Hook Points
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Hook Points

Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
November 03, 2025

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Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Fishing well - little tougher but still plenty of bass, crappie and perch to be caught! Sounds like Simco Road is open-ish…Jordan Rodriguez from Tight Lines 208 said it was open for him Sunday morning but they ran into a 10 minute delay on the way home. Crappie are pretty spread out. One commonality that I put together was that on the windy days, vertical jigging on deeper schools, 20-40’ of water, was the better way to fish. On less windy days, trolling was king. For vertical fishing, I’m going with the Rapala Jigging Rap as its streamlined profile cuts through the water better and on windy days, that’s a big deal. For trolling, Flicker Shads in purple was highly recommended for the second week in a row. 80-100’ setbacks and speeds of 1.5ish with some turns. Start fairly close to the bank and work your way out. Bass have been in schools - if you’re on em, you’re probably on quite a few. The IRR Tungsten Finesse jig accounted for several catches as did Roboworms on drops shots, the 5” Bass Mafia Daingerous swim baits and 3.3 Keitechs on 3/16oz Cipher Fishing heads. I’d also have a crankbait, Carolina rigged fluke and a spinnerbait for those running up the Snake River side.

Boise River: Love the Boise when it’s cold! Cranks, jerkbaits, jig heads and small minnow baits are all awesome. Try a soft bead under a float - you’ll probably grab a few White Fish this way! Spinners and spoons are good right now as well - lots of happy-to-chase trout right now.

How to Spot Trout Redds

Spawning trout 101

There is an important distinction between fishing to spawning trout and char and fishing during the spawn. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the latter, but practicing the former might get you drawn and quartered in some parts of the country where casting over active redds means you might be pulling big fish away from a nest or a mate.

www.hatchmag.com/articles/spawning-trout-101/7715210

Brownlee: Water levels are at 2059.5 - up another 2-ish feet from last week. Algae warning is still in affect and you can launch from the Spring Rec site using the old ramp. Lots of bass to be caught right now. If you are looking for a decent bank fishing spot, spend some time around Woodhead dragging Texas rigs, throwing Keitech swimbaits, EWG Ned rigs and drop shots with Roboworms or Keepers worms Texas rigged with straight shank hooks like the Owner Cover Shot - all baits that can be fished in the snaggy rocks in the coves around Woodhead. From the boat, no way I would be without a Carolina rigged fluke - just good ol’ green pumpkin should be fine. I’d have a drop shot, Keitech or Rapala Crush City Mooch Minnow in either green pumpkin or electric shad, a crankbait, jerkbait and maybe an A-rig?? Crappie fishing has been good - a little tough for some but the ones you do find are worth the effort…bigs! I would recommend looking at areas where bluffs turn to sand or gravel - lots of these types of places at Brownlee. You’re likely to find fish suspended over 40ish feet at 25. Your favorite plastic should do the trick - I like the Northland Tackle baits or the Big Bite Baits Kamikaze Swim Ons on 1/8oz jig heads - tipped with crappie nibbles.

Snake River: Reports have been pretty consistent for good numbers of smaller fish. The IRR Tungsten jig should most definitely be tied on!! I like the Zoom UV Speed Craws as trailers but lots of other options would work for sure! Small Keitech Swim baits, Mooch Minnows, Neko Rigged Senkos in natural shad or green pumpking will work and in areas that aren’t really grassy, try a shallow diving crank and a jerkbait!

Wilson Springs: Lots of little fish caught by a few different customers this week. Powerbait was the deal! Small bit of it on a finesse 1/8oz Carolina/Split Shot rig.

Lake Lowell: No Report.

Cascade Reservoir: Really solid reports for perch but I only heard from 3-4 guys. All of them had success trolling around the island with Flicker Shads, Shad Raps and Salmos. Heard from a few bass guys late last week that caught some good perch on blade baits and 3.3 Keitechs while they were targeting bass. Sounds like they were around the rocks at Crown Point. If you’re targeting bass, look for shallow bass early and be prepared to fish deeper for a good part of the day. I’d have a drop shot, Keitech on a 3/16oz Cipher Fishing Tungsten Ball Head, Carolina rig, Jerkbait and a lipless.

Horsethief Reservoir: No report.

Owyhee Reservoir: TOUGH!! For bass…still plenty of crappie. Weird how tough the bass fishing has been after a great spring and summer but everyone I am talking to is really struggling to find good numbers of bass. Sounds like there are good ones to be caught if you’re willing to put in the time. From the catches I know of, the fish are deep and being caught on heavy jigs, shakey heads and drop shots.

Owyhee River: No report this week.

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!! FINALLY!!!

No Report

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Couple decent reports from a couple of anglers that were targeting trout. They had success with pink and orange dodgers and baits from Kokabow.

Arrowrock Reservoir: No Report

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: No Report.

Payette Lake: No report.

Local Ponds: Some big bass have been caught on glides and LOTS of our ponds have been stocked with trout. This colder weather is great for these trout!! Crappie jigs are awesome for trout and super cheap!! Powerbait and little chunks of nightcrawler are great for stockers!!

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Steelhead Class!!, Allonas Angels, Food Drive, DAIWA Bibs and Free Rods?!,

_{FREE STEELHEAD CLASS!! Join Hells Canyon Adventures Steelhead, Salmon and Sturgeon Guide Cody Ard as he teaches us all about the fall steelhead run! He will go over the biology, routes, gear and techniques required to catch these awesome fish! Class will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 5th at the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Food, drinks, friends and fishing! Sign up is live at}_{idahorodandreel.com}_{under the “Classes” tab.}
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/
OUR ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE HAS STARTED!! Bring us in a canned food item and we will trade you a hat! This can be a tough time of the year for so many. Help us help some of those around us! Fishy people are good people! Thank you to all of you that have donated so far! Been a phenomenal success already.
new for 2026!! Daiwa/Goretex Bibs are IN STOCK! Love the look, feel and construction of these. Buy a set of bibs and we will throw in an Idaho Rod and Reel LINK or IMPERIUM rod for FREE!
^{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

This is NUTS!!

Technically Speaking...

Is it Time??

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Closed Temporarily

F&G temporarily closes public access at the Eagle Fish Hatchery for asphalt resurfacing

Idaho Fish and Game is temporarily closing sportsmen access at the Eagle Fish Hatchery while construction crews resurface roads and parking lots on the property. The closure is from Monday to Friday and is expected to last until Nov. 7.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/fg-temporarily-closes-public-access-eagle-fish-hatchery-asphalt-resurfacing

Steelhead/Salmon UPDATE!

Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (10-28-2025)

idfg.idaho.gov/article/upper-salmon-river-steelhead-fishing-report-10-28-2025

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 on Jig Trailers