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Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
December 09, 2024

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Good fishing reported for crappie, perch and trout. Much tougher reports for those hunting bass. Perch have been in 25’ and pinned to the bottom. Small plastics or just jig heads tipped with nightcrawler have been effective, as have Z Man Micro Baits on Micro Shroom heads. For the crappie, depth reports have varied and the range is large. I’m hearing everything from 10’ and up against the steeper banks in the narrows to 40’ out in the main bowl. Jigging raps and 2-3” Keitech Easy Shiners have been VERY effective. Tip both with a crappie nibble! CJ trout fishing is really good in the cold weather. Salmo Hornets, Shad Raps, Flicker Shads and spoons are awesome this time of year. You should be seeing fish in the 10-15’ range - will be some deeper no doubt but these shallow fish will EAT! The bass game has been a bit trickier. I like the main bowl this time of year and I’d recommend slowing your retrieves WAY down. I’m hearing some 40 degree and sub 40 degree water temps. If that’s true, we should have plenty of fish in deeper wintering locations. They’re not done eating though - just slowing down a bit. Keitechs, blade baits, jigs and Carolina rigs are good options.

Boise River: Steelie catches are slowing down but there are definitely still fish to be caught. The number 1 and 2 baits that I know are working are Black jigs and soft beads. Just a friendly reminder to be aware of those around you - especially if you are wading. Some not so happy stories about some yelling and pushing matches…This is a great time to target large browns in the river. Look for deeper pockets with access to current seams and some kind of cover like overhanging branches. Small cranks and jerkbaits are my preference for the bigger fish. Dynamic Lures HD Trout with just a little lead weight on the bellies, Shad Raps and small Flatfish fished downstream are good options. Tough to beat shrimp on a jig head as well. Steelhead stocking Locations:

Glenwood Bridge, Americana Bridge, Below the Broadway Avenue Bridge behind BSU, West Parkcenter Bridge, Barber Park

Brownlee: Water is up 2’ from last week - 2065 right now. 2077 is full so plenty of water in the system. For those asking, Spring ramp is definitely open and can even launch on the new ramp - dock is not in the water. Reports of water temps getting close to 40 have me wanting to recommend the same stuff as I did for CJ. Read that report above. Look for gradually sloping banks that are a mix of sand and rock - fish slow and stay in contact with the bottom. I’d be looking in 20 to 30’ of water. Don’t ignore bluffs - they can suspend off these and generally position themselves RIGHT up against it. Couple reports of some really big crappie being caught. Customer with the report was throwing a Keitech Fat Swing Impact 2.8 in green pumpkin on a 1/8oz head.

Snake River: While there have been a couple of good reports for bass on the river, I would say most are struggling mightily. Not a reason not to go as there are definitely fish to be caught. Couple things to try and help ya…go on the warmest day of the week if you can, fish deeper water associated with eddies - meaning, stay out of the deep water that is in the main current, fish slow and don’t ignore the shallow water entirely. My bet is that more fish will be caught in 8-10’ but some will be spending some amount of time in shallower stuff adjacent to deeper water. Blade baits, Tungsten Finesse Jigs and Keitechs are all great options. If the water isn’t too grassy - try a Staysee 90 or 110 jerkbait.

Wilson Springs: Lots of little guys being caught here right now on powerbait and nightcrawler.

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: Some ice! Getting thicker by the day. Sounds like there is plenty of sketchy ice so definitely be careful! For most current report call Tackle Toms 208-382-4367.

Horsethief Reservoir: No report but sounds like we have ice here as well!

Owyhee Reservoir: Some ok reports on crappie - nothing on bass. For the crappie, it has been a Keitech, small plastic and Idaho Rod and Reel hand tied jig thing. Sounds like the schools are big and not hard to find on electronics. One customer recommended “School Hopping” as not all had fish willing to eat - sounds like typical cold water crappie.

Owyhee River: No report this week.

Duck valley: No report.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Alan with Kokabow Tackle is reporting that LP was pretty decent last week for trout and Kokes. Pink stuff and shallow.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Alan with Kokabow Tackle is reporting that the trout are biting at Arrowrock. Not much being reported in the way of Kokanee. Just a simple wedding ring will do the trick!

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Roads are ok - watch the weather - and Kokanee are eating! Again, Alan with Kokabow is reporting fish are on top and eating pinks and oranges.

Local Ponds: Stocked trout are the main targets - powerbait, small spoons and flies behind a water bobber!

Shop News - Hoodies!, Fish with Bassmaster Elite Angler Cody Meyer, New Link and Imperium Rod Pre-Order, We are SOLD OUT, Christmas Deals, HAND TIED BOXES to go on Sale this Week - VERY FEW AVAILABLE!

