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Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
July 15, 2025

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: We’re definitely into the summer bummer fishing 🤣 …it’s a little more hit and miss and many of you are probably noticing that the size of the fish have gotten smaller - especially if you are a bass angler. For crappie, the anglers that I have spoken to that are having consistent success are trolling. Salmos, Flicker Shads, Shad Raps are the main players. Let’s get em 60-90’ behind the boat and try speeds between 1.5 and 2mph. Keep an eye on your electronics while you’re moving and mark larger schools. You can come back to those and catch them with vertical techniques such as drop shots or jigging raps. From the bank, do the best you can to get near deep water and throw baits that you can cover water with like Northland Underspins. If you have your two-pole permit, set up a float rod with a crappie jig and some crappie nibbles and let the wind and current move that around while you actively fish with another rod. For the bass, deep cranking Strike King 6XD’s has been working. I’d have a IRR Tungsten Finesse Jig, a Keepers Custom worm on a drop shot, a Rapala Crush City Clean Up Craw on a Carolina rig and if you’re taking kids out with you, try a Z Man Finesse TRD on an EWG ned. I had a couple of questions this last week about trout fishing at CJ. Best bet right now is to troll - I’m sticking with Kokabow tackle or just an old school wedding ring. You’ll find more trout right now around the main bowl - spend some time around the dam and the Air Force ramp in 10-20’ of water.

Boise River: With the water down just a bit, it is fishing well! You might have to dodge the human hatch but if you spend a few hours on the water - you’re likely to get bit. Sent several customers here last week and two baits are crushing - Dynamic Lures HD Trout or Lucky Craft Pointer 65’s (kind of in the same category of baits so I’m counting them as 1) and shrimp under a float or on a split shot rig.

Boise River at Glenwood Bridge NR Boise ID

Monitoring location 13206000 is associated with a Stream in Ada County, Idaho. Current conditions of Discharge and Gage height are available. Water data back to 1938 are available online.

waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/13206000/#dataTypeId=continuous-00065-0&period=P7D&showMedian=false

Brownlee: Still roughly 3’ from full right now at 2074. We’re dealing with some of the summer doldrums here as well. Fish are still biting but you are likely to experience some periods of inactivity that might be 3-4 hours long. Bass have been the most consistent species to catch and I’d expect to catch them early on Strike King 3/5XD’s as well as a topwater popper. I’m going to be prepared to fish deeper with an IRR Tungsten Finesse Jig, Carolina rigged Zoom Fluke, a Senko on a IRR Wacky Jig or as a Neko Rig with a Cipher Tungsten Nail and if you are live scoping, I’m throwing the new Cipher Fishing Elite Scoper head on a Rapala Crush City Mooch Minnow. Drop shot? 100%!! Love a Roboworm nose hooked at Brownlee. Another suggestion would be a tube jig fished slowly - the LOVE tubes in the summer. For the crappie, you need to be on the move and actively looking for them on your electronics. Trolling the same baits and techniques as mentioned in the CJ report would be a great idea. If you find a big school - run a 3” Keitech Easy Shiner through them. The crappie have been BIG here - give em a good meal!

Snake River: Lots of frustration and small fish from the river right now. Grass is everywhere! Definitely fish to be caught however. Take a 4.5” Roboworm and Texas rig it on a drop shot with a Rebarb hook - great way to fish in the weeds. I’d have a Texas rigged craw of some kind - Zoom UV is one of my favorites and I’d probably have a topwater rigged up as well. Catfishing has been hit or miss but for some - EXCELLENT!! The guys that have reported the most success are SHALLOW.

Wilson Springs: No report.

Lake Lowell: Hit or miss right now. Early and best seem to be the best times for most. There are some fish to be caught on the frog. If you are struggling to get them to eat it - try working it faster than you think. I was out on Lowell Monday Night! Minutes before this newsletter sends. I caught them very well!! Two guys at the dock said it absolutely sucked. The difference?? I was working the frog darn near like a buzzbait and they were using a much slower cadence. For flipping, the Big Bite Baits FAFO is almost sold out for a reason. I’d have zero hesitation throwing a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver or Kinky Beaver right now. For a sneaky presentation that I assure you they aren’t seeing a ton of, grab a Z Man Big TRD and set up a Tiny Childs Rig…

Cascade Reservoir: Tough right now for most. That includes bass and perch. Doing this for as long as I have and talking to as many anglers as I do - I should mention that tough means “longer periods of not catching” - not that you won’t catch anything. Trolling is really effective for perch and trout and I have a good customer that catches a ton of smallies on the Carp colored Shad Rap trolling - he gave me permission to tell ya 🙂! As the water temps rise, I like to start looking around creeks and in areas that I think might have cooler water. Often times that means I am in deeper water NEXT to coves with creeks. Take a look at bait recommendations from CJ Strike and Brownlee for the bass here at Cascade. Its junk fishing time - lots of stuff is working.

Horsethief Reservoir: No report.

Owyhee Reservoir: Still fishing well but starting to notice some much tougher days mixed in. Its hot guys - this is just what we get for a few months. A good bet is to just fish deep. Carolina rigs are a great weapon against deep summer bass. With a ¾ or 1oz weight, you can cover a lot of deeper water very effectively. Once you find a bass or two - pay attention to why and see if you can start to replicate the pattern. I love a 6XD or 8XD in Chartreus and Blue. There will be some fish that spend some time up shallow - 8-15’. Target them with Neko rigs. Go spend some time on bluff walls and you are likely to find both bass and crappie. The crappie have still been pretty easy to find and catch - great for bank anglers.

