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 are finally down to 618 cfs. The river is currently great for wading and floating alike! Heavy, attractor nymphs are the way to go! Evenings at around 7-8 pm boast a great caddis and PMD hatch with many fish rising for dries shortly before sunset. Streamers are also producing fish on cutbanks and near structure, especially on cloudy and overcast days. South Fork Boise Tailwater The South Fork has been fishing great! Floating is the way to go as flows continue to push water downstream at 1600 cfs. Big, buggy dries with a stonefly underneath have proved very effective. Big foam up top is certain to pick up fish.

Directions open in app

Map of Boise River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Tight Lines

5-Day Outlook as of 7/3/26

Boise River (In-Town) The Boise River floating season is about to begin, and the river between Barber Park and Ann Morrison Park will be crowded. If you're floating the river, be cautious of others! South Fork Boise Tailwater Bright and sunny brings good hatches and hungry fish! Fish on!

Techniques & Tips as of 7/3/26

Boise River (In-Town): Heavy nymphs and streamers, some dries during the early morning and late evening hours. South Fork Boise Tailwater: Buggy dries and stonefly nymphs!

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: Stoneflies, Caddis Boise River in Town: Caddis, Mayflies, 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.