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Idaho
State, United States. Authority: Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG).
2025 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
Trout season 2027: all 50 states
Trout season 2027 guide: 50 statesPDF + online version · instant access
- Licence
- US$320.50Nonresident Fishing – Adult – 3 Year
- Calendar lines open on
- 123 September 2026
- Minimum sizes
- 101.6 cmTiger muskie
2025 season calendar
"All Waters Open All Year, except as modified in the Special Rule Waters" (each region). Salmon/steelhead have separate seasons and permits.
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–110 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Bass (largemouth and smallmouth)3 Southwest and Magic Valley regions; 14 in (35.6 cm) in Southeast region; no length limit in Panhandle; no limits at all in Upper Snake region | 30.5 cm | |
| Tiger muskie3 all regions | 101.6 cm |
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Bass (largemouth + smallmouth)3 general limit in Panhandle, Southwest, Magic Valley, Southeast regions; no bag limit in Upper Snake region; special waters differ | 6 per day |
| Trout (all species combined)3 general regional limit; Clearwater region rivers and streams: 2; brook trout counted separately (25) | 6 per day |
| Walleye3 Magic Valley region; in Panhandle, Clearwater, Southwest (illegally stocked) no bag/length limits and harvest encouraged | 6 per day |
| Northern pike3 no bag, length or possession limits; harvest encouraged (illegally stocked) | not published |
| Tiger muskie3 none under 40 in | 2 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Fishing – Adult1 | annual | US$30.50 |
| Resident Fishing – Adult (Resident Price-lock)1 | annual | US$25.75 |
| Resident Fishing – Adult – 3 Year1 | 3-year | US$88 |
| Resident Fishing – Daily (first day)1 | 1-day | US$13.50 |
| Resident Fishing – Daily, each consecutive day added at purchase1 | +1 day | US$6 |
| Resident Fishing – Junior (14-17)1 | annual | US$16 |
| Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing – Senior (65+)1 | annual | US$13.75 |
| Resident Fishing – Two-pole permit1 | annual | US$15 |
| Nonresident Fishing – Adult2 | annual | US$108 |
| Nonresident Fishing – Adult – 3 Year2 | 3-year | US$320.50 |
| Nonresident Fishing – Daily (first day)2 | 1-day | US$22.75 |
| Nonresident Fishing – Daily, each consecutive day added at purchase2 | +1 day | US$7 |
| Nonresident Fishing – Junior (14-17)2 | annual | US$23.75 |
Buy the licence on gooutdoorsidaho.com
- Ages and exemptions3
- Any person 14 years of age or older must buy a fishing license; children under 14 are not required to. Resident children under 14 keep their own limit; nonresident children under 14 must be accompanied by a licensed angler (their catch counts toward that angler's limit unless they buy a junior license). No fishing-only senior license: residents 65+ have a senior combination hunting & fishing license ($13.75).
Good to know
No statewide limits: rules set by 7 regions (Panhandle, Clearwater, Southwest, Magic Valley, Southeast, Upper Snake, Salmon). All waters open year-round unless special rules. Walleye and northern pike are unwanted (illegally stocked) in several regions: no limits, harvest encouraged. Resident 'Price-lock' discounted prices for continuous buyers. Depredation Management/Access fee added to annual licenses.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- idfg.idaho.gov injoignable le 2026-09-23 (connexion refusée) : tarifs et brochure lus sur des copies web.archive.org des pages officielles (août-sept. 2026)
- Montant de la « Depredation Management/Access fee » ajoutée aux permis annuels non relevé
- Pas de permis 3/7 jours (système 1 jour + jours consécutifs)
- Pas de limites statewide (règles par région) : tailles/quotas bass, walleye, pike donnés par région
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Idaho in 2025?
The “Nonresident Fishing – Adult – 3 Year” licence costs US$320.50 (3-year). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for muskellunge in Idaho?
Muskellunge: 101.6 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- IDFG – License, Tag, and Permit Costs – Residents (lu via web.archive.org, snapshot 2026-08-14) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- IDFG – License, Tag, and Permit Costs – Nonresidents (lu via web.archive.org, snapshot 2026-09-18) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Idaho Fishing 2025-2027 Seasons & Rules, 2nd Edition 2026 (IDFG, lu via web.archive.org) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Go Outdoors Idaho (vente officielle) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked: 23 September 2026.
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