Deadwood River

About Deadwood River

The Deadwood River, a 43.5-mile tributary of the South Fork Payette River, flows through Idaho's Valley and Boise counties. It joins the South Fork about three miles west of Lowman. While born from the Deadwood Reservoir, formed by the 1931 Deadwood Dam, the river primarily fishes like a freestone stream. The main fishing access is along a four-mile stretch of Deadwood River Road, which follows the river. This road closes annually from December until April 15th. A campground is available, and there is ADA access. Upstream of the accessible road section, the river flows through a road-less canyon. When fishing the Deadwood, pay close attention to water clarity and structure. Trout here seek the illusion of safety in dark green water; avoid gin-clear sections as fish won't hold there. Focus your efforts on the inside curves of the river, which allow you to effectively fish the entire run. The Deadwood River is home to recommended game fish like Cutthroat, Rainbow, and Redband Trout. Other species observed in the river include Bull Trout, Mountain Whitefish, and Kokanee. Rainbow Trout were stocked in 1975 and 1976, and Kokanee fingerlings have been stocked in recent years. The river doesn't see a lot of insect hatches, which simplifies dry fly fishing. The key to success is keeping your dry fly floating high on the surface. For regulations, the trout limit is two, and the Kokanee limit is six. Before heading out, check USGS real-time flow data for current conditions.