Clearwater River at Spalding
USGS 13342500 · Sep 3, 2026, 5:00 PM
Every 60 min · daylight
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Idaho Rivers › North-Central Idaho
A broad, road-accessible big river with blue-ribbon steelhead seasons, salmon opportunity, and mixed trout and bass fishing.
A broad, road-accessible big river with blue-ribbon steelhead seasons, salmon opportunity, and mixed trout and bass fishing. Explore seasonal hatches, access points, and current flow conditions below.
Best Season
Fall through winter for steelhead; spring into early summer for salmon context and mixed trout action; summer for smallmouth and opportunistic trout fishing.
River Type
Large mainstem river with varied current speeds, long runs, deep holes, and slower shoreline water in places.
Skill Level
Intermediate to advanced overall; approachable in developed access areas, but big water, changing flows, and species-specific rules reward preparation.
Best Techniques
Drift fishing, side-drifting, floats, and hardware for steelhead and salmon when seasons are open; nymphs, caddis and Baetis patterns in softer trout water; streamers and warmwater lures for smallmouth in summer.
Access
Excellent by Idaho standards, with road corridors, multiple boat ramps, and several developed facilities noted by IDFG.
Explore fish species associated with the Clearwater River. Each profile includes identification tips, habitat notes, and practical fishing guidance for Idaho anglers.
Review seasonal insect hatches on the Clearwater River, including timing windows and fly pattern suggestions for Idaho fly fishing.
Check current seasons, limits, and special rules for Clearwater River before you go. Regulations change — always verify with IDFG.
The latest fishing conditions and hatch notes for Clearwater River. Older reports live in the Clearwater River report archive.
These YouTube videos have been hand-curated by our team because we feel they best represent the Clearwater River fishery. Watch for river character, access context, and techniques that translate to your next Idaho trip.
Map data © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap
Today's day score from live flow, weather, and water temperature where gauges allow — not a guarantee, a planning signal.
USGS 13342500 · Sep 3, 2026, 5:00 PM
Every 60 min · daylight
USGS 13340000 · Sep 3, 2026, 5:00 AM
Every 60 min · 247
The Clearwater River supports 4 fish species in our Idaho fishing catalog. Browse each profile for identification tips, seasonal patterns, and how these species are managed on this water.
These 11 YouTube videos have been hand-curated by our team because we feel they best represent the Clearwater River fishery. Each pick highlights river character, access, and techniques worth knowing before you fish this Idaho water.
Jones Sport Fishing
Jan 28, 2026
Topography_AntlerHunter
Jan 17, 2026
Jones Sport Fishing
Oct 26, 2025
Fish P0rn
Dec 12, 2024
Jones Sport Fishing
Dec 19, 2022
Jones Sport Fishing
Oct 10, 2022
Pautzke Bait
Jan 27, 2021
Hickology
Mar 20, 2018
NorthwesternOutdoors
Nov 19, 2018
Jones Sport Fishing
Dec 12, 2016
The Clearwater River has 7 documented insect hatches across spring, summer, fall, and winter. Review seasonal timing and recommended fly patterns to plan productive days on this Idaho water.
Fishing guides, outfitters, shuttles, and shops that operate on the Clearwater River.
The latest fishing conditions and hatch notes for Clearwater River. Older reports live in the Clearwater River report archive.
Early steelhead are showing in cooler water running stable at 10,600 cfs and 55°F. Fish skated flies and Scandi setups for steelhead, or work softer edges with lighter rigs for trout.
Today's day score from live flow, weather, and water temperature where gauges allow — not a guarantee, a planning signal.
Hourly weather is unavailable right now, so today has no score.
