Barbless.coBarbless.co
  • Home
  • Map
  • Reports
  • Guides
  • Fish
  • Hatches
  • Podcast
Sign in
Barbless.co

The more you understand, the more there is to see.

  • IdahoLive
  • CaliforniaSoon

Explore

  • Map
  • Reports
  • Browse reports
  • By region

Waters

  • River search
  • Guides & outfitters

Learn

  • Fish species
  • Hatches & forage
  • Podcast

Company

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial policy
  • Releases
  • Legal

© 2026 Barbless.co. Flow and gauge data from USGS; weather from Open-Meteo. · v2026.10.18.2

  1. Idaho
  2. Rivers & Lakes
  3. Dempsey Creek

Updated September 2, 2026

← Back to map

Idaho Rivers › Eastern Idaho

Dempsey Creek

Premier Idaho trout water with diverse seasonal hatches.

Recommended water13 mi · 21 kmFreestone RiverTrout fishery
View on MapGet Directions
Brown troutCutthroat trout

A Legendary Idaho Fishery

Portneuf River tributary in Bannock County (~13.0 mi). IDFG recommended fishing water near Lava Hot Springs; Southeast Region general trout rules apply.

Sources: idfg.idaho.gov

Best Season

May – October

River Type

Freestone

Skill Level

Beginner – Intermediate

Best Techniques

Dry Flies, Nymphing

Access

Moderate

Gauge stations along the Dempsey Creek

No gauges
No USGS gauges on this stretch.

Access

Fish in Dempsey Creek

Explore fish species associated with the Dempsey Creek. Each profile includes identification tips, habitat notes, and practical fishing guidance for Idaho anglers.

Hatches on Dempsey Creek

Review seasonal insect hatches on the Dempsey Creek, including timing windows and fly pattern suggestions for Idaho fly fishing.

Regulations

Check current seasons, limits, and special rules for Dempsey Creek before you go. Regulations change, so always verify with IDFG.

View IDFG Regulations

Guides & Outfitters

Recent conditions on Dempsey Creek

The latest fishing conditions and hatch notes for Dempsey Creek. Older reports live in the Dempsey Creek report archive.

Videos on Dempsey Creek

These YouTube videos have been hand-curated by our team because we feel they best represent the Dempsey Creek fishery. Watch for river character, access context, and techniques that translate to your next Idaho trip.

Photos

Nearby Communities

  • Lava Hot Springs4.7 mi
  • Arimo8.6 mi
  • Virginia9.2 mi
  • Turner9.5 mi
  • Downey10.5 mi
  • Central11.3 mi

On this page

Overview
Flows
Live camerasAccessFishHatchesRegulationsGuides & OutfittersVideosPhotosNearby Communities

River Tools

  • View on Map
  • Get Directions

Map data © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

Fish in Dempsey Creek

The Dempsey Creek supports 2 fish species in our Idaho fishing catalog. Browse each profile for identification tips, seasonal patterns, and how these species are managed on this water.

  • Brown Trout
    Brown TroutWary, hard-fighting trout that reward careful presentations and can grow into true fish-eaters.
  • Cutthroat Trout
    Cutthroat TroutIdaho’s native trout, built for cold streams and lakes and famous for rising to a well-drifted fly.

Videos on Dempsey Creek

These YouTube videos have been hand-curated by our team because we feel they best represent the Dempsey Creek fishery. Watch for river character, access context, and techniques that translate to your next Idaho trip.

No videos
No related videos yet.

Access

No access sites yet
No mapped access sites along this river yet.

Guides & Outfitters

Fishing guides, outfitters, shuttles, and shops that operate on the Dempsey Creek.

No verified providers for this river yet. Browse the full directory.

Hatches on Dempsey Creek

Review seasonal insect hatches on the Dempsey Creek, including timing windows and fly pattern suggestions for Idaho fly fishing.

We don't have a hatch chart for this water yet. These are the hatches common on Idaho trout water this season, not a record of this river.

Likely hatching

  • Blue-winged olives / Baetis
  • October caddis
  • Mahogany duns
  • Streamer bite

Recommended flies

  • BWO
  • October Caddis
  • Soft hackle
  • Streamer