Big western rivers (wade fishing)
9′ rod, 5–6 weight, floating line · Rainbow and brown trout, whitefish
Open checklist
Island Park & the Henry's Fork
Island Park lies on the Henry's Fork of the Snake River in eastern Idaho, between Henry's Lake and Ashton, about 20 miles south-west of West Yellowstone and the park's west entrance.
- Idaho · West
- 6 waters
- 17 guides nearby
- 11 shops nearby
- WYS airport · 23 mi
Photo credit
The Henry's Fork at Last Chance, Island Park, Idaho. Photo: Z3lvs, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Waters around Island Park
About this
Tap a water for its live flow, access map, regulations and hatches.
Special-regulation trout waterPhoto credit
The Henry's Fork at Last Chance, Island Park, with the Centennial Mountains. Photo: Z3lvs, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Featured sport-fishing waterPhoto credit
Henrys Lake from Henrys Lake State Park, Idaho. Photo: James Postema, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Featured sport-fishing waterPhoto credit
The Teton River near Driggs, Idaho. Photo: Waldemarpaetz, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Special-regulation trout waterPhoto credit
The Fall River in autumn, Idaho. Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Among the state's most-fished waters (agency angler survey)Photo credit
The Madison River flowing out of Earthquake Lake, Custer Gallatin National Forest. Photo: USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Special-regulation trout waterPhoto credit
The South Fork of the Snake River, Idaho (BLM). Photo: Bob Wick / Bureau of Land Management, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Distances and official pages
The rivers, lakes or flats this hub is organised around, each with its straight-line distance from Island Park. Within 40 miles a water's own page names this hub as near; a farther one shows its distance instead. Where a nearby guide names a water on its own website, we say how many do. Access, seasons and special regulations differ by reach: check the agency pages under license and rules.
- Henry's Fork1 mi from Island Park in a straight line · named on 2 guide websites nearby
- Henry's Lake16 mi from Island Park in a straight line · named on 1 guide website nearby
- Teton River43 mi from Island Park in a straight line · named on 2 guide websites nearby
- Fall River25 mi from Island Park in a straight line
- Madison River59 mi from Island Park in a straight line · named on 7 guide websites nearby
- Snake River57 mi from Island Park in a straight line · named on 8 guide websites nearby
All gauge readings
The first USGS gauge on each water: the latest reading, how it compares with that gauge's record for today's date, the 24-hour trend and the NWS flood stage. Open a water for what the level means.
Reading the gauges around Island Park…
Meet local guides
About this
17 guide listings within 75 miles (15 fly-focused), fly-focused first. Unclaimed listings say so on their page: confirm licensing, rates and dates with the outfitter.
All Valley Anglers Outfitting Co.
Cameron, MT · 50 mi
Float trips · Wade trips · Madison & Ruby
- Unclaimed
Montana Fishing Guide School
Gallatin Gateway, MT · 58 mi
Wade trips · Drift boat · Madison & Gallatin
- Unclaimed
Fly shops nearby
About this
11 shop listings in the towns around Island Park, fly shops first. Confirm hours with the shop before you go.
Fish around Island Park
About this
Species the state agency lists on the waters here. A species listed for one water is not a promise for every water.
Rainbow trout
Listed on 5 waters here
Photo credit
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Brook trout
Listed on 5 waters here
Photo credit
Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Cutthroat trout
Listed on 5 waters here
Photo credit
Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii), photographed by James E. Johnson for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: James E. Johnson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Brown trout
Listed on 3 waters here
Photo credit
Brown trout (Salmo trutta), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service illustration. Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Arctic grayling
Listed on 1 water here
Photo credit
Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus), painting by Robert W. Hines for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Robert W. Hines, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Common carp
Listed on 1 water here
Photo credit
Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Agency species and seasons (14 waters)
Taken from the state agency pages of 14 waters around Island Park, each on its own water page with the agency link. Seasons are quoted word for word and apply to the water named.
