The Salmon River is widely known for its incredible fishing opportunities, boasting some of the best freshwater fishing spots in the world—from salmon to trout to steelhead, it’s every fisherman’s paradise. Whether you’re heading out on the river for a day or three, the key to a successful fishing trip is doing the proper planning and preparation in advance to ensure a stress-free trip for everyone involved. This guide will help get you prepared for your upcoming fishing trip on the Salmon River, taking you through what to expect from your trip, what you should pack, and how to get your fishing license & steelhead tag.
Best Salmon River Fishing Trips
With such a wide array of opportunities for incredible fishing, the Salmon River is home to many different fishing trips and tour companies—so how are you supposed to decide which one is best for you?
Here at Whitewater Expeditions, we charter two different fishing trips: a 1-day trip that takes you through about 25 miles of river leaving from Vinegar Creek, and a 3-day trip that traverses nearly 50 miles of the Frank Church Wilderness. Both trips are spectacular opportunities to take advantage of Idaho’s premier Steelhead fishing river, offering unique adventures, experienced and knowledgeable guides, and plenty of chances to make a catch.
Throughout this blog post, we’ll be telling you how to prepare for each of the different trips in the hopes that, by the end, you’ll know which one is the right option for you and your group.
If you’re looking for a multi-day scenic tour of the Salmon rather than a fishing trip, check out our Overnight Salmon River Jet Boat Tours instead. For families with younger kids, we’d recommend also considering our Summer Family Fun Trip for a unique experience that you’ll look back on for years to come.
Preparing for Your Fishing Trip on the Salmon River
What to Expect
First off, it’s important that you know exactly what to expect from the trip you’re about to embark on; this way, your group is able to appropriately prepare and set expectations for what you’ll be experiencing together.
Our 1-day fishing trip leaves from the Vinegar Creek boat ramp, and you’ll end up boating and fishing approximately 25 miles of the river by the end of the day. Perfect for small groups of up to 5 people, you’ll have a completely private boat and a fishing guide who you can chat with, learn from, and ask for help as you fish. No other groups will be on the boat with you, so you can enjoy the entire experience on your own. This trip is great for groups who want an unplugged, unparalleled adventure through the Frank Church Wilderness, but want to be back home (or at their lodging) by the end of the day—trips begin at 9am and typically end back at the boat ramp around 5pm. It’s more of an introduction to the Salmon River than an in-depth journey into the wilderness; we often have groups coming back for more after going on this trip and wanting to spend more time in the natural beauty the Salmon has to offer.
Included in this trip is:
- A private jet boat reserved exclusively for your group (max 5 people)
- A fishing guide with an abundance of local expertise
- Fishing rods and steelhead gear
- Access to the Salmon River above Vinegar Creek
Our 3-day fishing trip is a much more extensive, in-depth expedition into the Frank Church Wilderness, leaving also from Vinegar Creek but not coming back for a few days. Instead of exploring 25 miles of the wilderness, you’ll be guided through at least 50 miles, where you’ll spend a full 3 days fishing and 2 nights at a backcountry ranch on the river. The extended trip length allows for significantly more time to take advantage of Idaho’s scenic wilderness, with plenty of time to explore the River of No Return and immerse yourself in an unplugged adventure.
With this trip, you’ll receive all the same things as the 1-day trip—plus a couple of additional bonuses that make it an all-inclusive experience:
- 3 full days of fishing on a private jet boat (max 6 people)
- Meals and lodging for 2 nights at a backcountry ranch
Airfare
This will typically be more applicable to groups coming to Riggins for a multi-day fishing trip—but anytime you are flying into Idaho to visit the Salmon River, you’ll want to fly into Boise and make the approximately 3-hour drive north to Riggins.
Lodging
No matter which trip you opt for, lodging the night before the trip begins will be your own responsibility. Salmon Rapids Lodge is the best option that we’d recommend, but below are a few additional lodging options in Riggins that would be great for the night before your trip.
—The Building on the River: Cozy riverside vacation rentals owned by our friends.
—The House on Main St.: A spacious home in the heart of Riggins, great for larger groups.
—Salmon River Dome: Our own off-grid glamping dome on the Salmon, ideal for couples.
—Riverview Bunkhouse: The perfect place to relax with your family, within walking distance to town.
—Riverfront Getaway: A charming home right on the water with scenic views.
Our 3-day fishing trip includes 2 nights of lodging at a guest ranch up river, along with 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, and 2 lunches. Bedding and towels will be provided, so no need to worry about bringing your own unless you need them for your stay the night before your trip.
If your group is looking for fun ways to spend the rest of your time in Riggins, don’t miss our guide to the 8 Best Things to do in Riggins, Idaho.
What to Bring
Packing the proper gear and equipment is one of the most essential aspects of a successful fishing trip; fortunately, we provide all the fishing gear you will need, and it is only up to you to bring other items you may need.
Here’s what you should bring along with you no matter which trip you will be going on:
- Lunch and snacks: For the 1-day trip, you need to bring your own lunch. For the 3-day trip, you need to bring lunch for the first day, but it will be provided for days 2 and 3. You should also bring any snacks you would like.
- Any drinks you’d like: Alcohol is allowed, but the lodge you’ll stay at for the 3-day trip does not provide any.
- Warm clothes and layers: The boat cab is heated, but it gets cold on the river during the spring and fall. Keep in mind that October is warmer than November. Layers will be your best friend, and so will hand warmers.
- Fish cooler: If you want to keep any of your fish, then you need to bring a cooler to take them home in. This cooler does not need to go on the boat—it will stay in your own vehicle.
- Specialized fishing gear: Again, we provide all the necessary fishing gear and bait, but you are welcome to bring any other fishing gear you would like to use.
- Outdoor protection, such as sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, and insect repellent
For the 3-day trip, you will also need to bring an overnight bag. Be mindful of the limited space available on the boat; overnight bags should be kept to a weight of 30 pounds or less.
Getting Your Fishing License & Steelhead Permit
Finally, any time you go fishing on the Salmon River you will need an Idaho fishing license (unless you are under 14 years of age), as well as a Steelhead fishing permit if applicable. License fees are cheaper for Idaho residents, starting at $30.50 for a Resident Adult Fishing License. You might also consider getting the Sportsman’s Package for $144.60, which comes with a Resident Adult Combination License, plus tags for wildlife such as salmon and steelhead. On its own, a Resident Adult Salmon or Steelhead Permit costs $15.25.
To learn more about Idaho fishing licenses, tags, and permits, visit the Idaho Fish and Game website. For more information about how to steelhead fish on the Salmon River, head to our complete Steelhead Fishing Guide.
Booking Your Salmon River Fishing Trip
Whether you know now which Salmon River fishing trip is right for you and are ready to book your 1-day or 3-day trip, or you’d like some insight and recommendations from people who know this wilderness best, you can reach out to us via our website.
