Deadwood River

Type
Tailwater, Idaho (West)
Designation
Featured sport-fishing water
USGS gauges
1 live
Guides
1 nearby
Shops
None listed

Today on the Deadwood River

Reading the gauge…

Regulations & access Guides & shops

The Deadwood River is a tailwater in Idaho, listed as Featured sport-fishing water by Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

More about the Deadwood River

1 USGS gauge on the water reports flow; Idaho Department of Fish and Game lists 3 species, including cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and redband trout. 1 guide nearby are listed here.

Updated · Sources: IDFG Recommended Fishing Waters (Idaho Fishing Planner), IDFG Recommended Fishing Waters (Idaho Fishing Planner), USGS Water Data

Representative photograph of similar water; not a photograph of this place.
Representative photograph, not this water.
Where it is

Deadwood River is a tailwater in Idaho.

Flow now at the gauge
Reading the gauges…

Follow Deadwood River for flow alerts

Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.

Follow this water

Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.

Where to fish

About this

Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Deadwood River on the map

About this

Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles

Map of Deadwood River: gauges, shops and guides

Map of Deadwood River with 1 USGS gauge.

Restrooms near Deadwood River

Restrooms near Deadwood River

Restrooms within 2 miles of Deadwood River 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.

No restroom mapped within 2 mi yet — add one you know.

Campgrounds, fishing access sites and boat ramps often have one that isn't on the map yet.

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.

More water near Deadwood River

  • Marshy shallows at the edge of Henrys Lake, with the Henrys Lake Mountains behindFeatured sport-fishing waterRepresentative photo · not Deadwood Reservoir
    Photo credit

    Henrys Lake from Henrys Lake State Park, Idaho. Photo: James Postema, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Deadwood Reservoir.

    Deadwood Reservoir

    Idaho · about 2 mi

    Rainbow, cutthroat & bull trout

  • The Snake River bending through a steep canyon near OxbowFeatured sport-fishing waterRepresentative photo · not Scott Creek
    Photo credit

    The Snake River near Oxbow, Oregon, with Oxbow Dam in the far background. Photo: Adumbvoget, public domain, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Scott Creek.

    Scott Creek

    Idaho · about 6 mi

    Rainbow trout

  • Silver Creek winding in slow, mirror-like bends through willows and meadow, with sagebrush hills and mountains beyondFeatured sport-fishing waterRepresentative photo · not Bear Valley Creek
    Photo credit

    Silver Creek near Picabo, Idaho. Photo: Sam Beebe, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Bear Valley Creek.

    Bear Valley Creek

    Idaho · about 13 mi

    Rainbow, brook & cutthroat trout

  • The broad Henry's Fork at Last Chance, Idaho, with meadow banks and the Centennial Mountains on the horizonSpecial-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not South Fork Payette River
    Photo credit

    The Henry's Fork at Last Chance, Island Park, with the Centennial Mountains. Photo: Z3lvs, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not South Fork Payette River.

    South Fork Payette River

    Idaho · about 14 mi

  • Ennis Lake partly iced over in early spring, with the snow-covered Madison Range across the waterFeatured sport-fishing waterRepresentative photo · not Corral Creek Reservoir
    Photo credit

    Ennis Lake, Montana, in March, with the Madison Range beyond. Photo: Gloria Cabada-Leman, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr Not Corral Creek Reservoir.

    Corral Creek Reservoir

    Idaho · about 18 mi

    Rainbow trout

  • Lake Billy Chinook filling a basalt canyon, with layered rimrock cliffs along the waterFeatured sport-fishing waterRepresentative photo · not Herrick Reservoir
    Photo credit

    Lake Billy Chinook, Oregon. Photo: icetsarina, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Herrick Reservoir.

    Herrick Reservoir

    Idaho · about 18 mi

    Rainbow trout & panfish

Regulations

About this

Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.

Official designation: Featured sport-fishing water

Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under trout.

The water on the map

About this

Measured from the NHDPlus High Resolution (flowlines and waterbodies) (U.S. Geological Survey, read 2026-11-05) for this water’s own mapped feature. Rounded figures; they describe the channel, not today’s conditions.

