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Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
March 10, 2025

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Still steadily producing. We have some interesting weather coming up so I expect a few tough days coming up but still plenty of good fishing to be had this week. CJ this time of the year can be a good bank fishing prospect - mostly for trout - but a mixed bag is likely. Simple nightcrawler or powerbait on downsized Carolina type rigs work really well. Bass fishing has picked up a bit. Lipless, jerkbaits, crankbaits and tail spins are good options right now. For a lipless, I’m throwing a Lucky Craft LV500 and I would have a good selection of not just red, but dark greens/browns with Chartreuse Spro RK Crawlers. Take a look at the new JDM Nishine jerkbaits featured in the new products pics below - great options for right now. The Duo Tails Spins have been fishing very well. Sturgeon reports have been excellent on several different kinds of baits - both on the reservoir and in the river below - the reservoir taking my vote if I’m going. Crappie fishing has been fair for some and a little tough for others. A really good way to fish CJ this time of year is with a Shad Rap or Flicker Shad, 100’ behind the boat and trolled at 1.3-1.5mph. A simple wedding ring still does a surprising amount of damage. Lots of good reports from folks trolling Kokabow dodgers and baits. These dodgers fish well at multiple speeds - one customer heard that less than a mph was the ticket today. When you find the crappie schools, I love a jigging rap. This trick was taught to me by Josh, a good friend of the shop and has not disappointed every time I fish it.

Boise River: Still fishable. Off color in some areas and I keep waiting for the report that the water has come up and is unfishable. As of 3/10, I haven’t heard that yet. I’ll be taking a few drives over the next couple days to see it for myself so that I can have up to date info for you. Can be a little touch and go with this river this time of year. Simple split shot rigs tipped with shrimp or nightcrawler are good options as are Little Cleo’s and other flutter style spoons as the water starts rising. Smaller baitfish are forced to move around a bit to find safety - which makes them readily available for bigger fish. Again, as the water rises and becomes off color, as long as it is safe to fish - it is not uncommon for fish to move out to the edges and be very shallow.

Brownlee: Water levels are at 2047.4 and rising - more than 3 feet since last weeks report. Slowing down but still rising. I personally fished this in a tourney this weekend where we WON WITH 2 FISH…only one other boat in a tournament with 27 boats caught fish - so read that again this way - out of 27 boats, 25 caught ZERO bass…skip this place for right now if you can. For those fishing the TVB tourney this upcoming weekend, might I suggest investing in some really good snacks! Just in case the fishing stays crappy - you’ll at least have something good to eat! Water was clearer in the Powder but colder. Lots of debris in the water so please be careful!

Snake River: Water is off color but don’t let that stop you. The river is fishing decent enough right now with a couple of great days mixed in. Bank anglers, this is a good option right now. The IRNR Tungsten Finesse jigs just continue to put fish in peoples hands. This remains the top selling bait in the shop for 2025 for good reason. I’d also have a selection of cranks and jerkbaits as well. If you haven’t seen or heard of Nishine Lure Works jerkbaits - you need to take a look!! The new 95 size is PERFECT for the river…

Wilson Springs: No report this week.

Lake Lowell: No report.

Motorized and Non-motorized boating are allowed April 15 to September 30. Human-powered boats are allowed 200 yards in front of the Upper and Lower Dams between October 1 and April 14. The rest of the lake is set aside for migrating and wintering wildlife.

Cascade Reservoir: Sounds like edges are starting to break up in some areas. Curious what this weeks colder forecast will do to that? I’d be calling Freedom Outdoors or Tackle Toms for sure if I was trying to head up to Cascade. Fishing reports have been really solid. As the weather warms, these guys start to get ready to spawn and become a bit more active, looking for spawning habitat. I would spend some time in 5-8’ although I am hearing good thing all the way out to 20’. Small worms on jigs and jigging spoons have been productive.

Horsethief Reservoir: No report this week.

Owyhee Reservoir: An almost full reservoir…fishing reports have not been exciting just yet. I’d probably hold off on this one for just a bit still.

