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River guide · Idaho

Fly Fishing the Coeur d'Alene River

A productive freestone stream cutting through Idaho's historic Silver Valley, the South Fork Coeur d'Alene holds westslope cutthroat, rainbow, brown, and brook trout amid a rich stonefly-and-caddis hatch cycle. Recent conservation work has strengthened fish populations, with cutthroat reaching 20 inches in remote feeder streams.

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When to fish

Late May through September

Best months: May–September

  • Best
  • Off-peak
Today's conditions

Where to fish

Mullan to Pinehurst

US-10 / I-90 follows the South Fork corridor through the Silver Valley from Mullan to Pinehurst, with Forest Service campgrounds and roadside pullouts providing wading access throughout. The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes runs 71 miles alongside the lower river; upstream of Yellow Dog Creek, artificial lures and barbless hooks are required.

The water

Freestone

Key hatches

  • Skwala Stonefly
  • Little Black Caddis
  • Golden Stonefly / Salmonfly
  • Pale Morning Dun
  • Grasshoppers and terrestrials
Hatch calendar

Conditions

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6-day forecast

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Forecast from the National Weather Service ↗

Key hatches

  • Skwala Stonefly — mid-March through April
  • Little Black Caddis — May through June
  • Golden Stonefly / Salmonfly — June through July
  • Pale Morning Dun — June through September
  • Grasshoppers and terrestrials — July through September
  • October Caddis — September through October

Fly shops near the Coeur d'Alene River

Shops and guides that fish the Coeur d'Alene River. See all 36 Idaho shops →

5 fly shops shown · 1 farther away in the listCoeur d'Alene River at Enaville

Species on this water

TroutBassBonefishCarpMuskyPanfishPikeRedfishSalmonSaltwaterSteelheadStriperTarpon

Nearby towns

EnavilleCoeur d'AleneMead

Rivers nearby

Spokane RiverClearwater RiverHenry's ForkClark Fork River
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Coeur d'Alene River

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Gear up on the Coeur d'Alene River

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The flies that work on the Coeur d'Alene River

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