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Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
October 21, 2025

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Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: One of the better places to fish right now - but not on fire every day. Trout fishing seems to have picked up considerably and that goes for both boat and bank anglers. From the boat, trolling has been king. 80-100’ setbacks and some experimentation with speeds but try 1.5 to 1.8 to start and make sure you add some turns to your route. Flicker Shads, old school trout spinners and Wedding Rings as well as Kokabow dodgers and lures are all producing. From the bank, Powerbait and nightcrawler rigs are working. Below the dam, some reports for trout on spinners with orange in them. That report came from a good customer of the shop that caught several smallies as well - was throwing the spinners from Steelhead Slammer. Reports for crappie and perch are still pretty positive though you can tell not everyone is finding them consistently. One customer recommends getting away from the banks and using your electronics to find the suspending schools not only in the Bruneau, but also up the river arm. He has been catching them very consistently with purple cranks from Bandit Lures and anything perch colored in the Shad Rap and Flicker Shad camps. Bass fishing has been good for most - with a couple amazing days mixed in. As we start to see our first really cool mornings and day time temps staying below 65, blade baits, jerkbaits and Carolina rigs will be my go to’s. Lots of minnow style baits doing a lot of work right now…Keitechs, Mooch Minnows, cranks and jerkbaits.

Boise River: Good reports for decent browns in the stretches close to downtown. Some guys have experienced slower days than I would have expected. Lots of insect activity around warmer days - that can wake the river up in a hurry! Try small jig heads with Berkley Power Nymphs, drop shots with the Berkley Trout Worms and small minnow style jerkbaits. There should be quite a few fish in pools…they don’t need to spend as much time in the riffles with this cooler water.

Brownlee: Water levels are at 2054 - up 3 feet from last week. Algae warning is still in affect and you can launch from the Spring Rec site using the old ramp. Good reports last week for steady fishing with some decent sized smallies mixed in. Common theme in our conversations with anglers has been the overall surprise that the crayfish style baits seem to have become less effective and that the bass seem to be mostly consuming minnows. Bust out those Keitechs, Mooch Minnows, Roboworms or X Zone Hot Shot Minnows on drop shots, jerkbaits and cranks. This time of the year you can find shallow and deep bass - so not a bad idea to have on a Carolina rig with a fluke, senko or something like a Crush City Freeloader. Probably not a bad idea to have a ned rig with you - try green pumpkins as well as shad colors. I’d have a hard time not rigging up a jig…even with the reports being what they are about crayfish baits - at least one rigged up for me! Crappie reports have been few but there are bass guys catching them on their minnow baits and the size is pretty impressive. I’d be looking in coves, mouth of coves and up against the bluffs. Lots of flatheads being caught by the bass anglers which makes me think if you were targeting them, you’d probably find a couple!!

Snake River: Still getting decent reports with several catching quite a few but mentioning the size is pretty small. I know the jig is still working on the river, as is a Ned rig, Neko rig, tube and Keitech. You know me, I’m going to have a certain purple jerkbait tied on as well 😁

Wilson Springs: No report.

Lake Lowell: No Report.

Cascade Reservoir: Another week of mixed reports leaning a bit more to the tough side of things…but there are folks having success out there. Trolling seems to be the method that is having the most consistent success for perch and for trout. For the trout, purples and whites have been the go to’s and the perch patterned cranks as well as anything in orange and brown have been catching perch. Not a bad time of the year to be throwing jigging raps and blade baits as well. Sounds like some good schools are a bit deeper - 15-20’. One customer recommends finding them by trolling and using your electronics and then setting up on them and fishing vertically as long as the school will let you. They tend to be on the move so might be chasing them a bit! Rocky structures consistently hold perch at Cascade. Check out those areas around the island, down by the golf course ramp and Crowne Point. Bass fishing has been tough but good ones have been caught. Jerkbaits, small minnow style baits, flukes on a Carolina rig and at certain times of the days - a lipless will get bit. Looking at some of my journal entries from this same time, I made notes about catching fish in 15-20’ around the sand with grass nearby. Would love to hear from someone if that ends up being the case!!

Horsethief Reservoir: No report.

Owyhee Reservoir: Tough for bass!! After a great spring and summer, the fall has proven to be a difficult one!! I have heard of a few fish caught on crankbaits, Carolina rigs, IRR Tourney Jigs and Keitechs but nothing from anyone that feels like they had it figured out. My gut is thinking these fish have already gone deep - maybe the turnover?? I need to get out on it to see it for myself. No problem catching crappie - they’re everywhere!

Owyhee River: Water is low. Watch out for Brown Trout Redds!

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

No Report

Lucky Peak Reservoir: No Report

Arrowrock Reservoir: No Report

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Got a few reports from Anderson this past week - thank you to all who shared!! There are Kokanee biting and one report says that they were chrome colored. Sounds like they were pretty small though, 8-10” but happy to eat pink squids! Lots of smallies near the bank - again, smaller fish.

Payette Lake: No report.

Local Ponds: Check the stocking report to see which ponds have been stocked but with the cooler temps come more trout!

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Steelhead Class!!, Brian Fishing at Nationals, 9 2 Tao Double Dipped Tubes SOLD OUT, Fall Discount Bins, Link/Imperium Rod Stock,

_{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 will be live on Tuesday at}_{idahorodandreel.com}_{under the “Classes” tab.}
Keep an eye on our social media pages as we highlight Brian’s adventures as he fishes Nationals in Wisconsin! Follow him on instagram @purtellbrian and send him a message!!
^{We are SOLD OUT of the IRR Exclusive Double Dipped 9 2 Tao Tubes!! We have a few bags of the Laminate version left!!}
^{Check out the new section that will showcase some of the boats that are available at J and H!}
^{The 2 Piece Idaho Rod and Reel Spinning Rods are back in stock!! These are 30 Ton blanks and come with 2 tips - 1 medium and 1 medium light! 2 Rods in 1…INCREDIBLE PRICE! We sold over 300 of these last time we brought them in.}
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^{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

What a weird bait!!

Technically Speaking...

Rigging a Jig Head - Loop Knot!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Not good…

F&G fish hatchery truck involved in a rollover accident near Bovill

An Idaho Fish and Game fish hatchery truck was involved in a non-fatal accident on Oct. 16. The driver—a Fish and Game employee—sustained minor injuries after losing control of the truck.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/fg-fish-hatchery-truck-involved-rollover-accident-near-bovill

Steelhead/Salmon UPDATE!

Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (10-14-2025)

idfg.idaho.gov/article/upper-salmon-river-steelhead-fishing-report-10-14-2025

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

This is insane!