Idaho
Boise River below Anderson Ranch Dam
Location Snapshot
The Boise River below Anderson Ranch Dam is the South Fork Boise tailwater in Idaho, a trout-focused mountain river. Rainbow and brown trout are the primary targets for fly-fishing and light-tackle anglers.
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
Thursday, 10:00 AM–1:00 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
- 309 CFS
- Gage Height
- 3.06 ft
- Water Temperature
- 52.7 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 21, 2026, 12:15 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 13190500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
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
Loading advisory…
Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
63°F
Feels like
57°F
Wind
7 mph E
Wind gust
9 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 7:15 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
Tue 8 PM
Clear
Temp 61°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Wed 12 AM
Overcast
Temp 58°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Wed 4 AM
Drizzle
Temp 57°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Wed 8 AM
Clear
Temp 54°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Wed 12 PM
Clear
Temp 68°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 15 mph
Wed 4 PM
Clear
Temp 74°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Overcast
High 73°F / Low 48°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 23 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Drizzle
High 74°F / Low 54°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 21 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Drizzle
High 72°F / Low 54°F
Chance 91%
Precip 0.13 in
Max gust 28 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Rain
High 54°F / Low 42°F
Chance 91%
Precip 0.26 in
Max gust 22 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
Loading historical flow…
Fishing Overview
The South Fork Boise below Anderson Ranch Dam is the water from the dam downstream to Neal Bridge.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Boise 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
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Official sources
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
Elmore, 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
Elmore
Management Category
Tailwater trout river
Regulation Scope
South Fork Boise River below Anderson Ranch Dam.
Regulation Summary
South Fork Boise below Anderson Ranch: IDFG Southwest Region Neal Bridge-to-dam special rules. Confirm current 2025-2027 Fishing Seasons & Rules.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, brown-trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
Loading access and regulations…