The Clearwater River forms with the confluence of the Lochsa and Selway Rivers, both running out of wilderness with excellent water quality. It’s a unique river system that hosts steelhead and salmon on their long journeys from the Pacific Ocean to spawn. The river is not known for whitewater but it makes for a great day float. Anglers float it frequently and many locals tube the river during the summer months.

Clearwater River Flows

Clearwater River Fishing and Regulations

Steelhead and Chinook Salmon are the primary fish being targeted in the river. You will also find cutthroat trout and whitefish. You can only target steelhead and salmon when a season is open for each species.

The river is open to fishing all year but random closures do happen depending on the runs. The fish are threatened and they cut things off early some years. You can keep 6 trout daily from the mouth to the Orofino Bridge but only those with clipped adipose fins. No cutthroats are allowed.

Signs show where you can’t fish at the Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery Ladder and the Dworshak National Fish Hatchery. From Orofino upstream to the confluence, you can keep 6 adipose clipped trout as well. Read the full regulations here.

Anglers fish from boats but shore fishing is also great on this river. Spey anglers can swing for sea run fish in the entire system. In years with strong runs, the seasons will extend and offer a full fall and winter of opportunity to chase steelhead and salmon.

Rafting the Clearwater River

You can float the entire river system with relative ease. It’s a class II and many people launch on the Middle Fork in Kooskia and float the 24 mile run to the South Fork confluence that forms the main stem. You will find several class II rapids on this section. The main stem has obvious launch points spaced out ever 5-12 miles. It’s not difficult whitewater by any means but hazards do exist. Many anglers fish from boats throughout the winter months when anadromous fish are running.

The Guide Shop in Orofino runs shuttles on the river. Give them a call at 208-476-3531 for more information. They also run guided fishing trips.

Planning a Clearwater River float or fishing trip in Idaho is pretty easy. Access is great and launching a boat is straightforward. If you’re looking for something mellow in a raft or exciting with a fishing rod, it’s a great place to visit.