Owyhee River: 3500 CFS - don’t fish this one. A kayaker disappeared on the Owyhee last week. Not a safe place to fish right now.

Duck valley: No Report.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Alan with Kokabow Tackle is reporting that a few kokes are being caught on top near the dam. I like white dodgers when the fish are on top - see pics below of 4 new white dodger colors below!

Arrowrock Reservoir: Alan with Kokabow Tackle just texted me a pic of AR with open water edges and ice…

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: One customer sent me a pic of them on the reservoir around Fall Creek but said the fishing was not as nice as the sunny day 😆! For the most part, I’m still hearing about ice and that Anderson isn’t ready just yet. Cool week ahead…will keep our eyes on what that does to it.

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: Starting to see pics of some pond bass and trout! Remember, a lot of the ponds warm up before the many of the reservoirs and can be great places to scratch that fish catching itch! For bass, try a chatterbait and a wacky rigged worm. For trout, keep it simple. Downsized Carolina rigs with nightcrawlers and powerbait.

CLASSES, Raffles, 2 GUNS! and March Madness!

Join us on Thursday March 20th from 6:30 to 8:30pm for a FREE CLASS on TOURNAMENT BASS FISHING taught by former FLW pro, Cody Murray. Come and learn about the mindset, techniques, tricks, baits, rigs and philosophies of high level tournament pros. Open to all and highly recommended for those fishing tournaments this year! Sign up will be live on Tuesday.
WE HAVE SOME WINNERS!! Congrats to all of the winners from our Idaho Sportsmen show raffles! ROD DRAWINGS COMING ON TUESDAY!
NEW WOMENS ONLY CLASS IS ON THE CALENDAR!! Join our instructor Ashley as she teaches a “How to Rig it” class!! As per usual, horsey derves (I don’t know how to spell that fancy word that just means “snacks” so leave me alone 😆 ), drinks and tons of great information in a LADIES ONLY ATMOSHPERE! Sign ups will go live on our website on Tuesday, 3/4. Class will be held at the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center on March 27th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm!
The TVB Bass Fishing Club is holding a raffle to raise money for their club. They are raffling off a Browning X-Bolt 6.5 PRC 26” Barrel with Tri-Pod. Tickets are $20/piece or 6 for $20 and only 200 tickets will be sold! Can be seen in the shop!!
Idaho Bass Masters Club is raffling of a Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison and 300 rounds of ammo with all of the proceeds going to fund their youth tournament prizes. Last year this tourney had over 60 kiddos!! Tickets are $20 a piece and 6 for $100.
New and In-Stock this week: Nishine Erie 95 Jerkbaits, Kokabow Dodgers, Little Cleo Spoons, WFO Soft Beads, Petersons Dodger bags, Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon, Daiwa Samurai Fluorocarbon, so many baits right now 😆
NEW HATS ON THE WAY!!
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

Really good video!

Technically Speaking...

The FG Knot! Braid to leader connections…

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

CJ Strike in the News!

Destination Idaho – C.J. Strike Reservoir, by Gary Lewis - Crappie Now

Six-year-old Tabor lofts a couple of big crappie from C.J. Strike Reservoir, an Idaho Lake where there is no limit on how many crappie you can keep. (Photo: Gary Lewis) Destination Idaho - C.J. Strike Reservoir by Gary Lewis "You ought to come over and go crappie fishing." My friend, Joal Reece, makes his home

crappienow.com/destination-idaho-c-j-strike-reservoir-by-gary-lewis

How to not suck at ice fishing…ok, I’m intrigued

How to Not Suck at Ice Fishing

Ice fishermen are the duck hunters of the fishing world. Diehards with a passion to be in the outdoors in less-than-ideal conditions a majority of the time. Just because you have a passion for it, however, doesn’t mean you won’t suck at it. Fish in the winter months can be pickier than a teenage...

www.themeateater.com/fish/ice-fishing/how-to-not-suck-at-ice-fishing

Current Trout Stocking

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

Steelhead Reports