Owyhee River: I love fishing the “O” in the heat - the crowds are usually a bit smaller and the cold freaking water feels amazing on 100 degree days! I’d have a selection of Hoppers and streamers for the fly rod and I’d have a Lucky Craft Pointer 65 or a 2.8” Keitech…they’ll DESTROY a Keitech…

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!! FINALLY!!! No Reports.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Pretty dang full and fishing ok for kokanee and trout. It’s a busy reservoir when its hot out though - big time spot for the swamp boats. As we are getting closer and closer to August, you might start focusing your efforts around creek mouths and river mouths. Pinks and Oranges have been dominant but don’t be scared to throw the darker dodgers as the fish are deeper…

Arrowrock Reservoir: No report this week.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: KOKANEE FACTORY! Lots of fish still being caught. Kokabow Tackle Pro Staffer Chris Zacato took a bunch of young men and they found 70+ in 30-50’ of water with pinks and greens! Bass fishing is excellent - for little bass 😂. For bigger fish, go follow kokanee schools around and fish by them or spend some time with Carolina rigs in 25+ deep water. A popper early might hook a kid for life….

Payette Lake: SAME REPORT AS LAST WEEK! Crowded. But fish are biting and the size is decent - 12-16”. Look around 30-40’ and I’m hearing mostly about pinks and oranges.

QUICK THANK YOU TO ALAN WITH KOKABOW TACKLE FOR THE KOKANEE REPORTS TODAY!! THIS GUY JUST CONTINUES TO WORK SO HARD TO HELP THE COMMUNITY CATCH THESE FISH!

If you would like to book a trip with Alan, he is guiding through Fish and Fur Outfitters. Cost is $250 per seat - 2 person minimum and I can tell from first hand experience - if you want to learn how to get in the game - its worth every penny! He guides on Anderson and Payette Lake!

Local Ponds: Dealing with lots of moss…it kind of sucks!!

Sun Hoodies Selling Quickly, New Patterns, Reaction Innovations Restock, Class this Week, New Cipher Product Launch!

Sun Hoodies are selling quickly and we are sold out of some sizes!! I have two new designs coming but it will be 3-4 weeks before we see them!! The fabric is amazing and we spent A LOT of money on it. When you see them, you’ll know what I mean. It is a cooling fabric that feels cool to the touch and has a 50upf sun block rating. The three piece hood fits perfectly over an IRR hat - that was by design 😂
Check out the new Cipher Fishing Elite Scoper Head!! This is a 98% Tungsten head with a custom Kotae hook designed specifically for use with Elaztech style baits and more slender minnow baits. Currently ONLY AVAILABLE on TackleWarehouse.com and at Idaho Rod and Reel!!
Huge Reaction Innovations Restock!! Includes a couple of hard to find Vixens…
WEDNESDAY!! New Class being offered by Jordan Rodriguez with Tight Lines 208 - ALPINE FISHING! Class will be held at the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center on July 16, from 6-8pm. Cost is $50 and includes an Alpine Fishing Starter Kit. Did you know there are over 3700 Alpine Lakes in Idaho?! Jordan does…tired of the crowds?? This is for you. Sign up at tightlines208.com.
Help us as we try to raise money to send Eli and Grady to High Schools Nationals to represent Idaho!! Idaho Rod and Reel has donated a Link Casting Rod and a Daiwa Tatula SV to help the boys raise money! Tickets to win the rod and reel are $5ea and ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE BOYS!! This is an expensive trip! They’re amazing young men!! Please help if you can.
All Link and Imperium Rods are SOLD OUT except for a FEW TECH RODS!! Great for throwing light crankbaits and Keitechs up to 3/8oz. One of my personal favorite rods…
C.A.S.T. 4 KIDS is coming up!! We need boaters! This is an absolutely amazing event!! See the flyer below for more info. Please consider helping and being part of this amazing program. Help us give these amazing kids a day they will remember for a long time.
Something big is coming for Idaho Rod and Reel…hints are out there…
Can’t wait for you to see the new Cipher Fishing product that will be out soon!! Available at Tackle Warehouse and Idaho Rod and Reel first!
New and In-Stock this week: Reaction Innovations, Zoom Plastics, Daiwa Rods and Reels, Shimano Reels, Izorline, Seaguar, X Braid, Evergreen Baits
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

Great for Fishing RIGHT NOW!!

Technically Speaking...

Understanding Side Scan

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Dock Upgrade at CJ

Dock upgrade begins at C.J. Strike-Narrows; public access closed until Aug. 1

Idaho Power’s recreation access point in the section of C.J. Strike Reservoir known as The Narrows, is closed until Aug. 1 while the company upgrades the docks there.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/dock-upgrade-begins-cj-strike-narrows-public-access-closed-until-aug-1

Salmon Update!

Upper Salmon River Chinook Fishery update: 7/9/25

idfg.idaho.gov/article/upper-salmon-river-chinook-fishery-update-7925

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

CAST for Kids!!