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Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
March 02, 2026

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Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Great reports this past week from CJ anglers - and quite a few of them! Thank you for being willing to help other anglers!! Crappie fishing was better this past week for sure. Most of the reports we received stated that there are quite a few crappie up the Snake River arm with better perch fishing in the narrows. For the perch, try multi hook rigs with a ned or small weight on the bottom - drop shot style. Little pieces of nightcrawler will work, as will small soft plastics. More than one angler mentioned that they were seeing eggs in the perch they were filleting as well as a few dropping eggs on the water. Look in 30-40’ for these schools. Crappie have been on the move and I was told that you need to look for the singles outside the large schools of small crappie. Jigging raps and small Z Man plastics were working. From the trollers, I heard about quite a few limits of trout being caught on Flicker Shads and Shad Raps. Great reports from the bass anglers. The warmer water is up the Snake River side and there are quite a few active fish in the main bowl. If it were me, I’d have a decent selection of cranks in reds and firetiger, an IRR Tungsten Finesse Jig (good buddy Scott caught ANOTHER crayfish on a crappie jig…they’re down there and moving!) a drop shot or Ned rig and a 3.5” Z Man Scented Jerk Shad or 3.3 Keitech if I was targeting smallies. Not a bad time of the year to start looking for some shallower largemouth with a spinnerbait/chatterbait or a senko.

Boise River: Good reports from a few of my fly fishing buddies but not great reports for those throwing conventional tackle. As the water warms, these fish will get more active and start chasing spinners and jerkbaits a little better. I have no doubt they will still eat them right now but if you’re struggling, have a plan b. I love a small crappie jig or Berkley Power Nymph under a float, don’t discount a soft bead and a Berkley crawler on a drop shot. Tumbling a small piece of shrimp on a small split shot rig is a great idea. Deeper pools with access to mid depth riffle water is what I would be looking for.

Brownlee: Current water level is 2044.9, 1.5’ down from last week. You can still launch at the Spring ramp - but you will be using the old ramp. Remember that inside the “No Wake” Buoys at the Spring ramp is a rock pile that can be hit right now. Stay to the south side of the old ramp and all will be well! At this level, pay attention as in certain areas, there are rocks that are close to being exposed - especially around the Mountain Man Lodge area. Starting to fish really well - but not everywhere on the reservoir. If you aren’t getting bit in the first ten minutes - move! Lots of reports telling me that they had to move a lot to find them but then when they did, they found multiple fish in a small area. Crankbaits, jigs, Keitechs, drop shots and neds!! While the crappie fishing hasn’t been insane - the bass guys are catching good ones!! Might be time to get after it!

Snake River: Some better reports this week with some being contradictory. Couple guys said they couldn’t touch a fish with a crankbait while shop manager Brian had a decent day with a crankbait! Timing, sunlight, bottom composition all could have been the difference. The one bait that is catching on the river with regularity right now is the NED! I’d have one of those rigged up for sure!

Wilson Springs: Good bite reported this week for fish that were just stocked. Powerbait!!

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Lake Lowell: We have a report this week! There are some fish starting to move around a bit and can be caught along the dam with a senko and a chatterbait! As the water warms, bank opportunities at Lowell will only get better and better!!

Cascade Reservoir: If you’re going to grab a jumbo through the ice…better hurry! Sounds like the edges of the reservoir are getting pretty sketchy - hard ice to fish on other than that. With the weather coming, Jeff with Freedom Outdoors is telling us its probably time to prepare for open water fishing pretty soon.

Horsethief Reservoir: No report this week. Check with the awesome shops in Cascade!!

Owyhee Reservoir: We are starting to hear about crappie being caught from the banks. Nothing huge but decent numbers. ALSO! At least one bass has been caught that I know of 🤣! I don’t think that the Owyhee can stay slow forever - start off the season with a Keitech and a drop shot for smallies and take a look shallow with a spinnerbait and a senko for green ones. Crappie are still everywhere…

Owyhee River: A little bit slower than it should be in my opinion for the guys throwing gear. Fly anglers are doing well - which means downsize your conventional tackle. Small glass beads, Berkley Worms and crappie jigs with trimmed skirts on simple split shot rigs or bobber rigs.

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!!

No Report.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Ok reports this week but mostly for trout. If you’re looking for kokes, stay on top and play around with colors. Water has been rising and have heard that its off color in some areas. Kokes don’t like that dark water….

