Idaho Fishing Reports ยท Salmon Region
Below Hells Canyon Dam, the Snake River runs through the deepest gorge in North America, with steelhead, big smallmouth bass, rainbows and sturgeon.
Looking for the latest Snake River (Hells Canyon) river report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Snake River (Hells Canyon).
Current flows
Wind forecast
Snake River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Steelhead are in the canyon in fall. Smallmouth slow down as the water cools.
Most anglers fish from jet boats or float trips.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Hells Canyon, bring: Woolly Bugger #2-6, Clouser Minnow #2-6, Egg #8-12, Crayfish #4-6, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Squirmy Wormie #12-14.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Snake River details
| Access | Hells Canyon Dam launch, Pittsburg Landing and jet-boat trips from Lewiston. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 1,100 to 1,700 ft |
| Nearest town | Riggins, Idaho |
| Best season | Spring through fall |
| Fish | Steelhead, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, sturgeon (catch-and-release) |
| Regulations | Steelhead and salmon seasons open and close by river reach, and a steelhead permit is required. Check the Idaho Department of Fish and Game seasons and rules before you go. An Idaho fishing license is required for anglers 14 and older, plus a steelhead or salmon permit where those fish are targeted. |
| Leaders and tippet | Sink tips for steelhead, 1X to 3X for bass |
| Camping | Pittsburg Landing and river camps |
| Kids | Only on guided trips. |
| Good to know | Very powerful water. Float trips need permits in season. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Steelhead.
Spring
Spring steelhead and smallmouth.
Summer
Smallmouth and trout.
Fall
Steelhead and smallmouth.
How to get there
From Cambridge, take State Highway 71 to Oxbow and the Hells Canyon Dam road, or reach Pittsburg Landing from White Bird.