Regions of Idaho

 The Panhandle of Idaho boasts three of Idaho’s big lakes and fish-filled rivers. These northern waters are home to coldwater native fish like Westslope cutthroat and bull trout, as well as tiger muskie, lake trout, kokanee, chinook, and bass. Eight of Idaho’s 11 big game animals can be found in North Idaho – white-tailed and mule deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, black bear, mountain lion, and wolves. The area is an outdoor enthusiasts playground. 

 The Clearwater region is home to the largest wilderness and primitive areas in the lower 48 states. These areas are accessible only by foot, boat, or horseback and challenge even the most experienced hunters and anglers. Chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon are native to the Clearwater, Snake, and Salmon rivers. 

 The Southwest region boasts a wide diversity of wildlife and wildlife habitats. The region encompasses river canyons, sagebrush deserts, high mountain lakes, and mountainous forests. Regional waters include warmwater fisheries for bass, bluegill, yellow perch, crappie, channel catfish and white sturgeon, while coldwater fisheries boast some of the finest trout, kokanee, steelhead and Chinook salmon fishing in the state.  

 The Magic Valley stretches across the Snake River Plain up into the Sawtooth Mountains. Ten of Idaho’s eleven big game animals are found in this area. Anglers can fish year-round with the Snake River’s warmwater fisheries and coldwater fisheries found in many mountain streams, including the famed Silver Creek. 

 The Southeast region of Idaho encompasses vast stretches of sagebrush desert and forests and the waters of Bear Lake. Eight of Idaho’s ten big game animals can be found in southeast Idaho. Several large reservoirs provide abundant warmwater and coldwater fisheries. Cisco in Bear Lake create a one-of-a-kind ice fishery in this region. 

 This region is the western gateway to Yellowstone National Park and Teton National Parks. Consequently, the region hosts ten of Idaho’s eleven big game animals and diverse list of fish found in little known and famed waters, such as the Henrys Fork and South Fork of the Snake rivers. Bird hunters enjoy sharp-tailed grouse, sage-grouse, gray partridge, and plentiful waterfowl hunting. 

 The Salmon area is home to the Salmon River, one of the few undammed waterways left in America. The river and its forks serve as the only pathways into the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness area, the largest single federally designated wilderness in the lower 48. Steelhead and salmon start and end their 900-mile journey to the ocean in this region of Idaho. Nine of Idaho’s big game animals roam the valleys and mountains in this area.