The Salmon River is known for its incredible fishing opportunities, boasting some of the best fishing spots in Idaho—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 proper planning and preparation. 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

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 help you prepare for each of the different trips we offer.

Preparing for Your Fishing Trip on the Salmon River

1-day Fishing Trip

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 groups between 5-10 people. No other groups will be on the boat with you, so you can enjoy the entire experience on your own. Trips begin at 9am and typically end back at the boat ramp around 5pm. Included in this trip is:

  • A private jet boat reserved exclusively for your group
  • A fishing guide with an abundance of local expertise
  • Fishing rods and steelhead gear
  • Access to the Salmon River above Vinegar Creek

What to bring for a 1-day trip

  • Lunch and snacks: You will need to bring lunch and snacks. The boat has a small ‘grill’ where food can be heated up. Some easy to heat food ideas are frittata, Philly Cheesesteak, donuts, and burritos. The boat also has a small table.
  • Drinks: You’ll need to bring any and all drinks with you. Alcohol is allowed.
  • 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, as we have an onboard fish cooler.
  • 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.

3-day Fishing Trip

Our 3-day fishing trip is a much more extensive, in-depth expedition into the Frank Church Wilderness. This trip has a max group size of 6 people. On this trip you’ll be guided through 40 miles of river, where you’ll spend a full 3 days fishing and 2 nights at a backcountry ranch. 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
  • Meals and lodging for 2 nights at a backcountry ranch
  • Bedding and towels are provided

What to bring for a 3-day trip

  • Lunch and snacks: For day 1, you need to bring your own lunch. Lunch is provided for days 2 and 3. You should also bring any snacks you would like. The boat has a small ‘grill’ where food can be heated up. Some easy to heat food ideas are frittata, Philly Cheesesteak, donuts, and burritos. The boat also has a small table.
  • Any drinks you’d like: You’ll need to bring any and all drinks with you. Alcohol is allowed.
  • 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.
  • Overnight bag: Overnight bags should be kept to a weight of 30 pounds or less. No hardshell luggage, as they can’t be stored under the boats seats.
  • 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, as we have an onboard fish cooler.
  • 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.

Lodging and Airfare

No matter which trip you opt for, lodging the night before the trip begins will be your responsibility. Salmon Rapids Lodge is the first option that we recommend, because it easily lodges larger groups of people. Below are a few additional lodging options in Riggins that would be great for the night before your trip.

Airfare will be more applicable to groups coming to Riggins for a multi-day fishing trip—but you’ll want to fly into Boise and make the approximately 3-hour drive north to Riggins. Renting an AWD vehicle is recommended. The road to the boat ramp is best driven in a good clearance vehicle.

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

Getting Your Fishing License & Steelhead Permit

To go steelhead fishing you will need to purchase an Idaho Fishing License and Steelhead Permit (unless you are under 14 years of age). A Resident Adult Fishing License is $30.50 and a Resident Adult Steelhead Permit is $15.25. Non-resident license and permit cost depends on how many days you purchase. You can purchase your licence and steelhead permit at most sporting good stores or online at the Idaho Fish and Game website. The Riggins Whitewater Market in Riggins, Idaho sells licenses and tags.

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.

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