Fishing Season: Year Round (Prime: June - October)

St. Joe River - ID

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

44

NW Outfitters's Tip of the Week

Water came up, but it's back on the drop for now. Floating the lower river is the best option at these flows if you have some experience on the oars. Look for the soft water, side channels and flooded willows.

Directions open in app

Map of St. Joe River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 4/14/26

Supposed to cool off again so hopefully the river will get back on the drop.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/14/26

Streamers and nymphs in the morning, but bigger bugs can come off on the warmer days. Look for skwalas and march browns to get fish up in the softer water.

Local Species Available Year Round (Prime: June - October)

  • Fish Icon

    Primarily Westslope Cutthroat Trout

NW Outfitters's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Adam's Purple Parachute purple 12-16
Sparkle Dun yellow, rusty 12-16
Stimulator olive, yellow, orang 8-16
Elk Wing Caddis tan, brown 16-18
Sparkle Minnow olive, yellow/brown 4-6
Dali Lama olive/white, white, 6
TH Duracell Jig purple, brown 12-16
Indicator Beetle black, green 12-16
Rubber leg nymphs black, olive, brown 8-12
Sculpzilla natural, olive 6-8

Adam's Purple Parachute

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

2.49

Item #7R6K

Buy Now

NW Outfitters's Recommended Gear

Description: About St. Joe River

The St. Joe River flows through the panhandle region of northern Idaho and is a blue ribbon fishery for Native West Slope Cutthroat trout. The lower portion can be floated but above Avery it is primarily walk and wade water. The best times to count on good fishing are from early June through mid October. Some years like this spring there is decent pre runoff fishing in early to mid spring. These are beautiful fish in a very scenic river.

Nearest Airport:

Spokane International Airport

Hatches:

Streamers and nymphs, skwalas, march browns, blue wing olives.

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoon

Best Stretch:

Avery and down

Best Access:

Pull outs along the road