Hook Points
Posts
Hook Points

Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
October 15, 2024

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Crappie and perch fishing has been really good! Looking for off shore humps and for schools in the narrows…multi-bait rigs have been working really well. If you haven’t tried a Ned rig for perch, you’re missing out! For a lighter rig, use an Idaho Rod and Reel 1/10oz Ned head and a Z Man Finesse TRD in Green Pumpkin, Molting Craw or Coppertreuse. If you want to get really sneaky…use a heavier head and use that as the weight at the bottom of your multi-bait rig. A multi-bait rig (sometimes called a Perch Rig as Lindy Lures sold them pre-made) is just a drop shot rig with multiple hook above the weight. Bass fishing has been really good for smaller fish and steady for larger. There are a a lot of fish up the Snake River side of the reservoir. Look for back eddies, channel swings and flats. I’d have a lipless, a topwater walking bait, a Spro RK Crawler and an Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Finesse jig. Sturgeon fishing in the reservoir and below the dam has been really good early and late in the day. Good feedback this week on squid and crappie…together 😉

Boise River: Still just steadily performing - honestly, it will for another couple weeks. Especially with the daytime temps we’ve been seeing…perfect for the little bugs to just keep on hatching and that keeps the river active. Couple questions this week about spawning Browns…they typically start spawning towards the end of October. As warm as it has been, that might not kick off until November. However, never a bad idea in the fall to keep your eyes on the gravelly areas as you’re wading as to not disturb a spawning Redd. If you aren’t sure what a Redd is, I have included a picture below. There is plenty of debate in the trout world about fishing Redds - I am in the camp that believes we should leave them alone and lets make sure we have tons of Browns to catch in the future. For the river right now, I’m still throwing Dynamic Lures HD Trout, spinners and Ultralight Heavyweights jigs under a float.

Brownlee: Harmful Algae Bloom Warning In Effect. As of 10/15, water levels were at 2045. The Spring ramp is still accessible - just need to use the old ramp. I spent a few days here this last week and the fishing was exceptional for 1-2 pound bass throwing Roboworms on a drop shot, tungsten finesse jigs, 3.3 Keitechs and creature baits on Carolina rigs. Decent fishing up shallow early and then we moved out to 25’ as the sun was straight up overhead. Crappie are everywhere! We marked schools in 15-30’ with the shallower fish being smaller but more willing to play. Most offshore humps and inside bends of the river (yes it’s still a river and there is current…) were holding schools of crappie. Trolling would be effective I am sure but the most basic of electronics can help you find these schools and casting to them with a 1/4oz blade bait or 1/8oz jig head tipped with a 2 or 3” Berkley Gulp Minnow in the Starry Night color is a guaranteed catch. I’ve been a little quiet about that bait and color but letting that cat out of the bag today…trust me, its a good one!

Snake River: Steadily producing! Lots of floating grass can make it a little tricky to fish but they are biting and it’s worth the hassle imo. For cats, look shallow. They are feeding up to get ready for colder weather ahead. Crayfish and baitfish are on the move on flats and in eddies - that’s where the predators will be as well. Cut baits and nightcrawlers are the baits of choice right now. In heavy grass areas, upsize your offering. In the more open water sections, downsize just a bit. Bass fishing has been decent. For me - tackle selection is simple…Evergreen Shower Blow (SB105) or Lucky Craft Sammy, Senko on a wacky jig, Keitech on a belly weighted EWG hook, Tungsten Finesse jig in the rocky sections and a jerkbait. I know the jerkbait sounds crazy with all the grass on the river but I personally caught several fish on the Idaho Rod and Reel Custom Purple jerkbait being selective and accurate with my casts.

Wilson Springs: Decent reports this week for small planters in the main pond. Still grassy but can be fished. Simple powerbait and nightcrawler rigs are working. Customer caught 3-4 decent fish on a red Dynamic Lures HD trout in just a matter of minutes!

Lake Lowell: Couple bank anglers reporting that the fishing is quite good right now on a weightless Yum Dinger (sinful shad 😉), chatterbait and swim jig.

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: Cascade is a great place to fish right now. Most are accessing the lake with the southernmost ramp. Trout are being hammered by Salmo Hornets and Flicker Shads. Perch are in the rocks around Crowne Point and Sugarloaf and can be caught using Ned rigs, small underspins and multi-bait rigs tipped with Nightcrawlers and crappie nibbles. Some really nice perch being caught using vertical methods and baits - try a jigging rap! It will get bit!! Re-read the report for CJ Strike - that Ned/Multi-Bait rig just might work here as well 😉! Bass fishing has been steady and there have been some big fish caught! Ned rigs, drop shots, jerkbaits and topwaters have been successful. I’d have a lipless in the boat as well - try a Booyah 1/2oz one knocker. Couple colors I’d recommend…Yellow Perch, Gold Shiner and Tennesse Blush Shad. See pics of them below!

Horsethief Reservoir: Couple bank anglers reported that there are plenty of fish biting here on nightcrawlers and green or white powerbait.

Owyhee Reservoir: Crappie fishing is 💪right now. Fish are in 15'-25’ and can be caught from both the bank and a boat. Customers are reporting really good schools close to the boat ramps as well as up by the airport, by the elbow and up Dry Creek. Bass fishing has been fair for most and really good for a few. Heavy football jigs, deeper diving cranks and drop shots are good choices for the majority of the day. Early try a jerkbait or topwater.

