Hook Points
Posts
Hook Points

Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
November 17, 2025

In partnership with

Fishing Reports

The best marketing ideas come from marketers who live it.

That’s what this newsletter delivers.

The Marketing Millennials is a look inside what’s working right now for other marketers. No theory. No fluff. Just real insights and ideas you can actually use—from marketers who’ve been there, done that, and are sharing the playbook.

Every newsletter is written by Daniel Murray, a marketer obsessed with what goes into great marketing. Expect fresh takes, hot topics, and the kind of stuff you’ll want to steal for your next campaign.

Because marketing shouldn’t feel like guesswork. And you shouldn’t have to dig for the good stuff.

Subscribe Free

CJ Strike: Mixed reports for bass but good reports for crappie and trout! For crappie and trout, spend some time in the main bowl, just a little bit up the Snake River arm and in the narrows. From my experience, you’ll find a few more trout around the mouth to the Snake River arm than you will in the narrows. Loving any of the Flicker Shads with purple in them and perch/firetiger patterns. Try 80-100’ behind the boat, 1.5mph and get those S turns in there. One customer told me that adding a 1oz trolling weight when it’s windy will make all the difference. Bass fishing has been good in terms of size but not so good in terms of number of catches reported. However…there are a few guys catching quite a few. Fish will be spread out in the water column. Plenty of 20-25’ deep fish to be caught on drop shots, Carolina rigs and blade baits - but don’t forget about those big shallow cruisers that will eat a jerkbait, weightless fluke and a Keitech. I’d be leaning hard on those Keitechs right now…

Boise River: Steelhead are coming!

Approximately 200 total steelhead will be released into the Boise River at the usual locations:

Glenwood Bridge
Americana Bridge
Below the Broadway Avenue Bridge, behind Boise State University
West Parkcenter Bridge
Barber Park

The fish will be released in equal numbers at these five stocking locations. Fish and Game cannot provide exact stocking times, but generally, it occurs between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

WHAT TO THROW!!! It seems like spinners catch a ton of the early fish. I’d have a smaller bobber rig with a jig, a bead and/or shrimp! You do not need specialized equipment for these fish - it’s more efficient and useful but not 100% necessary. SEVERAL were caught last year on a medium spinning rod with just a spinner or bottom bouncing a jig and shrimp. Don’t overthink this!! These fish have been in captivity for a bit…they’re ready to chase a little 😉

Brownlee: SAME REPORT AS LAST WEEK!! Good fishing right now! Water levels are at 2063.8 - 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. Bank anglers!! Spend some time around Woodhead - at this water level, you will have access to lots of good water. Try just a Keitech or curly tail grub on a jig head casting purpendicular to the bank. While I don’t generally recommend hard baits for bank anglers, a shallow jerkbait has a good chance of getting bit and not snagged up - remember to throw some “up jerks” into that retrieve as you get closer to the bank! Keeps that bait out of the rocks and the bass like the change of direction! From the boat, Keitechs, blades, cranks and jerkbaits are great options - minnow patterns. Guys are catching crappie - schools are in 10-20’ and seem to be positioned around some steeper banks as well as the mouths of coves.

Snake River: Good fishing - lots of grass and overall, generally clear water. Keitechs, IRR Tungsten Finesse Jigs and shallow diving cranks - all going to get bit! From the bank - TUBE!

Wilson Springs: No Report.

Lake Lowell: No Report.

Cascade Reservoir: Overall, great reports for perch and I have not heard a thing about the bass fishing. For the perch, trolling while looking for schools is a great idea. Once you find them, try a jigging rap, drop shot with nightcrawlers or a 1/4oz blade bait. This is a great time of the year for some trout as well! Get out the purple Shad Raps or Flicker Shads! Whites work great as do the orange and brown patterns. Stop in and see the guys at Freedom Outdoors for more tips as well.

Horsethief Reservoir: No report.

Owyhee Reservoir: Crappie - fire. Bass - huh? Where’d they go?? Crappie fishing is darn near easy - lots of em to throw at. They’re in just about every cove and around every rock point. The bass fishing remains pretty tough. The few fish caught that I know of have been deep on shakey heads. Not really how I want to fish right now!! I like late fall shallow bass…

Owyhee River: I encourage folks to wait a minute to fish here as there are lots of spawning Brown trout and we don’t want to disturb their redds. I spoke to Chris with Boise River Guides and he confirmed that their are tons of Browns spawning. I don’t get on a soap box very often but I have seen first hand and did quite a bit of research on habitat damage to spawning browns. Let’s leave them alone for a few weeks so we have a shot at good ones for years to come!!

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!!

Trolling flies on Mountain View is good when the weather is right!! A little breeze, GO!! Lots of breeze, stay home.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: No Report.

Arrowrock Reservoir: No Report

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: No Report

Local Ponds: Lots of trout stocking! Powerbait and small chunks of nightcrawler are great ideas for these stockers. Check out the downtown Boise ponds for some bigger bass - glides and senkos!!

Black Friday, Custom Hand Tied Stuff! - Will Go Fast!, Food Drive Update, Christmas Help Update, CAREER OPPORTUNITY!!, More Pre-Order for New Link and Imperium Models Coming Soon!, Allonas Angels, SKIRTS and NEEDLES

We will be open on Black Friday! Some great deals and fun to be announced next week…gonna be GOOD!!
Just wanted to take a second to say THANK YOU to everyone that has participated in our food drive!! In only a matter of two weeks, we have been able to round up two full truckloads of food that was distributed right back into our communities. We work with an organization that provides home cooked meals - the food is not sitting around and waiting or being misused!! It is being cooked and fed to people a little down on their luck right now. THANK YOU!!! Bring in a canned food item and I will trade you a hat! Please 1 per customer.
CHRISTMAS HELP!! If you are a family in need this time of year, WE WOULD LOVE TO HELP! Thanks to the support of the people in this community, IRR takes a portion of our profits and provides Christmas for families that are struggling here in the valley. If you, or someone you know, could use a little help, PLEASE ASK!! I know how difficult it can be but it is the mission of this shop to SERVE in the community! Please help us fulfill our mission!
CAREER OPPORTUNITY!! As many of you know by now, Cody Murray and I purchased J and H Sales and Marine. We are looking for an apprentice to train under a mechanic that Mercury considers one of the top 5 mechanics in the country! If you are interested in a CAREER in the fishing/boating industry, COME TALK TO ME at Idaho Rod and Reel or talk to Cody at J and H Sales and Marine!
We should be seeing several models of Link and Imperium rods this MONTH! As per usual, we will have a Pre-Order period. This helps us deal with the significant up front cost for the rods but also provides our customers with a great rod at a really good price. We hope its a win/win for everyone.
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/
We just received a huge shipment of rubber skirting material for making your own jigs and fuzzy baits! Needles in stock as well!
^{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

Enjoyed this!

Technically Speaking...

Spooling your baitcaster

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Steelhead on the Boise

Steelhead are coming to the Boise River on Nov. 21

Approximately 200 total steelhead will be released into the Boise River, split equally between the usual locations. Fish and Game cannot provide exact stocking times, but generally, it occurs between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/steelhead-are-coming-boise-river-nov-21

Steelhead/Salmon UPDATE!

Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (11-12-2025)

idfg.idaho.gov/article/upper-salmon-river-steelhead-fishing-report-11-12-2025

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

Thoughts? We have sold out twice…