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Hook Points

Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
March 16, 2026

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Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Another very consistent week of fishing at CJ. I would expect this to be a very good week at Strike! If you are heading out early in the week, I’d be looking in 20-30’ for crappie and perch. As the week moves on and the weather starts to get up in the 70’s, don’t be surprised at all if you start to find crappie moving towards the banks a bit. Trolling has been working again - setbacks of 80ish feet with Shad Raps, Flicker Shads and even just trolling underspins with small soft plastics has been working for a couple of customers. Nightcrawlers on small jig heads, blade baits and Jigging Raps caught perch this week for a couple of boats. Trout are on top - plenty down by the dam, air force ramp and over by Black Sands. Just recently stocked. The bass guys have already started talking about hooking them with crankbaits intended for bass. Get on the troll with Flicker Shads and Shad Raps - try Kokabow dodgers and lures as well if you are SPECIFICALLY targeting the trout. From the banks, pink Powerbait. Bass fishing has picked up and I believe will only continue to do so. Look for clearer water if you can and start working red, orange and dark green with chartreuse crankbaits. Jerkbaits, blade baits, Keitechs and Z Man Scented Jerk Shadz are other baits I’d have tied on. If the reaction bite gets tough, switch to a Ned rig or IRR Tungsten Finesse jig. Not a bad idea to play around with an A-rig or a spinnerbait too. The crappie classic is two weeks away - expect CJ to busy until then as guys try to dial in the crappie bite.

Boise River: Anglers were MUCH happier with the river this week. Good bites on shrimp, Dynamic Lures HD Trout in the Rainbow and pink colors, Shad Raps in the brown and orange colors (BROWNS LOVE CRAYFISH!) and small spoons and spinners all got bit. Deeper eddies are still great places to target but fish are on the move a bit now. Low 40 water temps can start to trigger Rainbow trout spawning. Egg patterns can work! Especially for Whitefish.

Brownlee: Current water level is 2045.6, down less than a foot 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. Good fishing right now and the reaction bite for bass has been very consistent for most. I’d definitely have a selection of 10’ diving cranks in red, browns, blue and chartreuse and white. I’d also have a few lipless with me in reds, browns and oranges. When the cranks aren’t getting it done, try a Nishine jerkbait - one of my favorites from last year is back in stock! I’d also have a Ned rig, 3.3 Keitech and one of the new Crush City “The Jerk” tied on. Keep a jig handy…when the spring jig bite pops off, you’ll want to be ready! One of the funnest bites of the year! For crappie, the bass anglers are catching big ones on larger than average soft plastics. 3.5 - 4” baits are 100% NOT TOO BIG for large crappie. Look for them around longer points, flats and starting to move back into coves. Probably in 25-30’ right now but like CJ - later in the week, shallow - might be the deal. Tournaments here on both Saturday and Sunday this week.

Snake River: More consistent reports from the river and probably the best bank option other than the ponds right now. The new IRR Tungsten Finesse Jigs are already proving why they are the best selling bait in the shop! Lots of catches on them this weekend. Ned rigs, cranks, jerkbaits, lipless cranks and Keitechs…if none of that is working, time for a sandwich…

Wilson Springs: No Report.

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Lake Lowell: More reports from the bank! Haven’t hear of anyone having a crazy good day but definitely plenty of anglers catching a few on chatterbaits on the warm days and Keitechs on EWG underspins for everything in between!

Cascade Reservoir: We’re on open water and some decent bites are already happening. This is the time for big trout!! Go! Go! Go! They love right after ice out. Go find the weed edges and stay just outside of them with Flicker Shads, Shad Raps and even Kokabow tackle. Perch are all over the place - heard a few reports of jumbos in deeper water, 25-30’ - as well as reports of good ones in 10’! Grab a couple blade baits, underspins and 2.8” Keitechs and get after it!!

Horsethief Reservoir: No report.

Owyhee Reservoir: Starting to see and hear about more activity on Owyhee. Don’t forget your Oregon license and set a few extra bucks aside because the price has gone up! Charging for parking at the ramps now too I believe. Crappie have assumed their normal Owyhee positions - which is EVERYWHERE! and anglers are targeting and catching them close to the banks, around points and at the mouths of coves. For the bass, spend some time with a lipless, red crank and or a blue and chartreuse crank and cover some water! I’d have a jerkbait with me as well.

Owyhee River: No Report.

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!!

