Hook Points
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Hook Points

Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
July 08, 2025

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Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Fishing well but still spotty in terms of when they’ll bite. Early and later in the evening have been the best. Crappie have been in 15-25’ if you’re looking for them in open water and in some areas along steeper bluff walls or areas that are in the shade, you can find them a bit shallower. From the bank - you have to be able to move and cover water. These fish are on the move! I love vertical jigging with Rapala Jigging Raps or casting and retrieving with small plastics like Big Bite Baits Kamikaze Swimons and really loving the Northland Tackle baits! Trolling is a great option, likely going to need some inline trolling weights or canon balls with those Flicker Shads and Shad Raps! Bass are going to be found more consistently deeper - like 15-25’. No doubt there will be some shallow fish - look for those early. Whopper ploppers and walking baits like the Evergreen SB’s are great topwater searching baits. IRR Tungsten Finesse Jigs, Ned Rigs and 4-6” Roboworm or Keepers Worms on drop shots are excellent options. Cranking is not a bad idea! Look at 5, 6 and 8XD’s to be the deal. I love Chartreuse and Blues…

Boise River: We still have relatively high water which can make wading difficult. But PLENTY of fish being caught still. Dynamic Lures HD Trout in the BA Special color, Lucky Craft Pointer 65’s and a selection of spinners are great options this time of the year. Shrimp under a float…have I ever mentioned that before?? 🤣

Boise River at Glenwood Bridge NR Boise ID

Monitoring location 13206000 is associated with a Stream in Ada County, Idaho. Current conditions of Discharge and Gage height are available. Water data back to 1938 are available online.

waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/13206000/#dataTypeId=continuous-00065-0&period=P7D&showMedian=false

Brownlee: 3’ from full right now at 2074. Fishing well. For bass - I’d be looking shallow early and deeper as the day gets hot. On top, I am going to have a Lucky Craft Sammy or an Evergreen popper. As we move deeper, IRR Tungsten Finesse jigs remain king but I would also have a Keepers Worm on a drop shot, 1/4oz Cipher Tungsten Ball Head with a 3.3” Keitech, an IRR Underspin with a 3.8 Keitech, a Crush City Ned BLT on a Ned rig and a tube on a 3/16 or 1/4oz Bite Me Tube Head! For the crappie - they are a bit tougher to find than some other places like Owyhee right now but they are considerably bigger. Trolling is a good way to find them - Flicker Shads and Shad Raps are great options - try something with purple in it! Lots of fish in 10-15’ - a little shallower than you might think but Brownlee has a ton of bluff walls. I tend to find crappie on these walls hang out just a smidge shallower than crappie on other reservoirs. Not to say that you won’t find fish deep - you will. But spend some time on these bluffs with your favorite plastics.

Snake River: Weedy and frustrating to fish for some - but still fishing well. I’d have an IRR Tungsten Finesse Jig, a senko on an IRR Tungsten Wacky Jig and a topwater that I can fish weedlessly…look at the new Teckel Sharkers we just got in…they’re perfect!

Wilson Springs: Lots of small trout being caught - get there early! As the sun comes up, these little guys get a little moody. Nightcrawlers, powerbait and small crappie jigs are great options.

Lake Lowell: Very steady right now. Pay attention to the weather - summer evening storms can beat this place up and make loading your boat tough. For fishing, I’m throwing the Big Bite Baits FAFO on my flipping rod and I’m going to have a 6” Senko fished weightless as well as a hollow body frog and possibly a Zoom Horny Toad.

Cascade Reservoir: Fishing tough for bass - ok for perch and trout. For the bass, look for largies shallow and around docks in the Boulder Creek arm. Smallies have moved out and will be on the move all summer - gypsies I tell ya! Don’t be surprised at all if you find them in 6-10’ in the morning and in 30’ by the afternoon. Crankbaits, Carolina Rigs and Keitechs can help you cover water as you look for them. Spend some time on your graphs looking for sandy points and drop offs. Take an IRR Tungsten Finesse Jig and a Senko with a Cipher Fishing 3/32 Nail Weight and fish the ends of those points and around those drop offs. Good time to look for perch by trolling. Tough to beat a Perch Flicker Shad or a Carp/Dark Brown and Orange Shad Rap. They will be on the move! They orient to themselves more than they orient to structure so be prepared to move! The same baits will help you catch trout as well! Those trout should be higher in the water column but likely out over deeper cooler water.