Arrowrock Reservoir: Good reports from Arrowrock last week. Doesn’t sound like everyone is catching limits of Kokes but most are at least catching a few. Fish are on top and loving pink and black/orange dodgers. From one customer that spends quite a bit of time Kokanee fishing - the hoochies are catching trout and the bugs and spinners are catching the kokanee. Moody little fish!! We have sold some Berkley Maggots this week as guys learned about how to use them to keep corn on their hooks.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Got a few reports today that you can launch pretty easy down by the dam and that Curlew is clear. Lots of SMALL fish down by the dam - but the numbers are good! Couple guys did really well from Curlew to Lime Creek using all white dodgers and baits.

SALMON AND STEELHEAD BY CODY ARD!: Same as last week except with this addition: “Southfork got a spike in flows for a few days - its already back down to where it was. Fishing was great for those days!” The main part of the Clearwater run is between Orofino and Kooskia. The South Fork had a big push last month with good flows but has slowed down substantially with current lowering. North Fork is still producing some fish. Little Salmon is fishing quite well. The main Salmon upriver of Riggins is also fishing well. Last report I saw out of the upper - looking good! The ice jam is gone and water temps are still above freezing. For steelies - that’s really good. My money would be on the Little Salmon right now between Slick Rock and the falls. Boulder hole has been producing as well. Hard beads and soft beads as well as shrimp! We have coldwater = slow presentations. ANOTHER TIP FROM CODY - Don’t be afraid to fish high, muddy water. Just increase bead size and throw brighter colors. Fish we mostly be along the banks!

Local Ponds: No Reports from any ponds this week.

Idaho Sportsman Show Deals/Events, RED EYE RODS HAVE LANDED!, Spring Inventory has Brian Buried!, The Jig is Up?

WE ARE EXCITED to be at the Idaho Sportsman Show this week! Join us Thursday and Friday from 5-9pm, Saturday from 11am-9pm and Sunday 11am-4pm.
JIG TYYING FOR THE KIDS IS BACK! Come visit the booth and bring those kiddos with you! Let them tie their own jig and be entered into our Kids Jigs Contests!!
We will have great deals in the booth on top name brand products!! Reels by Daiwa and Shimano, baits from Evergreen, Strike King and More! Get to the booth early as these deals will go fast.
BOOTH HUNT! Join us this year and 6 other booths for a chance to win thousands in prizes. Visit Idaho Rod and Reel, Bunker Baits, Kokabow Fishing Tackle, J and H Sales and Marine, Western Fishing Operations, Faith Outdoors and Hells Canyon Adventures - scan our barcodes, ask us for our 4-digit codes and you are entered!!
The LIMITED EDITION RED EYE RODS HAVE LANDED and will ONLY BE AVAILABLE AT THE Idaho Sportsman Show! This is a 7’2” Medium Fast Spinning Rod inspired by my favorite fish - the smallmouth bass! This is a 44 ton, custom made blank - only available at Idaho Rod and Reel. WE DO NOT BUY BLANKS AND BUILD ON THEM!! WE actually manufacture these blanks and make them to our specs. Colors of the handle and thread wraps are a mix of browns, greens and red - all inspired by the smallmouth! We only have 100 of these rods and at the price we are going to sell them at, they won’t last long. What is that price?? $110…THESE WILL NOT LAST!!
As many of you have seen, our Spring inventory has arrived and more is showing up all the time!! Brian is burried! Tons of new baits and accessories to make this your best year of fishing yet!
As many of you have noticed, we do not have many IRR Tungsten Finesse Jigs left. This has been the best selling bait in our shop for over 2 years!! Why are we running out??! For those that don’t know, Tungsten pricing has increased SIGNIFICANTLY and there are no signs of it stopping any time soon. MAJOR brands have stopped manufacturing and factories are no longer taking orders. Many industry insiders are calling this the end of Tungsten fishing products. If you have a favorite IRR jig, better grab them while you can. DOES THAT MEAN THE JIG IS UP?? For most companies and brands, ya. But as small as we are, we aren’t most companies.
BEGINNING BASS FISHING CLASS COMING SOON!!
One of the things that makes us a little different is our commitment to manufacturing high quality products that improve the quality of fishing for our community. Link rods, Tungsten Finesse Jigs, Clothing, the new Forge Rods and more…WAIT TIL YOU SEE WHAT WE HAVE COMING IN 2026!! The shop theme for 2026 will be all about PB’s!! Gonna be fun…
^{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.}

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Learn about our hatcheries!

Get to know F&G's hatcheries: here are 10 cool facts about where many of your fish come from

You're probably aware of Idaho Fish and Game's fish hatcheries, but there's a lot going on behind the scenes and a lot of history. Here's a quick look at some of the amazing things they do to provide anglers with fish to catch.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/get-know-fgs-hatcheries-here-are-10-cool-facts-about-where-many-your-fish-come