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

  1. Idaho
  2. Rivers & Lakes
  3. Lochsa River

Updated September 19, 2026

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Idaho Rivers › Clearwater Region

Lochsa River

A roadside freestone classic with strong cutthroat fishing and big-water mountain scenery.

Blue Ribbon water69 mi · 111 kmLarge freestone mountain riverTrout fishery
View on MapGet Directions
Westslope cutthroat troutRainbow/redband trout influenceBull trout present/protectedMountain whitefish

Accessible trout water through the Lochsa corridor

The Lochsa is one of north-central Idaho’s signature moving waters: a long, easily reached mountain river with a reputation for quality trout fishing. IDFG highlights it as a recommended fishing water and notes good access along the corridor, making it attractive to both experienced anglers and newcomers. Expect classic freestone conditions, with spring runoff driving high water and the most consistent fishing settling in after flows drop. Westslope cutthroat are the headline fish, with rainbow trout influence and mountain whitefish adding variety; bull trout are present and should be treated as a protected incidental catch where encountered. Wading and presentation can get technical at higher flows, but summer through fall generally offers the most approachable conditions.

Sources: idfg.idaho.gov · houseoffly.com
Lochsa River on the water

Best Season

Summer into fall, after spring runoff recedes

River Type

Road-accessible freestone river

Skill Level

Intermediate; approachable for novices in lower, summer flows

Best Techniques

Dry-dropper rigs, stonefly and caddis patterns, attractor dries, nymphing through pocket water and seams

Access

Very good roadside access with campgrounds, toilets, and some ADA access noted by IDFG

Gauge stations along the Lochsa River

Access

Fish in Lochsa River

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

Hatches on Lochsa River

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

Regulations

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

View IDFG Regulations

Guides & Outfitters

Recent conditions on Lochsa River

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

Videos on Lochsa River

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

Photos

Helpful Links

IDFG Fishing Planner: Lochsa RiverIDFG Seasons and Rules

Nearby Communities

  • Powell Junction26.5 mi
  • Musselshell28.8 mi

On this page

OverviewMigration
Flows
Live camerasAccessFishHatchesRegulationsGuides & OutfittersVideosPhotosHelpful LinksNearby Communities

River Tools

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Map data © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

Fish in Lochsa River

The Lochsa 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.

  • Bull Trout
    Bull TroutIdaho’s native char: a coldwater apex predator that is protected and must be released.
  • Mountain Whitefish
    Mountain WhitefishA native coldwater scrapper that shines on nymphs when trout fishing slows down.
  • Rainbow Trout
    Rainbow TroutIdaho’s most widespread trout, quick to rise and willing to chase nymphs and small streamers.
  • Westslope Cutthroat Trout
    Westslope Cutthroat TroutIdaho’s native westslope cutthroat thrives in cold, clear mountain rivers and eager dry-fly water.

Migration · Lochsa River

Steelhead and salmon counted at Lower Granite Dam, the last dam below Idaho, and how this year's run compares with the last ten.

Recent conditions on Lochsa River

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

Lochsa River

October 15, 2026

Clear water at low fall flows keeps the Lochsa fishing well if you target trout in deeper, structured water. Small mayflies and caddis may rise, but subsurface nymphs and streamers are your best bet.

All Lochsa River fishing reports

Guides & Outfitters

Fishing guides, outfitters, shuttles, and shops that operate on the Lochsa River.

Guides & Outfitters

View all

Row INC · Outfitter · Coeur D Alene, ID

ROW Adventures offers guided fishing and adventure tours in Idaho, specializing in rafting, biking, and hiking.

SummerSmall groupsAll levels
Salmon RiverSnake River, Hells Canyon…Saint Joe River+2

Three Rivers Rafting LLC · Outfitter · Kooskia, ID

Three Rivers Rafting offers guided rafting and fishing trips in Idaho's wild rivers, focusing on safety and conservation.

May & JuneN/AAll levels
Lochsa RiverSelway RiverSnake River, Lower Salmon…

Migration · Lochsa River

Steelhead and salmon counted at Lower Granite Dam, the last dam below Idaho, and how this year's run compares with the last ten.