Horsethief Reservoir: No report.

Owyhee Reservoir: Steady fishing - borderline tough for bass and decent sized crappie for most. For the crappie, I caught some decent sized fish in 15+ feet that were in smaller groups and on my electronics - looked more like a couple of bass than crappie. The only difference was they were suspended and the bass were on the bottom. They ate a 3.3 Keitech - NO PROBLEM! I also caught one on a 5” Senko…go figure! Try a 2 or 3” Keitech easy Shiner - might catch a bass or two while you’re at it! I love the bluff walls and steeper rocky areas for them this time of the year! Go look for these and you’ll find out why. For the bass, look shallow-ish early and then start playing around deeper as the day moves on. I like a popper or walking bait for topwater, a 5” Senko with a Cipher Fishing Nail Weight for mid depths and a 1/2oz IRR Tungsten Finesse Jig in the deeper 20-25’ stuff. I like green pumpkin and black here!! It seems like fish are grouped up…if you’re not catching them, move on!

Owyhee River: No report this week. I’d fish it though…I like it in the heat like this! Hoppers and terrestrials for you fly guys (don’t forget larger, really buggy nymphs…these browns are crayfish eaters!) and throw the dang Lucky Craft Pointer 65! Customer had a 20+ fish day on this bait last week after reading about it in the newsletter!! It gets bit folks.

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

May 23, 2025 – All reservoirs have been recently stocked May 14, and May 16 of 2025. Water temperatures for the week right around 55° C. Anglers have been dropping floaters, and boats at all reservoirs looking for some rod and reel action with reports of moderate to high fishing activity, where black and green leeches are pulling a lot of trout activity from the waters of Sheep Creek this week. Bait casters continuing to get good responses from a variety of swimbait lures, and shore casters landing fish with PowerBait, and night crawlers, and marshmallows.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: More and more kokes are being caught. Black/Pink and Orange/Copper at 30-50’ is what I was told by a good customer that has been doing very well on LP. Lots of recreational boaters this time of the year so be prepared! Get on early and off before it gets crazy hot!

Arrowrock Reservoir: Some kokanee are being caught but you really have to work for them. Probably going to wade thru a bunch of trout, perch and smallies to get them. Lots of little bass to be caught and a small popper or ned rig will provide a very memorable experience for a young angler. If you haven’t been, there is no dock at the boat ramp and careful driving in - road is rough and narrow.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Just pumping out Kokanee…pick a color, any color! Fish are down deeper - 20-30’ but plenty of anglers have informed me that they have caught kokes just long lining 80-100’ behind the boat with no weight. Bass fishing is excellent for smallish fish - with plenty of decent ones to be caught. I love a popper early and then Carolina rigged flukes (green pumpkin), Ned rigs (Hot Snakes) and a 4-6” worm on a drop shot!

Payette Lake: SAME REPORT AS LAST WEEK! Good fishing but CROWDED! The warmer weather will push the fish down - as will the increase in boats that this lake will see - as the warmer weather shows up 😂 - that’s just what you deal with if you are going to Kokanee fish here. Get up early and get off early - Pinks, oranges and watermelon dodgers…

QUICK THANK YOU TO ALAN WITH KOKABOW TACKLE FOR THE KOKANEE REPORTS TODAY!! THIS GUY JUST CONTINUES TO WORK SO HARD TO HELP THE COMMUNITY CATCH THESE FISH!

If you would like to book a trip with Alan, he is guiding through Fish and Fur Outfitters. Cost is $250 per seat - 2 person minimum and I can tell from first hand experience - if you want to learn how to get in the game - its worth every penny! He guides on Anderson and Payette Lake!

