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Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
March 09, 2026

A NOTE FROM RYAN!

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Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: We had a great week at CJ and with some decent temps in the near future, I think CJ needs to be on your top 3 places to go list. Crappie fishing has improved and while a fair amount of guys have reported struggling for big numbers of fish, most are catching a few and some really nice sized ones! Vertical presentations still seem to be the most effective and we are looking for fish in 20-30’. Schools of the bigger fish are smaller and those fish are on the move. I haven’t heard anything positive yet about the Bruneau arm but it can’t be too long before some of those Bruneau spawners start to show up. Lot’s of perch reports have been in the main bowl, 20-30’. Vertical presentations for those as well - so that’s Jigging Raps, 1/4oz blade baits and soft plastics on slightly heavier jig heads than most are throwing - try a 1/8 or even a 3/16. Bass fishing has been pretty solid! We have some shallow fish and those can be caught on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jerkbaits. For those fish hanging out in the deeper stuff, try a drop shot, Cipher Head and a Scented Jerk Shad or a blade bait. If you haven’t thrown the chartreuse Damiki Vault, there’s a reason why it has sold out quite a few times!!

Boise River: Very few reports this week from the river. The ones that I have heard were that things were slow-ish…I expect that to change here pretty quick. I’d have Dynamic Lures HD Trout, shrimp on a jig head, a crappie jig under a float or the Powerbait 1” crawlers on a drop shot or split shot rig.

Brownlee: Current water level is 2046, UP a little over 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. Great reports this week as Brownlee has definitely picked up. Similarly to CJ, I’d have a crankbait in either red or dark green/chartreuse - take a look at all the new Spro Rock Crawlers, Strike King 3XD Elites and Bomber A cranks we just got in! Minnows (I’d have a 2.8 or 3.3 Keitech, Strike King Z Too or Z Man Jerk Shad) on livescope are working as are drop shots out in 30 or so feet. From the bass anglers, I am seeing some very large crappie. From their reports, the big ones are flying solo or in very small packs. They are catching them out in 20-30’ on 3 and 4” baits!

Snake River: Consistent reports this week and good target for a quick trip or for the bank angler. From what I am hearing, the bite is a bit better later in the day. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, blade baits, minnows on jig heads and ned rigs are great options! Hearing some decent stuff in regard to catfish as well from anglers around the Parma and Homedale areas.

Wilson Springs: No Report.

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Lake Lowell: Decent couple reports from bank anglers throwing Chatterbaits and swimbaits on underspins over by the dams. Early season Lowell can be hit or miss - but when its a hit, it can be some incredible fishing.

Cascade Reservoir: Check with local shops for most current reports!! Ice is sketchy was the last report I heard!! For trout anglers, watch for those ice-out reports!! get up there the second you can and troll a Flicker Shad or Shad Rap and you might have one of the best trips of your life!!

Horsethief Reservoir: No report this week. Check with the awesome shops in Cascade!!

Owyhee Reservoir: A few more reports this week and they were ok - not great. But maybe signaling that fishing at Owyhee is going to start to fire up here in the next few weeks. I’d love to spend some time covering some water with a crankbait or a spinnerbait and see if I could round up a few good ones.

Owyhee River: No Report.

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!!

No Report.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Decent reports for both kokes and rainbows. Lots of fish on top. 80 to 100 feet setbacks and speeds of 1.3 to 1.7mph. Couple really good reports from one angler using Flicker Shads specifically targeting trout. For dodgers, one customer highly recommending the Pink and White dodger from Kokabow Tackle.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Same report as Lucky Peak with the only exception being that it seems like more Kokanee are being caught at Lucky Peak. Rainbows a plenty at AR! One customer recommends the Wonder Bread dodger with orange, white and pink hoochies.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Lots of small fish being caught. One customer said they were so small it was a nuisance. Check out the Anderson Ranch Kokanee Outlook report from Fish and Game below.

SALMON AND STEELHEAD BY CODY ARD!: Same as last week except with this addition: Upper Salmon is fishing well. Lots of effort on the main Salmon with all the nice weather, catch rates weren’t too bad - I am assuming those fish were bound for the Little Salmon. Spotty on the South Fork. Still a few fish in Hells Canyon as well. Leave your shrimp at home…eggs and beads.

Local Ponds: Couple good bass catches this week from some of the local ponds! Chatterbaits in the warmer ponds, Shakey Heads and Ned Rigs in most. One report mentioned seeing quite a few fish up shallow but noted they were pretty sluggish. Won’t be for long… Lots of trout stocking and guys are catching them with different colors of Powerbait.

A Huge Thank You!, Jig Count Contest on Tuesday, Big Announcement this WEEK, Kokanee Class Packages, Show Winners

The Idaho Sportsman Show was a huge success for us and we couldn’t have done it without you guys! Just wanted to say thank you for all the support that you show our small shop!! Its incredible that we get to do what we do. I wanted to send out a special thank you to a few people…Mark Thorntan for volunteering to help us set up the booth, Michelle and Derek at the 2C Sign Shop in Caldwell for helping with signs and Blake with Lizard Butte Tackle for making the jig heads for the kids jigs and charging me next to nothing for them.
JIG TYYING FOR THE KIDS! Will have a poll on Instagram tomorrow…guess the number of jigs tied and win a gift card.
We did something really cool…announcement coming this week.
If you placed an order for show specials at the Spring Kokanee Kickoff, all orders are ready to be picked up and you should hear from us shortly. Watch our socials this week for drawings for prizes from the class.
Everyone that participated in our Booth Hunt was entered into a drawing for some great prizes…winners announced soon!
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

For those that missed my “Flyfishing for Bass and Carp” seminar at the sportsman show…

Technically Speaking...

Pre-Season Boat Prep!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Anderson Ranch Kokanee Outlook for 2026

2026 Anderson Ranch Reservoir kokanee outlook

The 2026 kokanee fishery at Anderson Ranch Reservoir is expected to be very similar to what anglers experienced in 2025. Biologists anticipate higher than average catch rates of medium-sized kokanee throughout the season, providing consistent opportunities for anglers.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/2026-anderson-ranch-reservoir-kokanee-outlook

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