Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

Idaho

State, United States. Authority : Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG).
2025 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.

Licence
US$320.50Nonresident Fishing – Adult – 3 Year
Calendar lines open on
123 September 2026
Minimum sizes
101.6 cmTiger muskie

Useful gear for this area

Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.

  • Silver digital hanging scale with backlit screen and hookResponsible gear
    Backlit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg

    To check the minimum size: Muskellunge 101.6 cm here.

    €32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
  • Small spool of green 100 m fishing braid
    8-Strand Green PE Braid, 100 m

    For : european perch, brown trout, rainbow trout · spoon and spinner fishing

    €22.90£12.90Not shipped to the United States
  • Open box of 132 fishing lures sorted into compartments
    132-Piece Lure and Tackle Box

    For : northern pike, zander, walleye · spoon and spinner fishing

    €51.90£29.90Not shipped to the United States

2025 season calendar

Species
Trout and general fishing3all year

"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

SpeciesMinimum size0–110 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

To check the minimum size: Muskellunge 101.6 cm here. Backlit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States

Bag limits

SpeciesFish 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

LicenceDurationPrice
Resident Fishing – Adult1annualUS$30.50
Resident Fishing – Adult (Resident Price-lock)1annualUS$25.75
Resident Fishing – Adult – 3 Year13-yearUS$88
Resident Fishing – Daily (first day)11-dayUS$13.50
Resident Fishing – Daily, each consecutive day added at purchase1+1 dayUS$6
Resident Fishing – Junior (14-17)1annualUS$16
Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing – Senior (65+)1annualUS$13.75
Resident Fishing – Two-pole permit1annualUS$15
Nonresident Fishing – Adult2annualUS$108
Nonresident Fishing – Adult – 3 Year23-yearUS$320.50
Nonresident Fishing – Daily (first day)21-dayUS$22.75
Nonresident Fishing – Daily, each consecutive day added at purchase2+1 dayUS$7
Nonresident Fishing – Junior (14-17)2annualUS$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

  1. IDFG – License, Tag, and Permit Costs – Residents (lu via web.archive.org, snapshot 2026-08-14) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
  2. IDFG – License, Tag, and Permit Costs – Nonresidents (lu via web.archive.org, snapshot 2026-09-18) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
  3. Idaho Fishing 2025-2027 Seasons & Rules, 2nd Edition 2026 (IDFG, lu via web.archive.org) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
  4. Go Outdoors Idaho (vente officielle) (accessed on 23 September 2026)

Last checked : 23 September 2026.

Other areas in the United States

Fishing regulations in the United States