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Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
November 11, 2025

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Fishing Reports

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CJ Strike: Good fishing right now for lots of different species - crappie being the hottest from what I am hearing. I heard great reports from anglers trolling Flicker Shads in perch, fire tiger patterns - 80-100’ behind the boat, around 1.5mph. Sounds like a lot of dark water in the Bruneau and reports from that area haven’t been great because of it. For bass, lots of fish in 15-25’ being caught with blade baits (if you haven’t fished these in the past, see the video below), Carolina rigs, drop shots, neds and minnow baits on jig heads…Keitechs, Scented Jerk Shadz, ZToo’s, etc. I am also hearing good reports for sturgeon below the dam as well as up the Snake River arm using trout, crappie and squid.

Boise River: Great spot to fish right now. We have our eyes on Fish and Game looing for any updates on Steelhead stocking. If I were fishing here I’d have Countdown Minnows, crappie jigs under a float, Lucky Crafter Pointer 65’s and shrimp!

How to Spot Trout Redds

Spawning trout 101

There is an important distinction between fishing to spawning trout and char and fishing during the spawn. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the latter, but practicing the former might get you drawn and quartered in some parts of the country where casting over active redds means you might be pulling big fish away from a nest or a mate.

www.hatchmag.com/articles/spawning-trout-101/7715210

Brownlee: SAME REPORT AS LAST WEEK!! Good fishing right now! Water levels are at 2061.7 - up another 2-ish feet from last week. Algae warning is still in affect and you can launch from the Spring Rec site. Lots of bass to be caught right now. If you are looking for a decent bank fishing spot, spend some time around Woodhead dragging Texas rigs, throwing Keitech swimbaits, EWG Ned rigs and drop shots with Roboworms or Keepers worms Texas rigged with straight shank hooks like the Owner Cover Shot - all baits that can be fished in the snaggy rocks in the coves around Woodhead. From the boat, no way I would be without a Carolina rigged fluke - just good ol’ green pumpkin should be fine. I’d have a drop shot, Keitech or Rapala Crush City Mooch Minnow in either green pumpkin or electric shad, a crankbait, jerkbait and maybe an A-rig?? Crappie fishing has been good - a little tough for some but the ones you do find are worth the effort…bigs! I would recommend looking at areas where bluffs turn to sand or gravel - lots of these types of places at Brownlee. You’re likely to find fish suspended over 40ish feet at 25. Your favorite plastic should do the trick - I like the Northland Tackle baits or the Big Bite Baits Kamikaze Swim Ons on 1/8oz jig heads - tipped with crappie nibbles.

Snake River: Lots of small to medium sized fish being caught. If I was a bank angler, this is where I would be targeting. Lots of public access below Swan Falls dam! I’d have a Keitech and a Texas rigged tube! Try the 9 2 Tao from Dry Creek!

Wilson Springs: Powerbait and nightcrawlers - recently stocked and several small fish swimming around.

Lake Lowell: No Report this week but also a great place for bank anglers right now. The water around here is STILL WARM! Take a wacky rigged senko and go walk the dam! My gut says a couple hours of fishing and you’re going to get bit!

Cascade Reservoir: Best reports right now are for perch. Blade baits, 2.8 Keitech Easy Shiners on 1/8oz heads, trolling Flicker Shads and Shad Raps and one customer gave me permission to share his secret perch technique…drop shot with a Z Man Micro TRD fished WACKY! Love it!! Thanks for sharing and trying to help guys get bit! Sounds like schools are plentiful and spread out. Rock piles, offshore humps, the island and the dam are all good places to start. Not a lot of reports for bass. If I had to guess, we have a little bit of a skinny window here where a lipless, jerkbait, Keitech and maybe even a spinnerbait will get bit. I expect the fish you do catch will be big.

Horsethief Reservoir: No report.

Owyhee Reservoir: Great report from a good friend of mine. He caught several crappie in 5-20’ on Chartreuse and Black jigs and Big Bite Baits Swimons. Said the water temps were in the low 50’s and that they caught some decent fish - got them excited about what next year might be like for the crappie fishing. Lots of smalls this year but fingers crossed for some awesome fishing next year. Bass fishing remains tough. BRUTAL is the word one customer used. Carolina rigs, drop shots and blade baits did catch a few fish that I know of last week but not many. Maybe go to Brownlee 😉

Owyhee River: Only one report - water is low and that “I wished I had a fly rod”. Lots of midges and BWO’s if you are a fly guy - BWO’s on the warmer days with less wind. On days where they won’t chase your hardbaits, take a look at some of the small invertebrate inspired baits by Northland Tackle - under a float, they’d smash some trout!

