Idaho
Snake River near Irwin
Current River Rating
Fair · 52
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 · Low confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Timing Outlook
This timing outlook is informational only; current river conditions remain Fair.
Why
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Timing Evidence
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 7020 CFS
- Gage Height
- 7.25 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 13032500 · 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
61°F
Feels like
54°F
Wind
8 mph S
Wind gust
10 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 4, 2026, 11:15 PM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 2 AM
Clear
Temp 60°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 6 AM
Clear
Temp 58°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 10 AM
Clear
Temp 71°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 13 mph
Sat 2 PM
Clear
Temp 81°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 13 mph
Sat 6 PM
Clear
Temp 80°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 11 mph
Sat 10 PM
Clear
Temp 67°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Clear
High 82°F / Low 58°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 28 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 82°F / Low 59°F
Chance 41%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 25 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Drizzle
High 63°F / Low 46°F
Chance 79%
Precip 0.21 in
Max gust 27 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
Snake River near Irwin, Idaho — the South Fork Snake below Palisades Dam. Monitoring-Backed from USGS 13032500 via the accepted air-derived river-trout path. Stale 00010 (ends 2015) is not live temperature. Distinct from Wyoming Snake above Palisades near Alpine 13022500 and from Heise 13037500.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Snake 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
Snake near Irwin is StrikeTracks' public South Fork Snake identity below Palisades Dam. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 13032500 (live discharge and stage) using the accepted air-derived river-trout path. Historical 00010 ending 2015 is not live temperature. Distinct from Wyoming Alpine 13022500 and from Heise 13037500, which was researched and not admitted as a second South Fork identity. IDFG Upper Snake special rules: no harvest of cutthroat, brown trout limit 2, no limit on rainbow trout or hybrids, with an angler incentive program to harvest non-native rainbows. Yellowstone cutthroat and mountain whitefish are not selector IDs. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
IDFG South Fork Snake special rules and rainbow/hybrid harvest incentive. USGS 13032500 Irwin. Distinct from Wyoming Alpine (13022500). 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. Mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) are an IDFG game fish in many Idaho drainages and are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID. Confirm current whitefish rules separately.
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
IDFG South Fork Snake special rules and rainbow/hybrid harvest incentive. USGS 13032500 Irwin. Distinct from Wyoming Alpine (13022500). 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. Mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) are an IDFG game fish in many Idaho drainages and are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID. Confirm current whitefish rules separately.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Large South Fork Snake tailwater below Palisades Dam near Irwin, Idaho, upstream of Heise and the Henrys Fork confluence at Menan.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by IDFG Fishing Planner, South Fork Snake access, and boat ramps such as Conant and Byington. Catalog coordinates are the USGS Irwin point, not a ramp pin.
Stocking information
IDFG manages the South Fork Snake to protect Yellowstone cutthroat, including tributary weirs and an incentive harvest of rainbow trout and hybrids. Confirm current official stocking separately.
Official sources
IDFG Upper Snake 2025-2027: South Fork Snake River — no harvest of cutthroat; brown trout limit 2; no limit on rainbow trout or trout hybrids. Tributaries have a June 1-30 fishing closure plus no cutthroat harvest. Do not remap 13032500 to Wyoming Alpine 13022500 or Heise 13037500. Confirm current IDFG South Fork Snake pages.
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
Bonneville, 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
Bonneville
Management Category
Wild trout river
Regulation Scope
South Fork Snake River near Irwin / Palisades tailwater
Regulation Summary
Snake near Irwin / South Fork Snake: IDFG Upper Snake South Fork Snake special rules. Confirm current 2025-2027 Fishing Seasons & Rules.
Target Species
brown-trout, rainbow-trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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