Length
48.5 mi (45.4 in ID)
Drains
237 sq mi
Drop
3,016 ft · 62.1 ft/mi
Flows into
South Fork Payette River
Watershed
South Fork Payette

Public land along it

About this

Areas the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), public access (U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project, read 2026-11-05) lists as owned or held in easement and open to the public, crossed by the mapped channel. Boundaries are mapped, not surveyed. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

26.8 of 45.4 mi on public land

  • Boise National ForestForest Service · 23.7 mi
  • Deadwood ReservoirBureau of Reclamation · 3.2 mi

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Stocking records

About this

From the agency’s own records (Fish Stocking Records (Idaho Fishing Planner), Idaho Department of Fish and Game, read 2026-11-05), listed as Deadwood River (agency stocking point). Check the agency for this season.

Past stockings, not a schedule

  • 2025: Kokanee in Jun (1 stocking, 103,408 fish).

  • 2024: Kokanee in Jun (1 stocking, 87,305 fish).

Agency records

Guides and shops near Deadwood River

About this

Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.

Guides

  • Salmon River Anglers

    Stanley, ID · 35 mi

    Float trips · Beginners & lessons · Salmon River

    • Unclaimed

    Nearby

Shops nearby

No shop nearby yet.

How these are chosen

Guides whose own website names this water come first, nearest first. After them, fly-focused guides within 40 miles whose website does not name it. Distances are straight-line.

Shops: fly shops first. A distance is shown when the shop’s website gives its location (within 60 miles); otherwise the shop is in one of the towns within 25 miles of the water.

Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories.

Species and hatches

About this

The species the agency lists here; presence varies by reach and season.

Listed by the state agency

  • Redband Trout

When the bugs come off

Regional hatch months: Northern Rockies
About this chart

5 hatches charted for the region, not measured on this water. From Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

  1. January: no charted hatch
  2. February: no charted hatch
  3. March: no charted hatch
  4. April: no charted hatch
  5. May: 3 charted hatches
  6. June: 2 charted hatches
  7. July: 2 charted hatches
  8. August: 1 charted hatch
  9. September: 1 charted hatch
  10. October: no charted hatch
  11. November: no charted hatch
  12. December: no charted hatch

Mother's Day caddis (Grannom) (May) · Salmonfly (May to June) · Salmonfly (May to July) · Salmonfly (July) · Trico (August to September)

Plan a trip here

About this

None of our destination hubs is within 40 miles in a straight line. The trip planner builds a trip around the water itself: the guides and shops listed within 40 miles of it, its gauges and its nearest towns and airports.

No hub within 40 miles

Fish these abroad

About this

Matched on the fish the agencies list for both waters first, then the same water type, an official designation or flagship listing on both, and a similar mapped size where USGS hydrography covers both.

At most two waters per country. A shared fish is a listing, not a promise: presence varies by reach and season.

Like the Deadwood River? Same fish, overseas.

  • The Meander River curving between willows and parkland at DeloraineFlagship water
    Photo credit

    The Meander River in Deloraine, Tasmania. Photo: Gary Houston, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Meander River

    Tasmania, Australia

    Same fish: rainbow trout · also a tailwater

  • The straight, turquoise Tekapo–Pukaki canal running between gravel banks toward distant hillsFlagship water
    Photo credit

    The Tekapo–Pukaki hydro canal, Mackenzie Country, Canterbury. Photo: Avenue, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Hydro Canals

    Canterbury, New Zealand

    Same fish: rainbow trout · also a tailwater

  • The Grand River running wide and blue between grassy, wooded banks north of ParisTailwater
    Photo credit

    The Grand River just north of Paris, Ontario, looking upstream. Photo: JustSomePics, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Grand River

    Ontario, Canada

    Same fish: rainbow trout · also a tailwater

  • The lower Clutha River's channels winding across green farmland towards the seaTailwater
    Photo credit

    The lower Clutha River / Mata-Au and Inch Clutha from Kaitangata. Photo: Andrewrutherford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Lower Clutha River / Mata-Au

    Otago, New Zealand

    Same fish: rainbow trout · also a tailwater

  • The wide, calm Río Toltén past rounded boulders on the bank, low hills beyondTailwaterRepresentative photo · not Río Calcurrupe
    Photo credit

    The Río Toltén at Pocoyán. Photo: Maxbalter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Río Calcurrupe.

