Fishing Season: Year Round (Prime: May 15 - November 1)

South Fork of the Snake River - ID

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

37

WorldCast Anglers's Tip of the Week

Outflow from Palisades Reservoir is around 900 cfs. Winter is here and expect low and clear flows.

Directions open in app

Map of South Fork of the Snake River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

The Lodge at Palisades Creek
Three Rivers Ranch
Spotted Horse Ranch
WorldCast Anglers

5-Day Outlook as of 12/16/25

Winter is here! Be on the lookout for warm days to maximize your fishing efforts. Midges will be the the vast majority of hatches.

Techniques & Tips as of 12/16/25

Dries, Nymphing, Dry Dropper and Streamers. Full WorldCast Anglers Fishing Reports can be viewed at http://bit.ly/Jacksonholefishingreport

Local Species Available Year Round (Prime: May 15 - November 1)

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    Cutthroat

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    Rainbow

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    and Brown trout

WorldCast Anglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Adam's Purple Parachute N/A 16-20
Griffith's Gnat N/A 18-22
TH Duracell Jig N/A 12-18
Hickey's Tungsten Bead Auto Emerger BWO 16-20
Pat’s Rubberlegs Brown/Black/Orange 4-12
Quill Body Jigs Purple/Orange/Black/ 10-16
Tunghead Pheasant Tail N/A 14-18
TH Zebra Midge Olive, Black, Red 16-20
Kreelex Black 4-6
Dungeon!!! Black, White and Olive 4

Adam's Purple Parachute

Tie on this deadly purple parachute dry fly to show trout something unique.

2.49

Item #7R6K

Buy Now

WorldCast Anglers's Recommended Gear

Description: About South Fork of the Snake River

Rated as one of the top cutthroat streams in the West, the South Fork is a tail-water fishery that flows out of Palisades Dam on the border of Wyoming and Idaho. The diversity of hatches, both aquatic and terrestrial, gives the South Fork a reputation for some of the best dry fly fishing in the world. Wild populations of native Yellowstone Cutthroat and Snake River Fine Spotted Cutthroat provide scrappy dry fly action year-round. With a healthy population of browns and rainbows ranging from 15-25 inches, the South Fork is a fly fisher's dream. Fishing starts with a bang in July during the highly sought after salmon fly hatch. Large 2-3 inch stone flies creep out of the depths and hatch by the thousands along the rivers edge, bringing fish of all sizes to the surface. Anglers are dumbfounded by the numbers of fish brought to the boat during this four week period. Following this hatch is a melting pot of diverse dry fly hatches that continue to change through the end of October as well as uncountable numbers of hoppers that tempt fate by traveling along the rivers banks. The South Fork of the Snake is a trip any angler should try to take when visiting the Jackson Hole area.

Nearest Airport:

Jackson Hole, WY (45 mins.) / Idaho Falls, ID (1.5 hours)/ SLC, UT (4 hours)

Hatches:

Midges are dominating the bug hatches.

Best Time to Fish:

Warmest parts of the day!

Best Stretch:

The best access is at Palisades Dam, Huskys, Irwin, Spring Creek Bridge, Conant, Cottonwood, Heise, Wolf Flats, Byington and Lorenzo.

Best Access:

Palisades Dam, Huskys, Irwin, Spring Creek Bridge, Conant, Cottonwood, Heise, Wolf Flats, Byington and Lorenzo.