It’s a fishing day

South Fork Snake River (Heise) fishing conditions · Idaho

Tonight 7 pm to Monday 2 amCutthroat trout

The bite peaks at 76.

Log a trip here
Right now: 76 for cutthroat trout, worth the tripTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Cutthroat trout, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 762 pm
  2. 76
  3. 76
  4. 745 pm
  5. 64
  6. 74
  7. 748 pm
  8. 74
  9. 74
  10. 7411 pm
  11. 74Sun
  12. 74
  13. 742 am
  14. 74
  15. 74
  16. 745 am
  17. 74
  18. 74
  19. 748 am
  20. 74
  21. 74
  22. 7411 am
  23. 74
  24. 74
  25. 742 pm
  26. 74
  27. 74
  28. 745 pm
  29. 74
  30. 74
  31. 748 pm
  32. 74
  33. 74
  34. 7411 pm
  35. 74Mon
  36. 74
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now

Water
No reading

Cutthroat trout range 39–62°

Wind
3 mph

From the west-northwest

Flow
1,560 cfs

steady · -1% in 24 h

Light
Daylight

Sunset 5:10 pm

Sky
Sunny

No rain expected

Air
52°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Falling

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
5% lit

Waning crescent

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Idaho non-tidal regulations for these waters.

Cutthroat Trout

Cutthroat trout

Oncorhynchus clarkii

76Worth the tripTonight 7 pm to Monday 2 am

Water

No water reading here right now. Cutthroat trout bite in 39–62° water, best near 54°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 1–25 ft down.

Keep

no harvest

Catch and release only today. No harvest of cutthroat trout: every cutthroat must be released. Browns 2 a day; no limit on rainbows or hybrids.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · South Fork Snake River

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Sep–Jun. More on cutthroat trout

Brown Trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

76Worth the tripTonight 7 pm to Monday 2 am

Water

No water reading here right now. Brown trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

2 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. 2 brown trout a day. Cutthroat must be released; no limit on rainbows or hybrids.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · South Fork Snake River

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

More on brown trout

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

76Worth the tripTonight 7 pm to Monday 2 am

Water

No water reading here right now. Rainbow trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

no daily limit

Open. Keep fish within the limits. No limit on rainbow trout or rainbow–cutthroat hybrids. Cutthroat must be released; browns 2 a day.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · South Fork Snake River

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

More on rainbow trout

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • River1,560 cfs · steady · -1% in 24 h
  • Barometer30.35 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today5:10 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow7:11 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Minor solunarToday 3:40 pm–4:40 pm
  • Major solunarTonight 10:20 pm–12:20 am
  • Minor solunarTomorrow 6:30 am–7:30 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Idaho Fish & Game has the state’s fishing pages.

Licenses and rules: Idaho Fish & Game · trout stocking · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

The cottonwood-lined tailwater below Palisades Dam — the most important wild Yellowstone cutthroat fishery in the West, and one of the great float trips in trout fishing. Cutthroat, brown, and rainbow trout fill the canyon and braided sections; the salmonfly hatch in late June draws anglers from across the country.

Open all year. Every cutthroat must be released, browns are 2 a day, and there is no limit on rainbows or rainbow–cutthroat hybrids.

Nearby

The closest public spots we cover, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Henry’s Fork (Island Park)57 mi · IdahoBest now until 6 pm
76Worth the trip
Madison River88 mi · MontanaBest now until 6 pm
90Go
Beaverhead River121 mi · MontanaRainbow trout, best today 5 pm–6 pm
78Worth the trip
Silver Creek125 mi · IdahoBest now until 6 pm
84Worth the trip

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at South Fork Snake River (Heise)?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at South Fork Snake River (Heise) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at South Fork Snake River (Heise)?

South Fork Snake River (Heise) is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Cutthroat Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at South Fork Snake River (Heise)?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at South Fork Snake River (Heise) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does South Fork Snake River (Heise) have?

South Fork Snake River (Heise) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Open all year. Every cutthroat must be released, browns are 2 a day, and there is no limit on rainbows or rainbow–cutthroat hybrids.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at South Fork Snake River (Heise)?

state agency regulations apply at South Fork Snake River (Heise). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is South Fork Snake River (Heise) tidal water?

No. South Fork Snake River (Heise) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.