Owyhee River: Fishing really well. For the fly anglers, your probably going to find the most consistent action nymphing. The water has dropped so that narrows the BWO hatch windows. They’ll still show up, but it will likely be a short window. There’s a hatch coming soon that is a “if you know you know”…come talk to me if you want to know more. For conventional tackle anglers, Dynamic Lures HD Trout, spinners and Berkley Power Nymphs cut down a bit and fished under a float can get it done. One of our ambassadors had a tough day up there over the weekend and another had an ok day. Take a good selection of lures with you and move around a bit.

Duck valley: From the TRIBAL WEBSITE:

September 17, 2024 –Colder temperatures dropping down has increased the fishing activity, less than two weeks ago the temperatures were in excess of 70 degrees, and current readings are registering 55-60 degrees, quite a significant drop. All three reservoirs have been productive to anglers; however, moss build-up has congested many off-shore fishing spots. Open water lay further away from the shore in some areas.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: No Report this Week.

Lucky Peak Dam and Lake - WallaWallaUSACE | Boise ID

Lucky Peak Dam and Lake - WallaWallaUSACE, Boise, Idaho. 3,635 likes · 640 talking about this · 1,128 were here. Striving to deliver operational excellence in flood risk management, responsible...

www.facebook.com/LuckyPeakLake

RAMP LEVELS AT LUCKY PEAK!!

Arrowrock Reservoir: No Report this week.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Couple reports of a few small Kokanee caught fairly shallow early in the morning and a bunch of small bass.

Local Ponds: Some decent bass being caught and lots of trout in the urban ponds. For the bass, try a Bull Shad or other larger swimbait! The big bait game is perfect for big slow pond bass…

Shop News - Idaho Rod and Reel Link Rods, JIG TYERS!! - A Little Friendly Competition, Hand Tied Steelhead Jigs, IBM Fall Open, Tungsten Bulk Orders

LINK ROD UPDATE: Pre-ordering for the next run of Idaho Rod and Reel Link Rods will be live this week. Updates will be announced on our social media platforms. The pre-order price will be $124.99. These rods are built on High Modulus custom blanks manufactured by Idaho Rod and Reel. These blanks ARE NOT AVAILABLE anywhere else! New FOR THIS RUN OF RODS - CORK HANDLED VERSIONS! These rods help fulfill the MISSION of Idaho Rod and Reel to help anglers fall more in love with this great sport - quality equipment is paramount for maximizing opportunities. These rods would easily cost $250 or more if they had a “big brand” name on them which is a price point that most just can’t afford. These are made by a guy that works his butt off for others that work their butts off. The Link rods make it possible for everyone to have a tournament quality custom rod. Or two. Maybe three. 4? Is 4 too much? Nah…5. That’s the right amount. Unless you need 6… 🤣!
DO YOU TIE YOUR OWN SKIRTED BASS JIGS??!! Get ready to tie, vote or both!! Idaho Rod and Reel will be hosting a Custom Jig Tying competition! More details to follow but prizes include everything from tackle, Apple Air Pods to Gift Certificates! Details for contest submissions coming soon! This is gonna be fun!
Steelhead Anglers! I plan on having hand tied Steelhead Jigs ready to sell on Thursday. These are tied by me on quality Mustad, Victory and Gamakatsu hooks with premium fly tying materials.
2024 IBM Fall Open forms are IN THE SHOP! Come sign up!
COMING SOON! Fall Bass Fishing Classes!
SECOND CHANCE RAFFLES COMING SOON! If you didn’t win something in our grand prize raffles…don’t give up just yet…
LADIES ONLY CLASSES COMING SOON! Can’t wait for you to meet our newest instructor!! She has years of experience with multiple species and techniques!! Excited to have a 100% Ladies Only Class coming soon!
Keep an eye out for something new…TACKLE TALK TUESDAYS coming soon!
IN STOCK NOW: Daiwa Tatula Elite Rods, Daiwa Kage Rods, Evergreen Last Ace 128’s, Mag Lips 3.5, Qwikfish 7’s and 11’s (Friday), Smackin Sunflower Seeds - 11 Flavors, Reaction Innovations Beavers, Ego Salmon Steelhead Nets
CUSTOM COLOR SOFTBAITS ONLY AVAILABLE AT IDAHO ROD AND REEL FROM MAJOR MANUFACTURERS COMING SOON!
CRAPPIE and TROUT fishers…custom rods built just for you coming SOOONN!!!.
Custom Rods…something very cool is coming 😉
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

Beautiful Idaho

Technically Speaking...

Winding down for the season?

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Quagga Saga

Fish and Game to monitor impacts to fisheries from quagga mussel treatment

Using experience gained from the 2023 treatment, Fish and Game fisheries biologists are preparing for additional fish mortality throughout the treatment area, especially in the section of river upstream of the Twin Falls power plant that was not treated in 2023.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/fish-and-game-monitor-impacts-fisheries-quagga-mussel-treatment

Good to know!!

Heads up hunters and anglers: Idaho Power closing North Park campground and boat ramp at C.J. Strike on Oct. 1

Idaho Power’s North Park Campground and boat ramp on C.J. Strike Reservoir will close from Oct. 1 through December while the company upgrades the docks between the park and the nearby U.S. Air Force Marina.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/heads-hunters-and-anglers-idaho-power-closing-north-park-campground-and-boat-ramp-cj-strike

Plunking for Steelies and Salmon

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

Fall Cranking!