Counts through Sat, Oct 17 · yesterday

Lower Granite is the last dam below Idaho. Fish counted there are headed for the Snake, Clearwater and Salmon systems. Fish bound for the Clearwater leave the Snake at Lewiston, just above the dam.

Steelhead

Steelhead · Lower Granite Dam

Well below typical

The run is tapering off

Counted Oct 17

250

7-day average

303

Percentile for the date

0th

This run so far

25,959

Passage over the last three days is well below typical for mid-October (0th percentile).

25,959 steelhead have passed Lower Granite since June 16. In a typical year about 77 percent of the run is through by October 17, and passage peaks around October 4.

On pace for roughly 32,000 to 36,000 fish, against a typical 71,000.

Wild fish: 5,568 so far, about 74 percent of a typical wild run.

Passage over time
1,7250Sep 18: 857, typical 717Sep 19: 681, typical 758Sep 20: 721, typical 848Sep 21: 596, typical 874Sep 22: 614, typical 957Sep 23: 1,022, typical 1,001Sep 24: 692, typical 1,080Sep 25: 518, typical 1,226Sep 26: 1,291, typical 1,307Sep 27: 714, typical 1,426Sep 28: 773, typical 1,513Sep 29: 837, typical 1,575Sep 30: 1,515, typical 1,627Oct 1: 894, typical 1,693Oct 2: 784, typical 1,692Oct 3: 686, typical 1,716Oct 4: 544, typical 1,725Oct 5: 525, typical 1,650Oct 6: 482, typical 1,623Oct 7: 555, typical 1,553Oct 8: 514, typical 1,521Oct 9: 443, typical 1,533Oct 10: 713, typical 1,515Oct 11: 381, typical 1,510Oct 12: 207, typical 1,463Oct 13: 316, typical 1,377Oct 14: 399, typical 1,307Oct 15: 291, typical 1,234Oct 16: 276, typical 1,167Oct 17: 250, typical 1,050Sep 18Oct 3Oct 17

Bars are the day's count at Lower Granite through Oct 17. The dashed line is what the date usually brings, the ten-year median.

  • Spring chinook: over for the year, 28,119 passed Lower Granite against a typical 37,000.Season over

When they reach this water

Antennas in the water read tagged fish as they swim past. A best guess is our estimate of the peak; fish seen are dates real fish were actually recorded. Each spot below says whether it sits on this river or on a tributary.

No arrival timing for the Lochsa River yet: no PIT-tag array reads this stretch, so the run status above is Lower Granite Dam's.

Arrival timing from PIT-tag detections via PTAGIS and Columbia River DART; tagged fish are a sample of the run, never a count.

Counts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers via Columbia River DART.

Videos on Lochsa River

These 5 YouTube videos have been hand-curated by our team because we feel they best represent the Lochsa River fishery. Each pick highlights river character, access, and techniques worth knowing before you fish this Idaho water.

Tons of Cutthroat on the Lochsa River, Idaho

Chance Stack

Aug 25, 2024

Fly Fishing Van Trip for Fall Steelhead in Idaho

Phelps on the Fly

Feb 20, 2024

Lochsa river Idaho a few cutthroat trout #wildcutthroattrout #catchandrelease

cascade fly fisher

Oct 24, 2021

Fly Fish Lochsa River Idaho

Gerry Crow (NH River Guide)

Aug 20, 2018

Lochsa River

B Spores

Aug 23, 2016

Hatches on Lochsa River

The Lochsa River has 13 documented insect hatches across spring, summer, fall, and winter. Review seasonal timing and recommended fly patterns to plan productive days on this Idaho water.

Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
March Brown
Sculpin
Blue-winged Olive
Salmonfly
Caddis
Golden Stonefly
Green Drake
Pale Morning Dun
Yellow Sally
Ant
Beetle
Grasshopper
October Caddis
PeakActiveSelect a dot for timing and patterns, or a month to focus it.

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Access

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