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Idaho · Fishing
Spencer, Idaho sits in the high desert of the upper Snake River Plain, and the fishing around here is tied almost entirely to moving water.
3 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
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Spencer, Idaho sits in the high desert of the upper Snake River Plain, and the fishing around here is tied almost entirely to moving water. The three spots listed on Roamze — Stoddard Creek Campground, Al Taylor Cabin, and Steel Creek Group Campground — all point toward river fishing, which means you're looking at wade fishing or bank fishing on creek and river systems rather than stillwater. This part of eastern Idaho is serious country: the elevation is real, the season is compressed, and the fish aren't going to hand themselves to you. What you get in exchange is uncrowded water and the kind of access that comes from staying close to the water itself, since two of the three options are campgrounds and one is a cabin. If you're driving up from Idaho Falls or coming through on I-15, Spencer makes a practical base. Bring waders, plan around runoff timing in late spring, and check Idaho Fish and Game regulations before you go because rules on these smaller creek systems can differ from the main river regs. The listings here skew toward anglers who want to sleep near the water and fish early, which is the right instinct for this area.
All three listings on this page are categorized as river fishing, so you're looking at stream and creek fishing rather than lake or reservoir fishing. Expect wade fishing and bank access on moving water in the broader upper Snake River region.
Summer through early fall is the most reliable window. Spring runoff can blow out smaller creek systems well into June depending on snowpack, so late June through September tends to offer the clearest water and most fishable conditions. Early morning is consistently the most productive time of day on moving water in this region.
Al Taylor Cabin
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Buttermilk
~56 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Henry's Fork: Last Chance
~60 min drive
Expert
Fisherman's Point
~1h 19m drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Steel Creek Group Campground
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Riverside (id - Targhee)
~58 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Stoddard Creek Campground
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Mccrea Bridge
~58 min drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Antone Cabin
~41 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Buffalo
~1h 1m drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
Vigilante Cabin
~1h 8m drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Upper Coffee Pot
~1h 1m drive
A worthwhile stop near ID.
You need a valid Idaho fishing license, and if you're targeting certain species you may need additional tags. Regulations on smaller creek systems can vary from main-river rules, so check the current Idaho Fish and Game regulations for the specific water body before your trip rather than assuming general statewide rules apply.
Waders and wading boots are worth packing since creek fishing here typically means getting in the water to reach good runs. A medium-light spinning rod or a 4-6 weight fly rod covers most situations on smaller stream systems. Bring a valid Idaho fishing license, a net, and polarized sunglasses for reading the water.
River fishing on moving water has a steeper learning curve than stillwater fishing, so complete beginners may find it frustrating without some prior experience reading current and presenting a lure or fly naturally. That said, camping right at the water at spots like Stoddard Creek Campground or Steel Creek Group Campground gives you time to learn the water over multiple sessions, which helps.
