Blackfoot River

About Blackfoot River

The Blackfoot River in Idaho offers a varied trout fishing experience, changing character as it flows from the Caribou-Targhee National Forest down through the Blackfoot Reservoir and into the desert canyon country. Upstream, expect a mountain stream feel. Downstream of the reservoir, the flow can be inconsistent, sometimes dropping to zero, so always check conditions. The lower sections are marked by basalt flows and eventually transition into a desert canyon with sagebrush and juniper lining the banks. Access is diverse, with developed BLM campgrounds like Trail Creek Bridge, Morgan's Bridge, Graves Creek, Cutthroat Trout, and Sagehen Flats providing good starting points. The 23-mile stretch from Government Dam to Trail Creek Bridge is floatable for canoes, kayaks, or small rafts, with undeveloped put-ins and take-outs for those who prefer to explore by boat. Visually, look for deeper pools, riffle edges, and undercut banks, especially in the canyon sections where trout will hold. This river is a solid producer of Rainbow Trout, consistently stocked throughout the season, with good numbers of 12-14 inch fish appearing in the fall. You'll also find wild Cutthroat Trout, particularly in the upper reaches, and plentiful Mountain Whitefish throughout the system. Insect activity is strong. Blue Wing Olives and Caddisflies are common hatches that provide consistent opportunities. When fishing the Blackfoot, nymphing is your go-to technique. Beadhead nymphs like the Prince Nymph or Hare's Ear in sizes 12-16 are effective, especially in deeper water and along those undercut banks. During Caddis hatches, try a dry fly like an Elk Hair Caddis or a subsurface pupa imitation. For Blue Wing Olive hatches, small parachute flies in sizes 18-22 will do the trick. Focus your efforts from mid-morning through the afternoon when hatches are most active. Wading is a primary method here, so be prepared to cover water effectively from the bank. Be aware of river flow downstream of the reservoir; it can change.