Idaho
Clearwater River at Spalding
Current River Rating
Fair · 64
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Sunday, 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Why
- Water temperature is within the preferred trout range.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 10900 CFS
- Gage Height
- 5.71 ft
- Water Temperature
- 53.1 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 13342500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
60°F
Feels like
55°F
Wind
7 mph NE
Wind gust
10 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 12:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.08 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 1 AM
Clear
Temp 60°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 5 AM
Clear
Temp 54°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 9 AM
Clear
Temp 63°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 1 PM
Clear
Temp 76°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 5 PM
Clear
Temp 80°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 9 PM
Clear
Temp 64°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Partly cloudy
High 80°F / Low 53°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 27 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Drizzle
High 82°F / Low 53°F
Chance 45%
Precip 0.06 in
Max gust 14 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Showers
High 79°F / Low 60°F
Chance 82%
Precip 0.59 in
Max gust 14 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 80°F / Low 55°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 5 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Clearwater River at Spalding, Idaho. Monitoring-Backed from USGS 13342500 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature).
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Clearwater River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
The Clearwater at Spalding is the lower Clearwater fishing reach near the Snake confluence. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 13342500 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). IDFG Clearwater Region special rules for the mouth-to-Orofino section limit trout harvest to clipped-adipose fish and prohibit cutthroat harvest. Anadromous steelhead and salmon require current permits and are not selector IDs. Distinct from Dworshak, Lochsa, and Selway. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
IDFG Clearwater mouth-to-Orofino: only clipped-adipose trout may be kept. USGS 13342500. Native cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii, including Yellowstone and westslope forms where IDFG manages them) are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID. They are described in overview and regulation caution only. Anadromous steelhead require a current IDFG salmon/steelhead permit when fishing for them and are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID. Confirm current seasons on the official rules.
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
IDFG Clearwater Region lists bass among regional game fish. Confirm current regional bass rules. Distinct from Lochsa and Selway trout special-rule reaches.
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Anadromous Chinook seasons are permit-based and change. Confirm current IDFG salmon notices. This is not a timeless season claim.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Large lower Clearwater River at Spalding, downstream of Orofino and upstream of the Snake River confluence.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by IDFG Fishing Planner and Nez Perce / Clearwater corridor access. Catalog coordinates are the USGS point. Hatchery-perimeter closures apply at Dworshak National Fish Hatchery and Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery ladder — those are not this station.
Stocking information
IDFG and federal/tribal hatchery programs manage anadromous and resident salmonids in the Clearwater drainage. Confirm current official stocking and hatchery notices separately. Do not invent a stocking calendar.
Official sources
IDFG Clearwater Region 2025-2027: from the mouth upstream to the Clearwater River Bridge at Orofino, trout harvest is limited to clipped-adipose trout; no harvest of cutthroat. Salmon/steelhead fishing requires a current permit. Sockeye fishing is prohibited in this drainage definition. Distinct from North Fork above Dworshak and from Lochsa 13337000. Confirm current rules.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Nez Perce, Idaho
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Nez Perce
Management Category
Anadromous and resident salmonid river
Regulation Scope
Clearwater River at Spalding / mouth to Orofino
Regulation Summary
Clearwater at Spalding: IDFG Clearwater Region mouth-to-Orofino special rules. Confirm current 2025-2027 Fishing Seasons & Rules and salmon/steelhead notices.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, smallmouth-bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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