilus oregonensis
Oncorhynchus nerka
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Updated Nov 13, 2026. Sizes are the length the agency reports. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.
Open stocking page, opens in new tabLearn how to get on Salmon River. 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.
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.
What you need to float or boat Salmon River, and when to apply.
Hammer Creek to the Snake
Self-issue permit · Private trips · Required year-round
Private trips on the Lower Salmon below Hammer Creek need a free self-issued BLM permit, all year for overnight trips and July 1 to Labor Day for day trips.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 with BLM Cottonwood Field Office
Corn Creek to Long Tom Bar
Lottery permit · Private trips · Required year-round
Every private float trip on the wild Main Salmon from Corn Creek to Long Tom Bar needs a permit, and Jun 20 to Sep 7 launches are drawn in the Four Rivers lottery.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 with Salmon-Challis National Forest
Upstream of Vinegar Creek
Reservation permit · Motorboats · Required year-round
Every powerboat trip upstream of the Vinegar Creek boat ramp needs a permit, and Jun 20 to Sep 7 is limited to six boats a day.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 with Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
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.
"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."
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.
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.
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.
Download the map around Salmon River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Keep a private fishing journal for Salmon River to find where and when fish are biting for you.
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See the best times to fish Salmon River and check the forecast before you go.
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