We’re trying hard to provide some cool opportunities through the shop and this is one of the coolest! For every $100 you spend in the shop from now until Christmas, you will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to spend a DAY ON THE WATER WITH CODY MEYER! Cody has qualified for the Bassmaster Elite Series and has fished the MLF tour with more than 30 top tens and has earned more than 1 Million Dollars on pro tours.
Our annual food drive is still going and will up until Christmas. Bring in a canned food item and I will trade you a hat! We work with a few local food banks and churches that provide meals for folks during these cold months of the year.
NEW LINK AND IMPERIUM RODS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER on 12/10! All pre-order rods will include 2 tickets for the Cody Meyer raffle. We expect delivery to be just a few days before Christmas. NEW LINK MODELS INCLUDE: 7’5” Heavy/Fast Casting (Cork and Graphite Handle), 7’6” Medium Light/X Fast Casting (Cork and Graphite Handle) - Keitech Rod!, Medium Light/X Fast Spinning (Cork and Graphite Handle). NEW IMPERIUM MODELS INCLUDE: 7’ Light/X Fast Spinning (Cork Handle) and a 6’6” Ultra Light/Fast Spinning (Graphite Handle). These rods are without a doubt, one of the best values in fishing - proprietary high modulus blanks (have to spend over $300 to get a similar G Loomis blank!!) and ALL FUJI components.
WE ARE SOLD OUT of Cork Handle Link Medium/Fast Spinning Rods and getting very low on certain models including the 7’3” MH Link Casting, 7’1” Medium/Fast Link Spinning and the 7’ Imperium L/Fast Spinning.
Please help! Idaho Rod and Reel will take a portion of our profits generated during the Thanksgiving/Christmas season to help families in our valley that fins themselves in a tough spot this year. If you happen to find yourself in a tough spot, or know someone that is, we’d love to talk to you about helping put a few packages under a tree or a nice meal on a table.
We have Stocking Bags now as well!! $50ea and come full with great stuff perfect for stockings!
Christmas Mystery Tackle Boxes will be PACKAGED in DAIWA CINCH BAGS THIS YEAR! If you’re significant other never knows what to get you for Christmas - or the angler in your life is tough to shop for…We will start taking orders for our Christmas Mystery Tackle Boxes! These are hand curated boxes meant to make Christmas shopping for that tackle junky in your life simple and fun! There are $50, $100 and $150 available but we will build to whatever dollar amount fits your budget. Each box comes with a FREE RAFFLE TICKET for an Idaho Rod and Reel Link or Imperium Rod that will be raffled off a few days after Christmas!
There will be a limited run of Christmas Mystery Tackle Boxes that include all hand tied baits…only a few will be available. These boxes will include: HAIR JIGS, CHATTERBAITS, FOOTBALL JIGS, STEELHEAD JIGS, PANFISH JIGS, BUZZ BAITS, FINESSE NED JIGS and MORE.
NEW T SHIRTS ARE IN STOCK! Super soft cotton and only $12.99!
HOODIES will be IN STOCK on WEDNESDAY! VERY LIMITED RUN! Sizes Medium thru 3XL - first come, first served! See pic below!
Limited run BEANIES coming soon!
A fun collab with the Tower Grill in Nampa!! Purchase any Idaho Rod and Reel Link or Imperium Rod and you will receive 2 Cody Meyer raffle tickets AND a $20 gift card to the Tower Grill. Limited quantity available! When they’re gone, they’re gone!
If you are interested in ordering Tungsten products in bulk and saving some money, contact us and we will get you the order form! The more we have that participate, the lower the price we can get!
The FIRST EPISODE OF TACKLE TALK TUESDAY will launch this week!! I hope! Its recorded, now I just gotta edit the dang thing!
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

I kinda want one 🤫

Technically Speaking...

It’s not as hard as you think!!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Love this for our Trout Anglers!

Idaho Fish and Game partnering with City of McCall to improve access on the North Fork Payette River in McCall

Idaho Fish and Game and the City of McCall are planning to submit a funding proposal for a project to improve conditions at an existing access area on the North Fork Payette River in McCall.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/idaho-fish-and-game-partnering-city-mccall-improve-access-north-fork-payette-river-mccall

I love catching these!

Anglers: Take advantage of this overlooked ‘mountain’ fishing opportunity as winter picks up

Hunkered down along the cobbles of nearly every Idaho river or stream is a plentiful opportunity with a misguided reputation. As winter picks up, take advantage of this “mountain” fishing opportunity and set your sights on the mountain whitefish.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/anglers-take-advantage-overlooked-mountain-fishing-opportunity-winter-picks

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

Upper Salmon River Fall 2024 Steelhead Fishing Update (12-03-2024)

idfg.idaho.gov/article/upper-salmon-river-fall-2024-steelhead-fishing-update-12-03-2024