St. Joe River, Idaho
St. Joe National Forest — Wild cutthroat and steelhead in Idaho's Panhandle
The St. Joe River of northern Idaho is one of the most beautiful and least-known wild trout rivers in the Pacific Northwest — a mountain freestone stream flowing west through the St. Joe National Forest from its headwaters on the Bitterroot Divide to its confluence with the St. Maries River and ultimately Lake Coeur d'Alene. Known as the "Shadowy St. Joe" for the old-growth forest that lines its banks, the river offers exceptional wild cutthroat fishing in a remote, pristine corridor that sees a fraction of the pressure of the more famous rivers to the south.
Wild Westslope Cutthroat dominate the upper and middle St. Joe — some of the largest and finest-conditioned cutthroat remaining in northern Idaho. Fish averaging 14–18 inches in the prime canyon sections are genuinely attainable, and the river's limited pressure means these fish are more cooperative than their more-educated southern cousins on the South Fork Snake or Henry's Fork. Attractor dry flies work throughout the summer in a setting of extraordinary forest beauty.
The lower St. Joe below St. Maries receives runs of wild steelhead in fall — B-run fish heading for spawning tributaries in the upper watershed. This lower section has less dramatic scenery than the upper canyon but provides access to Idaho's legendary B-run steelhead within the Panhandle region.
Forest Road 50 parallels the upper river for over 30 miles, providing continuous access to one of the finest wild cutthroat streams in the northern Rocky Mountains without requiring significant backcountry preparation.
Forest Road 50 — Upper River
FR-50 follows the river from the town of St. Joe upstream for 30+ miles. Multiple campgrounds and informal pulloffs provide continuous access to wild cutthroat water.
Avery — Mid River Hub
The small community of Avery provides a supply point and access hub for mid-river fishing. Good base camp for multi-day upper river trips.
St. Maries — Lower River
Access near St. Maries for fall steelhead fishing. The confluence with the St. Maries River and lower canyon hold migrating steelhead September-November.
Westslope Cutthroat
Dominant species throughout. Wild fish averaging 12–18 inches with larger fish in the upper canyon. Among the finest cutthroat fishing in northern Idaho. Aggressive dry fly feeders.
Bull Trout
Present in small numbers. Protected throughout — immediate release required. Indicator species for the river's outstanding water quality.
Steelhead
Fall migrants in lower river sections September-November. B-run fish averaging 6–10 pounds. Swinging wet flies in canyon pools.
The St. Joe is one of Idaho's best-kept secrets — the combination of large wild cutthroat and minimal pressure is increasingly rare.
FR-50 provides continuous access without the hiking demands of some Idaho wilderness streams — accessible wild fish quality is exceptional.
The forest road's 30+ mile length means you can drive upstream to find completely unfished water — invest the extra 30 minutes for dramatic improvements in fish size and cooperativeness.
Old-growth cedar and white pine forest along the upper St. Joe is some of the finest remaining in Idaho — the scenery alone justifies the trip.
No verified guides listed for this river yet. Browse all guides →