Beginning near Payette Lake is a fishing location known as Little Salmon River that is famous for steelhead and salmon. At Riggins, Idaho, this river joins with the Salmon River. Rainbow trout make up the majority of the game fish you’ll find in Little Salmon River. Here you can also find cutthroat, steelhead, and Chinook salmon. Swift water poses a challenge when fishing, which often results in finding water pockets to fish. Regardless of the current, almost any part of the river is fishable with well-aimed casting. Most fishermen have success with fly fishing using swinging streamers, drifting nymphs, and egg patterns; however, the best method to use is drifting your bait.
Little Salmon River flows all along Highway 95. Although there is a lot of highway noise, this offers many access points.
Kayaking is permitted, but on this small stream you won’t find boat anglers. The shoreline includes both private and publicly accessible land. Beware of “no trespassing” signs or rocks painted orange. You are allowed to hike the river’s banks below the mean high-water mark.
Salmon fishing is best on the lower few miles of the river, but steelheads will travel 25 miles upstream to the falls. March is a prime fishing month for steelheads
Though the fish in the Little Salmon will respond to lures, there are many rocks in the river that tend to snag lures.
Note that Steelhead with adipose fins must be returned unharmed to the river.
Little Salmon River Fish:
Little Salmon River boat ramps:
The following boat ramps provide access to Little Salmon River.