- Rainbow Trout11 waters
- Brook Trout7 waters
- Mountain Whitefish6 waters
- Brown Trout5 waters
- Cutbow - Cutthroat x Rainbow Trout4 waters
- Cutthroat Trout4 waters
- Arctic Grayling2 waters
- Common Carp1 water
- Kokanee1 water
- Longnose Dace1 water
- Longnose Sucker1 water
- Mottled Sculpin1 water
- Mountain Sucker1 water
- Stonecat1 water
- Utah Chub1 water
- Westslope Cutthroat Trout1 water
And 3 more species on the water pages.
“All Waters Open All Year Except as modified in Special Rules”
South Fork of the Snake River · Idaho Department of Fish and Game, read 2026-10-14
“Henrys Fork (Snake River, North Fork) From the lower Harriman State Park boundary upstream to the upper Harriman State Park boundary (Harriman Ranch) June 15 through November 30 – trout – catch-and-release, fly fishing only, barbless hooks required”
Henry's Fork · Idaho Department of Fish and Game, read 2026-10-14
“Henrys Fork (Snake River, North Fork) From Henrys Lake Outlet upstream to the head of Big Springs Closed to fishing”
Henry's Fork · Idaho Department of Fish and Game, read 2026-10-14
“Henrys Lake Those portions of the lake within the posted boundaries of Staley Springs and within 100 yards of Hatchery Creek Closed to fishing”
Henry's Lake · Idaho Department of Fish and Game, read 2026-10-14
“Henrys Lake Remainder of Henrys Lake February 15 through Friday before Memorial Day Weekend – trout – catch-and-release, including Brook Trout.”
Henry's Lake · Idaho Department of Fish and Game, read 2026-10-14
Species guides mention (14)
Counted from the species each guide lists on its own site. This is what guides advertise, not an agency species list or a promise of what you will catch.
- Cutthroat trout8
- Rainbow trout7
- Brown trout6
- Brook trout3
- Mountain whitefish2
- Catfish1
- Chinook salmon1
- Coho salmon1
Things to know
Fishing license: Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Fees on the agency page.
Getting there
WYS Yellowstone Airport · 23 mi
Regulations and access
Seasons, limits and access: agency pages.
Official license and rules pages
Buy the license from the agency and read its current regulations before you go. These links are the authoritative pages; nothing on this page grants or implies access to any water, and fees are only shown when read from the agency page on a stated date.
Nothing here grants or implies access to any water.
Women-led and women’s trips
About this
Near Island Park & the Henry's Fork. From each business's own website, not checked by us. Plan around them in the trip planner.
- Montana Fishing Guide SchoolGuide · Gallatin Gateway · 58 miWomen's clinics: from their website, read oct 20, 2026
- Big Sky AnglersFly shop · West YellowstoneWomen's clinics: from their website, read oct 20, 2026
The Island Park & the Henry's Fork area
About this
The circle is the 75-mile area this page covers, around Island Park. Tap a water for its page. Shops and guides appear where they publish a street address on their own website; all of them are listed above.
Map of the Island Park & the Henry's Fork area: its waters, shops and guides
Map of Island Park & the Henry's Fork: the 75-mile area this page covers, its waters, and shops and guides with an exact address.
Restrooms near Island Park & the Henry's Fork
Restrooms near Island Park & the Henry's Fork
Restrooms within 5 miles of the centre of Island Park & the Henry's Fork in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.
Map of 7 restrooms near Island Park & the Henry's Fork
Skip the map; every place is in the list belowMap of 7 restrooms near Island Park & the Henry's Fork, numbered as in the list, with the town centre marked.