    Río Calcurrupe

    Los Ríos, Chile

    Same fish: rainbow trout · also a tailwater

  • The South Esk River running dark and still between steep rocky wallsTailwaterRepresentative photo · not Brumbys Creek
    Photo credit

    The South Esk River, Tasmania. Photo: Michael Coghlan from Adelaide, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Brumbys Creek.

    Brumbys Creek

    Tasmania, Australia

    Same fish: rainbow trout · also a tailwater

Fish it when it's winter here

Southern seasons open while ours close.

  • Lake Taupō's blue water framed by yellow kōwhai and bush, hills across the lakeFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Lake Taupō. Photo: Ériugena, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Lake Taupō

    Waikato, New Zealand

    Season open all year · DOC

  • Penstock Lagoon's open water below a shoreline of tall eucalyptsFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Penstock Lagoon, Central Highlands, Tasmania. Photo: Mike Cline, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Penstock Lagoon

    Tasmania, Australia

    Season open Aug–May · Inland Fisheries Service

  • The clear turquoise Río Limay flowing past green willows and rock outcropsTailwater
    Photo credit

    The Río Limay, Argentina. Photo: P. Hughes, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Río Limay

    Río Negro, Argentina

    Season open Nov–May · Patagonian fishing regulation

  • The broad blue-green Río Puelo between forested banks, mountains beyondFreestone riverRepresentative photo · not Río Petrohué
    Photo credit

    The Río Puelo at Las Gualas, Cochamó. Photo: Nicolás from seno de reloncaví, Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Río Petrohué.

    Río Petrohué

    Los Lagos, Chile

    Season open Nov–May · SERNAPESCA

  • The Río Simpson running past the edge of Coyhaique under cliffs and hills in AysénLake or reservoirRepresentative photo · not Lago Llanquihue
    Photo credit

    The Río Simpson passing Coyhaique, Aysén. Photo: Manxuc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lago Llanquihue.

    Lago Llanquihue

    Los Lagos, Chile

    Season open Nov–May · SERNAPESCA

  • Lago Nahuel Huapi's blue water and wooded islands below snow-capped Andes, framed by conifersLake or reservoir
    Photo credit

    Lago Nahuel Huapi from Llao Llao. Photo: David, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Lago Nahuel Huapi

    Río Negro, Argentina

    Season open Oct–May · Patagonian fishing regulation

  • The braided Oreti River across green farmland, mountains on the horizonFlagship waterRepresentative photo · not Mataura River
    Photo credit

    The Oreti River near Lumsden, Southland. Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Mataura River.

    Mataura River

    Southland, New Zealand

    Season open Oct–Apr · Fish & Game NZ

  • Old timber pilings reflected in the still water of Great Lake, a low wooded shore beyondFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Great Lake, Tasmania. Photo: Peripitus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Yingina / Great Lake

    Tasmania, Australia

    Season open all year · Inland Fisheries Service

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.

A woman in waders and a sun hat wades a broad river and casts, bluffs on the far bank

Big western rivers (wade fishing)

9′ rod, 5–6 weight, floating line · Rainbow and brown trout, whitefish

Open the checklist
Videos for this water (5)

Watch: reading a trout stream

About this

Seams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

  • How I Learned to Read Water (Fly Fishing)Embedded from YouTube · Mad River Outfitters · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
  • How To Read The Water with Tom RosenbauerEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
  • Reading the Water to Successfully Locate TroutEmbedded from YouTube · Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on reading water

Watch: nymphing basics

About this

Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

  • 90° Nymph RigEmbedded from YouTube · Huge Fly Fisherman · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
  • Casting with an Indicator & Better Nymphing TechniquesEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on nymphing

Fish Tales

About this

Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Deadwood River.

No stories from here yet.

Sources for this page

Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.

Something wrong?

All 15 sources and dates

A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.

Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: the USGS gauge DEADWOOD RIVER BL DEADWOOD RES NR LOWMAN ID. Water type is our own classification.