It’s a fishing day

South Fork Snake River (Heise) fishing conditions · Idaho

Now until 5 amCutthroat trout

The bite peaks at 84. Wind builds to 24 mph out of the south-southwest by tonight at 11:00 pm.

Log a trip here
Right now: 84 for cutthroat trout, worth the trip · inside the best windowTap 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. 841 am
  2. 84
  3. 84
  4. 844 am
  5. 74
  6. 74
  7. 747 am
  8. 66
  9. 66
  10. 6610 am
  11. 74
  12. 74
  13. 741 pm
  14. 74
  15. 74
  16. 744 pm
  17. 74
  18. 71
  19. 717 pm
  20. 63
  21. 41
  22. 4110 pm
  23. 48
  24. 51Tue
  25. 311 am
  26. 31
  27. 31
  28. 314 am
  29. 31
  30. 31
  31. 317 am
  32. 31
  33. 31
  34. 3110 am
  35. 31
  36. 66
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now · best window

Water
No reading

Cutthroat trout range 39–62°

Wind
9 mph

From the east-southeast

Flow
2,020 cfs

steady · +0% in 24 h

Light
Dark

Sunrise 7:54 am

Sky
Patchy Fog

1% chance of rain

Air
43°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Falling

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
100% lit

Full

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

84Worth the tripNow until 5 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. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 1–25 ft down.

Keep

6 a day

Catch and release only today. Idaho general rules: 6 trout a day in rivers and streams, all species combined (2 in the Clearwater Region; only 2 of the 6 may be cutthroat in Magic Valley and Southeast region streams). Possession is 3 times the daily limit; open all year unless a special rule says otherwise.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Idaho non-tidal

Season here: Sep–Jun. More on cutthroat trout

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

84Worth the tripNow until 5 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. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 3–20 ft down.

Keep

6 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Idaho general rules: 6 trout a day in rivers and streams, all species combined (2 in the Clearwater Region; only 2 of the 6 may be cutthroat in Magic Valley and Southeast region streams). Possession is 3 times the daily limit; open all year unless a special rule says otherwise.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Idaho non-tidal

More on rainbow trout

Brown Trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

76Worth the tripNow until 5 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. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

6 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Idaho general rules: 6 trout a day in rivers and streams, all species combined (2 in the Clearwater Region; only 2 of the 6 may be cutthroat in Magic Valley and Southeast region streams). Possession is 3 times the daily limit; open all year unless a special rule says otherwise.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Idaho non-tidal

More on brown trout

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • River2,020 cfs · steady · +0% in 24 h
  • Barometer30.19 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunrise today7:54 am
  • Sunset today6:26 pm
  • MoonFull, 100% lit
  • Major solunarToday 12:10 am–2:10 am
  • Minor solunarToday 8:10 am–9:10 am
  • Major solunarToday 12:30 pm–2:30 pm

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 tomorrow 1 am–1 pm
74Worth the trip
Madison River88 mi · MontanaBest now until 12 pmDense Fog Advisory
55Marginal
Silver Creek125 mi · IdahoBest now until tomorrow 1 pm
74Worth the trip
Yellowstone River at Livingston147 mi · MontanaBest today 3 am–4 am
88Go

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.