Hells Canyon Sport Fishing provides guided Sturgeon fishing opportunities on the Snake River along the boarders of Idaho and Oregon.

Our guests will meet their guide at Heller Bar Boat Launch usually around 6am (daylight) in the morning. Your guide will introduce himself and help you get loaded into the boat and out on the water to start your day of fishing. Plan to be back to the launch around 4 pm based on an 8-10 hour day of fishing.

Our guides are flexible and can accommodate whatever time frame you need. Most days are a minimum of 8 hours and may last up to 10 hours on the water. Our guides love to fish, so don't be surprised if you are out all day!

Although Sturgeon fishing is open year round in Idaho we consider Spring, Summer and Fall to be the best time for fishing opportunity.

The White Sturgeon is the largest of all fresh water fish. For many anglers catching and getting a picture with a giant Sturgeon has been a life long dream. A fish up to 10 feet in length that can jump clear out of the water, peel yards of line and put your endurance to the test is am amazing experience! Our guides have spent a lifetime helping make these dreams come true for our clients.

The average sized fish we catch in Hells Canyon is 6-8 feet in length.

We have boated many fish over 10 feet long and 400+ lbs! Now that is a true Giant!!!

Idaho fish and Game estimates these giants to be well over 100 years old.

We like to use 200+ pound braided line. Our river is full of big sharp rock and the heavy line all but eliminates break-offs.

Our preferred bait is what we can catch fresh that day. Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass and Salmon meat are some of the best baits you can use.

8/0 - 10/0 circle or J hooks are what we normally use. Gamakatsu, Owner and Muruto are our favorites.

No. We provide top quality and appropriate gear for all anglers on our trips. The sturgeon rods, reels and line is very specialized to our environment. If you have small spinning equipment you would prefer to use to catch bait with please bring it along!

No they are not required, But….One of the coolest things about catching a giant sturgeon is getting a photograph that lasts a lifetime. Early spring Sturgeon fishing takes place in cold waters and waders may help you get in the water with your catch for that best photo opportunity.

All our boats are open guide style Jet Boats. These are welded aluminum fishing specific boats with no top to impede your fishing experience. We are proud of our fleet of boats and certainly have some of the finest guide boats on the river. Our boats range from 23’ - 34’ in length.

You can reserve a boat with as few as 2 anglers. We have 2 person minimum boats, 4 person minimum boats and 6 person minimum boats.

Our boats get bigger with the group size. For example…If you book a 2 person trip we would schedule you to fish in one of our 23’ outboard boats. If you book a 4-6 person trip we would use one of our 25’- 34’ boats.

HCSF offers Hells Canyon Resort and Hells Gate Estate to accommodate our clients overnight and multiple night stays. For our clients that prefer to stay in town we highly recommend staying with the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel in Lewiston, Idaho or Holiday Inn & Quay Convention Center, both hotels offer our clients room discounts. You must call them direct and ask for the Hells Canyon Sport Fishing discount at the time of booking.

In Idaho we have 4 distinct seasons. Remember you will be fishing from an all open boat so if it is raining you will be out in it. Winter fishing you will need weatherproof insulated gear head to toe. Spring fishing can bring occasional rain and cooler conditions. Always bring good rain gear and dress in layers. Summer fishing can be hot. Bring your water shoes and wear a swimsuit under your clothes. You will want to take a swim in the 70 degree water!  Fall weather can be cold in the morning and beautiful later in the day. You are encouraged to bring a small bag with all your extra cloths and rain gear to be prepared for whatever the weather of the day may bring.

For all our trips on the Clearwater, Snake and Salmon Rivers you will need an IDAHO FISHING LICENSE if you are 14 years old and older. If you are fishing for Salmon or Steelhead in Idaho you will need a catch record card. You can download your Idaho license through the "Go Outdoor Idaho" smartphone app. Trips that start at Heller Bar will need a Washington State Discover Parking Pass.

Any trips that include overnight lodging with Hells Canyon Resort will include breakfast, lunch and dinner. Non-lodge trips you will need to bring your lunch and drinks each day. We have plenty of room for your cooler and a bag of food and such. Our boats always have cold water, sodas and a few snacks aboard just in case!

Please do! We will help work with kids of all ages to catch fish, maybe even their first fish!

White Sturgeon have been 100% catch and release in Idaho since 1970. If you would like to keep a few smallmouth bass to eat your guide will gladly fillet your catch for you!

Gratuities are always appreciated by our guides and staff. If you feel that you were well taken care of, please feel free to leave a tip. 15%-20% of the total trip cost is typical. Please tip your guide, deckhand and lodge staff separately.

Yes, you can and please do! Our guides will always take the extra time and attention needed to make sure all our clients have the accommodations they need to have an awesome experience. Fishing with HCSF can be enjoyed by everyone!

YES! 2000 feet deeper!

Its easy! You and our team will discuss fishing options and dates that work for everyone. Once a date is decided on we require a 50% deposit to lock in your spot on our calendar.

Absolutely! Surprise that special someone for their birthday, Fathers or Mothers day, Christmas or any occasion with the gift of a guided fishing experience with HCSF!

A 50% deposit is required to lock in your dates at the time of your booking. The remainder of the trip is due 30 days prior to your trip date.

Deposits can be made by mailing a check or you can pay with credit card (plus a 3.5% credit card convenience fee).

Cancellations must be received 60 days prior to your fishing trip in order to receive a full deposit refund. If cancellations occur 30-60 days prior to your fishing trip, we will issue a credit that expires 1 year from invoice date. If cancellations occur within 30 days of your fishing trip, there will be NO REFUND.  Final payment is due 30 days before the time of the trip.

No Show Policy - Each guided trip is issued a start time. Fishing guides will wait for a reasonable amount of time (1 to 2 hours) for groups to show for their guided trip. When a group does not show for their guided trip, full payment is due, no refunds or credit is issued.