Walleye in Idaho
Region bag lines and IDFG picks for walleye.
- 6 a daybag
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of the fish, not an Idaho water: Argyleist, CC BY 2.0
Idaho Walleye, the essentials
IDFG writes a walleye bag into 5 of the seven region tables. A sample, from the IDFG Panhandle Region: "No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged".
Lake Pend Oreille, Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir and Lower Goose Creek Reservoir lead the 7 Idaho pages where the Planner recommends it. Hatchery crews logged 1 stocking row of it on Planner pages, latest May 21, 2025. Scientific name in the Planner: Sander vitreus.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Walleye limits from every IDFG region block
| IDFG region | Line as printed |
|---|---|
| IDFG Panhandle Region | No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged |
| IDFG Clearwater Region | No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged |
| IDFG Southwest Region | No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged |
| IDFG Magic Valley Region | Walleye limit is 6 |
| IDFG Upper Snake Region | No bag, length, or possession limits, harvest is encouraged |
Region bag limits from Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules, 2025-2027, as printed on IDFG Fishing Planner water pages (the brochure PDF on idfg.idaho.gov was unreachable during site maintenance), read November 7, 2026.
Hatchery Walleye released into Idaho water
| Water | Release as printed |
|---|---|
| Oneida Narrows Reservoir | Walleye, 570,000 fish, Fry (0-3 inches), May 21, 2025 |
Stocking rows as printed on the IDFG Fishing Planner water pages (date, species, number and size as listed), read November 7, 2026.
Idaho water IDFG recommends for walleye
Lakes the Planner suggests for walleye
- Lake Pend Oreille92,764 acres
- Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir2,753 acres
- Lower Goose Creek Reservoir1,007 acres
- Oneida Narrows Reservoir421 acres
Rivers the Planner suggests for walleye
- Bear RiverBear Lake County
- Clark Fork RiverBonner County
- Pend Oreille RiverBonner County
IDFG Fishing Planner recommended game fish on each water page, read November 7, 2026; largest lakes and best-served rivers first.
Idaho rule blocks that cite walleye
- Oneida Narrows ReservoirIDFG Southeast Region
Waters with rule blocks, A to Z
Rule blocks printed on IDFG Fishing Planner water pages (2025-2027), read November 7, 2026.
Gem State water near Walleye, on camera
Photo: Tamanoeconomico, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Cecelia Alexander, CC0 1.0
Before targeting walleye in Idaho
Can walleye be kept in Idaho?
By region; the IDFG Panhandle Region prints "No bag, length, or possession limits. Harvest is encouraged".
Which water gave up a record walleye in 2026?
None turned up in the 2026 IDFG announcements read for this site; the full list is on idfg.idaho.gov.
Where do walleye turn up in Idaho?
Try Lake Pend Oreille, Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir and Lower Goose Creek Reservoir; 7 pages list it.
Does IDFG stock walleye?
The Planner shows 1 row, most recently Oneida Narrows Reservoir (May 21, 2025).
Where does the walleye rule change in Idaho?
Rule blocks on 1 pages mention it (Oneida Narrows Reservoir).
Does the Endangered Species Act cover walleye in Idaho?
No, it is not a listed fish.
Do visitors need a license for Idaho walleye?
Fishing here takes an Idaho fishing license; Idaho Code 36-416 sets the annual statutory fee at $28.75 for residents and $106.25 for nonresidents, and steelhead or salmon fishing takes its own permit.
Can a released walleye set an Idaho record?
IDFG keeps two lists: certified weight, on a certified scale, and catch-and-release, by total length of a fish released alive.
Choose a walleye water in Idaho
Each water above has launches and rules on its page.