What special fishing regulations apply at Lower Granite Dam tailwater?

Lower Granite Dam tailwater carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Idaho's statewide 2026 rules, covering Chinook salmon. One of them reads: "Steelhead 3 / day + Steelhead Permit required + IDFG annual season September – April (densest steelhead fishing in Idaho); chinook salmon 2 / day + Salmon Permit required + IDFG annual season May – August (upstream blockade for anadromous-fish monitoring + counting station); Lewiston ID is the head of slack water + the upstream limit of barge navigation from the Pacific via the Columbia + Snake River system." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Lower Granite Dam tailwater?

Yes. Lower Granite Dam tailwater is in Idaho, so a valid Idaho fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Lower Granite Dam tailwater; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Idaho rules.

Do Lower Granite Dam tailwater's special rules replace Idaho's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Idaho's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lower Granite Dam tailwater by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Lower Granite Dam tailwater?

Chinook salmon has a water-body-specific rule on Lower Granite Dam tailwater, each linking to its full Idaho regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Idaho limits.

2026 regulation year

Lower Granite Dam tailwater 2026 — Idaho Fishing Regulations

Idaho statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 4, 2026

Lower Granite Dam tailwater carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Idaho's 2026 fishing rules — covering Chinook salmon. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Steelhead 3 / day + Steelhead Permit required + IDFG annual season September – April (densest steelhead fishing in Idaho); chinook salmon 2 / day + Salmon Permit required + IDFG annual season May – August (upstream blockade for anadromous-fish monitoring + counting station); Lewiston ID is the head of slack water + the upstream limit of barge navigation from the Pacific via the Columbia + Snake River system
Source: Idaho special-water list

Per-species rules on Lower Granite Dam tailwater

Chinook salmon regulations →
2 / day + Salmon Permit; upstream blockade for anadromous-fish monitoring + counting station

Official source

Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) publishes the authoritative 2026 Idaho fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Idaho fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Idaho Department of Fish and Game's emergency-order feed — check it before any Idaho trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Idaho

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Lower Granite Dam tailwater?: Lower Granite Dam tailwater carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Idaho's statewide 2026 rules, covering Chinook salmon. One of them reads: "Steelhead 3 / day + Steelhead Permit required + IDFG annual season September – April (densest steelhead fishing in Idaho); chinook salmon 2 / day + Salmon Permit required + IDFG annual season May – August (upstream blockade for anadromous-fish monitoring + counting station); Lewiston ID is the head of slack water + the upstream limit of barge navigation from the Pacific via the Columbia + Snake River system." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Lower Granite Dam tailwater?: Yes. Lower Granite Dam tailwater is in Idaho, so a valid Idaho fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Lower Granite Dam tailwater; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Idaho rules.
Do Lower Granite Dam tailwater's special rules replace Idaho's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Idaho's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Lower Granite Dam tailwater by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Lower Granite Dam tailwater?: Chinook salmon has a water-body-specific rule on Lower Granite Dam tailwater, each linking to its full Idaho regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Idaho limits.

← Back to Idaho regulations overview