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Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
May 05, 2026

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A NOTE FROM RYAN!

From time to time, you will notice ads in the newsletter. As the subscribership to Hook Points has grown considerably, the costs to produce it and host it have now become significant. We have no plans to stop producing the letter as so many of you have told us that you find it useful! I’m happy about that!! In order to help offset the costs, we are working with a company that will help us find advertisers that pay well for ad placement. We get paid per click! You do not need to sign up for anything! Please help us offset the costs of Hook Points by clicking on the links. Please do not feel obligated to do so but the help would be welcomed!!

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Good reports throughout most of the week. A few “meh” trips mixed in there but overall, you should be catching fish here. Crappie fishing has slowed compared to what it was a few weeks ago but I definitely wouldn’t call it slow! Lots of decent sized fish being caught. Trolling has been really good. The usual suspects like Flicker Shads and Shad Raps get bit but don’t forget about trolling things like soft plastics on underspins or even small trout spoons and spinners. If you are casting and retrieving, lots of crappie eating small perch and other crappies - keep those colors in mind when you make your selection. I’m a huge fan of Keitech soft plastics for big crappie - 3.3” are my favorite for them! Bass fishing has been excellent for small to medium sized fish. Lots of post spawn stuff happening so we have a lot of smaller males up shallow - usually eager, but smaller. Females are out roaming and recovering. I’d have a selection of 3.3 and 3.8” Keitechs, the Spro KGB Lil Guy glide bait, a jerkbait, a senko on a wacky rig and an IRR finesse jig.

Boise River: No Report.

Brownlee: Current water level is 2067 and unchanged in a week. Both of the spring ramps are usable. BE CAREFUL OF DEBRIS IN THE WATER!! Some of it is pretty dang big!! Great fishing being reported for cats, bass and crappie. The water is cleaner by the dam. Like CJ, lots of post spawn stuff happening for the bass. Plenty of bass in 10’ or less and they are happy to eat a jig, a Keitech, a drop shot, a jerkbait or Ned rig. Proverbial “Junk fishing”! Crappie are biting and not particularly deep. Throw 3” swimbaits for them!! I would use a lighter 1/8oz head on those baits. Lots of cats being caught and are easily accessible from the bank. Nightcrawlers, cut bait and if you’re me - jerkbaits!! LOL! I catch cats ALL THE TIME on jerkbaits…

Snake River: Fishing well but LOTS OF ANNOYING GRASS in some areas! Fish things like Texas rigs, EWG style Ned rigs and small swimbaits on belly weighted EWG hooks. Pay attention to the tag ends on your knots! Tie a palomar and cut that tag end pretty short - crazy how often a loose tag end catches one piece of grass that ruins a great cast!! Tie on a topwater as well and throw that around. I fished here Sunday and had an absolute blast with a Lobina Lures Rico! Lots of catfish being caught - they are shallow and on the prowl. Cut bait, some reasonably clear water and a little current break = fish on!

Wilson Springs: No Report.

Lake Lowell: Really fishing well! While some are absolutely smashing em, I’d say for most it has been consistent. Fish are more spread out than they were a week or so ago and you can catch a few out in the open water between pieces of structure. However, I’d be spending a fair amount of time rolling baits around the trees and weed edges or flipping right on into ‘em! Grab spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, buzzbaits, swim jigs and your favorite flipping bait and get after it. For me that is going to be a Booyah Compact, Jackhammer, Hand Tied Buzz (I can tie you one if you’d like!), Nomad Swim Jig and anything from Reaction Innovations or the Crush City Clean Up Craw!

