Fishing Season: Year Round

Boise River - ID

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

42

Chad Allen's Tip of the Week

Boise River (In-Town) Flows have dropped down to 587 cfs making the river very fishable! Now is the time to get heavy on the nymphs and cover water with streamers, October caddis are also starting show up, as well as crane flies. South Fork Boise Tailwater River has dropped to 304 cfs, very wade-able, try October caddis, crane flies, and other attractor nymph patter

Directions open in app

Map of Boise River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Tight Lines

5-Day Outlook as of 9/25/25

South Fork Boise Tailwater Keep and eye on flows as they have dropped to 304 cfs, but with precipitation in the forecast flows could come back up!

Techniques & Tips as of 9/25/25

Streamer fishing for the local in-town fishery would be a great way to cover water

Local Species Available Year Round

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    Rainbow Trout

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    Brown Trout

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    Whitefish

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    Pike Minnow

Chad Allen's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Tungsten Nemec Stone Nymph brown 8-12
Tunghead Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail N/A 16-18
Hawkins' Hat Trick olive 8-12
I Can See It Midge Fly black 18-22
Zebra Midges Black 16-20
Pheasant Tails Brown 16-20
Midge black 18-22
Bead Head Soft Hackle Hare's Ear Nymph black 16-20
FB Hares Ear Tan 16-20
Cheech Leech Red/Blk 4

Tungsten Nemec Stone Nymph

Reach the deepest lies with this tungsten stonefly nymph.

2.99

Item #9R8R

Buy Now

Chad Allen's Recommended Gear

Description: About Boise River

The Boise River consists of three separate forks that emerge from the Sawtooth Mountain Range. The confluence of the North and Middle forks join together near the town of Idaho City. The North fork is roughly 50 miles long. The Middle Fork is about a 52 mile stretch. Once joined together, the river continues its flow until it reaches Arrowrock Reservoir. The South Fork of the Boise River is a 101 mile stretch that rises from the Sawtooth National Forest, out of the Soldier and Smoky Mountains near Fairfield, Idaho. The South Fork flows into Arrowrock Reservoir and eventually joins the other sections at Arrowrock Dam. Past the dam, the river flows west adding in the Mores Creek tributary as it passes through Lucky Peak Dam and into the Boise area. Throughout the city of Boise, the river is lined with a 35 mile recreational and alternate transportation area known as The Boise Greenbelt. The Boise River then winds west toward northern Canyon County, where it eventually meets up with The Snake River at the Idaho-Oregon Border.

Nearest Airport:

BOI

Hatches:

SF Boise: Pinks, crane flies, October Caddis, standard Caddis, Flavs Boise River in Town: Caddis, Tricos, BWOs, Midges, Streamers

Best Time to Fish:

Morning

Best Stretch:

Below Anderson Dam down to Danskin Bridge.

Best Access:

Barber Park to Eagle, use the Greenbelt to access the water, for in town fishing.