Hunting, Fishing and Shooting

Hunting, fishing and shooting opportunities are available on all districts of the Sawtooth National Forest.

Lake and Pond Fishing

Nearly 7,600 acres of lakes on the Sawtooth National Forest offer a variety of angling opportunities. The high, cold, streams and lakes within the Sawtooth Valley have resident redband and cutthroat trout and kokanee. In the backcountry, some of the lakes within the Sawtooth, White Cloud, Smoky, Pioneer, and Boulder Mountains are also stocked by Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Please contact Idaho Department of Fish and Game for the latest fishing regulations.

River and Stream Fishing

Over 3,500 miles of perennial streams offer a variety of angling opportunities. The best early season fishing is in the southern forest, where rainbow and brook trout can be found in small mountain streams. The Big Wood River and its tributaries, the North Fork Wood River, Trail Creek, and Warm Springs Creek, are stocked with hatchery rainbow trout by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and offer good fishing after spring runoff. Big and Little Smoky Creeks and the South Fork Boise River are stocked with native redband trout. Please contact Idaho Department of Fish and Game for the latest fishing regulations.

Hunting

The Sawtooth National Forest encompasses lands in Idaho Game Management Units 35, 36, 36A, 36B, 43, 44, 48, 49, 50, 54, 55, 56, and 57. Please contact Idaho Department of Fish and Game for more information and the latest hunting regulations.

Recreational and Target Shooting

Recreational shooting is allowed on National Forest System lands outside of developed campgrounds and away from roads. Refer to the Occupancy and Use orders on the Alerts page for further restrictions.