Cascade Reservoir: Perch fishing is excellent, trout trolling is decent and the bass are a little tricky for most, really good for a few. For perch, start looking around rocky points and just outside the weed edges is what one customer told me. They found several good fish on their electronics in 15’ moving in good sized schools. Multi-jig rigs, soft plastics, nightcrawlers and small crankbaits will get you bit. Trolling is a great way to find a school and you are likely to pick up a few trout along the way. Perch and darker colored Flicker Shads are a great idea - try purple and whites for the trout. 1.2-1.5mph with 60’ set backs is a great place to start. For bass, look 15’ and in. Should be some shallow fish starting to show up. Catch them with jerkbaits, Keitechs, cranks and senkos. For smallies, one customer that had a great day reminded us that the darker bottom areas and rocks heat up first - holding fish to them. Something to consider!

Horsethief Reservoir: No Report.

Owyhee Reservoir: Quite a few shallow fish that will eat a spinnerbait, chatterbait and a buzzbait - take a look at the Big Bite Baits Buzz Toad. I’d also have a dark senko, 3.8” Keitech and I wouldn’t hesitate to drag a jig! You have bass in different stages of the spawn so be prepared! Crappie are everywhere and provide some good bank opportunities - start around the campgrounds and boat ramps. Coves are full of them! They’ll eat just about anything ya got!

Owyhee River: No report this week.

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!!

No Report.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: The trout to kokanee ratio is a little skewed right now! Like 5-6 trout to 1 Kokanee!! One customer found decent numbers of kokes deeper than I would have expected - in 25’. It was a warm winter and so maybe we are a few weeks ahead! We are selling a bunch of pink stuff right now for kokanee…

Arrowrock Reservoir: Like Lucky Peak, heavy on the trout. Best reports for kokes are around the South Fork on a black and orange dodger. If you are looking for a fun place to catch a ton of small bass with a kiddo, scout troop, youth group, etc - there are piles of them at Arrowrock and they’ll eat a Ned rig like crazy!

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Better reports as the weather warmed. Start on top in the early parts of the morning and be prepared to drop down as the sun forces ya to lose that hoodie! Guys are catching them on the regular here and the reports I get are on so many different dodgers…bass fishing is solid here! Little behind our other reservoirs in terms of water temps pushes the spawn back just a bit. I’d have a jerkbait, crankbait, jig, keitech and a fluke on a light Carolina rig.

Payette Lake: No Report.

SALMON AND STEELHEAD BY CODY ARD!:

No report this week - Ard is at Draino! Watch our socials as I will post any updates I can find there!!

Local Ponds: Lots of guys asking about bass that they can see but can’t catch. Welcome to bed fishing 🤣 - patience and lots of casts are sometimes the requirement. White baits are the deal - helps YOU see whats going on. Lots of trout stocking - powerbait!!

“Draggin” is a huge hit…annnnddd almost sold out!, Class Reschedule, WEB Event, Custom Baits!, NEW EMPLOYEE!

Draggins are almost sold out!! We have just a few left and I do not expect them to last the week! The custom artwork on the handle has been a favorite feature!
Beginning Bass Fishing Class needs to be rescheduled! I have a son graduating and I have overextended myself - I need to spend some time with him as he prepares for graduation. Thank you for understanding!
Western Elite Bass sign up and registrations available in shop! Tourney this weekend! Stop by if you are interested in more information.
Save the DATE!! Ladies only class on May 19!! More details to follow.
CUSTOM BAITS IN SHOP THIS WEEK - Watch our socials!
Some very cool new Merch dropping soon!! Keep your eyes on our social media - this stuff is going to go fast.
Shop is STOCKED! Some very cool products and brands arriving almost daily!
^{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

Pyramid Lake!

Technically Speaking...

I’m Intrigued…

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Did You Know?

Being a Steelhead Isn’t Easy

Steelhead can survive to spawn again but it is very hard.

Idaho Department of Fish & Game

Steelhead/Salmon UPDATE!

Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (4-15-2026)

Idaho Department of Fish & Game

Spring Chinook fishing set to open April 25

Bag limits and days per week open to fishing are variable by river section. Spring Chinook Season and Rules brochure is posted on the Chinook Fishing rules webpage.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/spring-chinook-fishing-set-open-april-25