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!! FINALLY!!!

One report that right now is a great time to strip a leach fly on Mountain View! Check the wind reports before you go!

Lucky Peak Reservoir: No Report.

Arrowrock Reservoir: No Report

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Couple reports for several small Kokanee on white and silver dodgers with pink hoochies. One bank angler had a really good day fishing for small, smallmouth bass - no big ones but a “great, quiet day.” Love that.

Payette Lake: No report.

Local Ponds: Some big bass have been caught on glides and LOTS of our ponds have been stocked with trout. This colder weather is great for these trout!! Crappie jigs are awesome for trout and super cheap!! Powerbait and little chunks of nightcrawler are great for stockers!!

Veterans Day - Discount for Vets, More Models of Link and Imperium Rods on the way!, Allonas Angels, Food Drive, SKIRTS and NEEDLES

We want to say thank you to all those who have served our country, past and present. Enjoy 15% your entire purchase on Tuesday, 11/11/2025 - Veterans Day.
We should be seeing several models of Link and Imperium rods this MONTH! This will include: The Imperium Green Rod, Imperium UL rod - SEVERAL of you have said this is the BEST UL rod you have ever used!!, Heavy Casting, ML Spinning and more! Pre Orders and special pricing will be available soon.
We are an Allonas Angels drop off location! This is a great program that helps put together Christmas presents for Seniors in care facilities that often spend Christmas alone. Check out this link and participate!!
Allonas Angels Link: https://allonasangels.org/
OUR ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE HAS STARTED!! Bring us in a canned food item and we will trade you a hat! This can be a tough time of the year for so many. Help us help some of those around us! Fishy people are good people! Thank you to all of you that have donated so far! Been a phenomenal success already.
We just received a huge shipment of rubber skirting material for making your own jigs and fuzzy baits! Needles in stock as well on Wednesday!
^{We are SOLD OUT of the IRR Exclusive Double Dipped 9 2 Tao Tubes!! We have a few bags of the Laminate version left!!}
Watch our social media pages as we will have several sales and discount bins coming up!!
^{ONE STEP CLOSER!!!!! WE ARE WORKING ON A VERY UNIQUE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY!! CAN’T WAIT TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT!!}
^{Bait and equipment reviews coming…along with some How To’s….}
^{Is there something you’d like to see in the shop? Email me at [email protected]…one random suggestion just might end up winning you a prize.}

Worth Watching

One of my favorite places on earth!! If you ever want to go, come talk to me!!

Technically Speaking...

Understanding Drag

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

CHECK THIS OUT!

Anglers: Expect changes at American Falls Reservoir, the Snake River below, and Walcott Reservoir

Persistent drought has impacted popular fisheries in southeastern and eastern Idaho. Here is what Idaho Fish and Game is doing to better understand and improve these fisheries.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/anglers-expect-changes-american-falls-reservoir-snake-river-below-and-walcott-reservoir

Steelhead/Salmon UPDATE!

Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (11-04-2025)

idfg.idaho.gov/article/upper-salmon-river-steelhead-fishing-report-11-04-2025

Local Fish Stocking Reports

Fish Stocking Forecasts

td {width: 33%; max-width: 33%; } This report highlights the monthly fish stocking schedule. Unless noted, fish listed below are all 10 to 12 inch rainbow trout. Stocking of all waters is tentative and dependent on river/lake/pond conditions; dates may change due to weather or staffing constraints. The table below shows schedules for all known forecasted stocking and up to the last month's recent stocking schedules. It may take two weeks for stocking data to appear as Historical stocking information. Your patience is appreciated.

idfg.idaho.gov/d7/fish/stocking/forecasts?rid=3

Steelhead Dam Counts

Steelhead Dam Counts

idfg.idaho.gov/fish/steelhead/dam-counts

My favorite way to fish! And one of the most intimidating techniques for many…