There is bank access and open water - anglers are catching! Powerbait is a great bait out there. Spoons and small minnow soft plastics work great at these lakes. March thru May are some of my favorite months to fish here!! If you are a fly angler, a small float tube, intermediate sinking line with a a selection of scuds and leach patterns is one heck of a way to fish out here!! Watch out for the wind…check the weather before you go.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Trout are being caught on Flicker Shads over by the dam. Kokes have been on top, 80-100’ behind the boat. White, chartreuse/orange and black/pink dodgers are what did the best for a few anglers last week. I haven’t been hearing about limits of Kokanee - I’m sure some guys are - but most seem to be picking up at least 3-4 fish.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Better reports from AR vs. LP. Fish are on top! Lots of colors are working - get out there and get on the move with your favorites and see what happens. Lots of anglers reporting from the South Fork - a couple from the dam as well. A bank angler had a great afternoon just soaking some Powerbait and playing Sudoko on his phone 🤣 - love that.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Still fishing well - just smaller fish.

SALMON AND STEELHEAD BY CODY ARD!:

Upper salmon: Best catch rates were upstream of the pahsimeroi. Sounds like the peak of the spring run is pretty much near there or already there in Salmon. Flows came up a little but very fishable.

Little salmon is still fishing well, flows weren't too bad and fish are being caught.

The women with bait tournament has wrapped up, with over 200 Steelhead landed. The biggest fish of the tournament was a 34 inch hatchery fish and most fish winner was 4 fish. Great Job ladies.

Clearwater and Southfork clearwater are completely blown out, the mainstream was running 36,000 cfs yesterday, the southfork running 3500cfs this weekend. Thats a no go. Keep an eye on that, as that river drops, the fishing will pick up. Most likely that flush will push the rest of the stragglers upriver.

Looking forward, Springer season will be here before you know it. Springers are already being caught below Bonneville dam, mostly in the Willamette. Drano and Wind river I predict will be early this year. If you've never fished Drano with a guide, I highly recommend it! Its a blast. As of today 43 Adults have crossed Bonneville dam, and there is 1 salmon past lower monumental, which means there will be ONE salmon in Idaho this week.

Local Ponds: Just a couple reports from the ponds…couple catches on 3.8 Keitechs on EWG underspins. I’d have a chatterbait and a wacky rigged senko with me as well. Trout are being stocked everywhere! Take a look at the Marsing Pond for a great spot that has been producing. Nightcrawlers and powerbaits!

The NEW IRR Tungsten Finesse Jig, Winners Announced this Week, Crankbait Heaven…, St. Patricks Day Sale - IRR Style!

As many of you saw from our social media posts, the IRR Tungsten Finesse jig is BACK! And MADE IN THE USA!! This is a huge deal and took a ton of work - while the rest of the industry is shutting down their tungsten product lines, we were able to figure out a way to keep going!! Come check out the best selling bait in the shop, 7 new colors in both 3/8 and 1/2 oz!
Announcements all week for winners from our Booth Hunt from the Sportsman Show!
BIG SHIMPENT of Crankbaits, Jerkbaits and Lipless arriving on Monday and Tuesday! We are ready for that spring reaction bite!!
ST. PATRICKS DAY SALE!! 3/17 ONLY! WEAR ANY IDAHO ROD AND REEL APPAREL ITEM AND TAKE 10% OFF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE!
HUGE amount of crankbaits and jerkbaits just showed up!
If you love to troll, WE ARE STOCKED!! Flicker Shads and Shad Raps!!.
BEGINNING BASS FISHING CLASS COMING SOON!!
^{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

Crazy Video!!

Technically Speaking...

I’m not the best at this…

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

More Records!

North Idaho angler hauls in new C&R state record cutthroat trout

Idaho’s deepest lake — Lake Pend Oreille — no doubt possesses some aquatic beasts of mythical proportion. So, imagine the wave of hysteria after reeling in a 27-inch long Westslope cutthroat trout one day. For Coeur d’Alene angler Kyle Hatrock, that day was Feb. 1.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/north-idaho-angler-hauls-new-cr-state-record-cutthroat-trout

Cool Read!

From River to Ocean: The Snake River Smolt Monitoring Program

The trap is used to capture juvenile salmon and steelhead as they migrate downstream. Crews implant small PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tags that allow biologists to track survival, travel time, and smolt-to-adult return rates. Each fish is examined to determine species, hatchery or wild origin, and overall condition before release.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/river-ocean-snake-river-smolt-monitoring-program