Local Ponds: Decent pond bass being caught with topwaters. If the good ol’ frog isn’t doing it for you, give a Z Man Goat Toadz a try.

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Sun Hoodies are HERE!, From Japan, Price Increases - Industry Wide, New Class, C.A.S.T. for Kids!, Big Things Coming…

NEW Idaho Rod and Reel Sun Hoodies will be in Stock on TUESDAY! This is a custom product that took A LOT longer than we were hoping but the end product was worth it! 50 UPF, Custom Ultra Cool - Moisture Wicking Polyester/Spandex Fabric, 3 Pc Hood, Relaxed Fit and available in Medium through 5XL in two very cool patterns! See those images below!
We just received a large shipment of some really tough to get baits by Duo Realis, Teckel and Raid Japan. Spend $150 and get a free Idaho Rod and Reel HD Bait Storage bag - $20 Value.
Many of our favorite vendors have issued significant price increases due to tariffs. We have done all we can to absorb costs and try to protect our customers from them!! This includes large reel purchases from Daiwa and Shimano - two brands with the largest increases. Purchasing like we did will allow us to sell at OLD MSRP until we sell out. If you have been considering a new reel purchase…now is the time.
New Class being offered by Jordan Rodriguez with Tight Lines 208 - ALPINE FISHING! Class will be held at the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center on July 16, from 6-8pm. Cost is $50 and includes an Alpine Fishing Starter Kit. Did you know there are over 3700 Alpine Lakes in Idaho?! Jordan does…tired of the crowds?? This is for you. Sign up at tightlines208.com.
Help us as we try to raise money to send Eli and Grady to High Schools Nationals to represent Idaho!! Idaho Rod and Reel has donated a Link Casting Rod and a Daiwa Tatula SV to help the boys raise money! Tickets to win the rod and reel are $5ea and ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE BOYS!! This is an expensive trip! They’re amazing young men!! Please help if you can.
All Link and Imperium Rods are SOLD OUT except for a FEW TECH RODS!! Great for throwing light crankbaits and Keitechs up to 3/8oz. One of my personal favorite rods…
C.A.S.T. 4 KIDS is coming up!! We need boaters! This is an absolutely amazing event!! See the flyer below for more info. Please consider helping and being part of this amazing program. Help us give these amazing kids a day they will remember for a long time.
Something big is coming for Idaho Rod and Reel…hints are out there…
Can’t wait for you to see the new Cipher Fishing product that will be out soon!! Available at Tackle Warehouse and Idaho Rod and Reel first!
New and In-Stock this week: Daiwa Reels, Shimano Reels, HUGE Reaction Innovations order to arrive on Thursday, Zoom Plastics, Duo Realis, Raid Japan, Teckel, Seaguar Line, Daiwa Soft Plastics, Evergreen Baits
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

Listen to the 75% Rule

Technically Speaking...

Texas Rig 101

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Nampa Hatchery Closed

Nampa Fish Hatchery is closed to the public as Phase 2 of major construction project ramps up

Effective immediately, the Nampa Fish Hatchery is closed to visitors as construction crews begin Phase 2 of the ongoing rebuild of the facility. The closure will remain in place for upwards of three years.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/nampa-fish-hatchery-closed-public-phase-2-major-construction-project-ramps

Salmon Update!

Upper Salmon River Chinook Fishery update - 7/3/2025

idfg.idaho.gov/article/upper-salmon-river-chinook-fishery-update-732025

F&G issues closure order for adult Chinook salmon harvest on South Fork Salmon River

Effective at the end of fishing hours on July 2, Idaho Fish and Game officials are closing fishing for adult Chinook salmon on the South Fork Salmon River after the sport fishery met the allowable harvest share. Additionally, Chinook fishing for jacks only will be in effect from July 3-6.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/fg-issues-closure-order-adult-chinook-salmon-harvest-south-fork-salmon-river

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

CAST for Kids!!