Restroom
0.5 mi away in a straight line- Vault or pit toilet (mapped)
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom
0.6 mi away in a straight line- Flush toilet (mapped)
- Customers only (mapped)
- Free (mapped)
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom
0.7 mi away in a straight line- Vault or pit toilet (mapped)
- Customers only (mapped)
- Free (mapped)
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom
0.8 mi away in a straight line- Flush toilet (mapped)
- Customers only (mapped)
- Free (mapped)
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Buffalo Campground
0.8 mi away in a straight lineAt a campground · Aud & Di Campground Services
- Vault or pit toilet (mapped)
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Buttermilk Campground
2.9 mi away in a straight lineAt a campground · Aud & Di Campground Services
- Vault or pit toilet (mapped)
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
McCrea Bridge Campground
3.5 mi away in a straight lineAt a campground · Aud & Di Campground Services
- Vault or pit toilet (mapped)
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.
Base yourself nearby
About this
Island Park is a long, spread-out town along US 20; Ashton and West Yellowstone, MT are the nearest alternatives. We do not list or price properties. The search opens an outside site.
Nearest airports
About this
Distances are straight-line from the town centre, computed from OurAirports open data; distances by road are longer. Fares are never estimated here.
- WYS Yellowstone AirportWest Yellowstone, MT · 23 mi · regionalSearch flights
- JAC Jackson Hole AirportJackson, WY · 64 mi · regionalSearch flights
- IDA Idaho Falls Regional AirportIdaho Falls, ID · 71 mi · regionalSearch flights
- BOI Boise Air Terminal/Gowen FieldBoise, ID · 248 mi · major hubSearch flights
Rough out the trip
About this
Set nights, anglers and guided days. Each line says where its figure comes from, and anything we cannot source honestly (guide rates, fares, license fees not read from the agency page) stays a link rather than a number.
Estimates, not quotes
- Fishing licenseSee sourceAgency page
Source
One per angler (2 anglers). Fees are set by Idaho Department of Fish and Game; see the agency page.
Source: Idaho Department of Fish and Game - Guided days6 rates pagesHenry's Fork AnglersWestern River AnglersEast Slope OutdoorsGrand Fishing Adventures
Source
1 guided day for 2 anglers. We do not copy guide rates: 6 guides near here publish a rates page on their own website.
Source: Guide websites (rates pages linked, never copied) - Find lodgingSee sourceSearch lodging
Source
Search places to stay near the destination. We do not list or price properties.
Source: Lodging search link - FlightsSee sourceSearch flights
Source
Fares are not estimated here. Search flights to WYS (Yellowstone Airport).
Source: Flight search link (no fares quoted)
No priced itemsUse the links for real figures.
How we estimate
Estimates, not quotes. Nothing here is a price from a guide, a property or an airline; confirm every cost with the provider before you book. No placeholder lodging range is configured for this region, and licenses, guided days and flights are never priced here.
Parks, forests and visitor offices
About this
For the non-fishing days, or the people traveling with you. Official sources only; what to do there is for their pages to say.
Gear checklist
About this
A wade-fishing checklist for big western trout rivers: a 9 ft 5–6 weight outfit, nymph, dry and streamer setups, waders, boots and a wading staff, with estimated prices by tier and where to buy.
Watch: wade fishing a big river
About this
Covering broad water and staying upright in it.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Walk & Wade Streamer Fishing for Trout | Madison River MontanaEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Not sponsored All videos on big rivers
Stories from Idaho
About this
Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly, tagged with a water in Idaho.
No Idaho stories yet.
Sources for this page
All 9 sources
Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories (open map records checked against each business’s own website). Everything else links to the publisher below; this page copies none of their text. A destination hub organises discovery; it does not assert public access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game: fishing licensesIdaho Department of Fish and Game
- Idaho fishing rulesIdaho Department of Fish and Game
- Idaho Fish and Game fishingIdaho Department of Fish and Game
- Yellowstone National Park fishing permit and rulesNational Park Service
- Harriman State ParkIdaho Parks and Recreation
- Caribou-Targhee National ForestUSDA Forest Service
- Yellowstone National ParkNational Park Service
- OurAirports open data (airport locations)OurAirports, public domain
- Overture Maps places (guide and shop map records)Overture Maps Foundation, CDLA-Permissive 2.0
Links checked 13 Oct 2026. Not a claim of access or conditions.