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Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
March 04, 2025

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Probably the most steady producing body of water right now. With the warming temps and rain, we’re starting to deal with rising water and with that comes stained to downright muddy water. Crappie fishing seemed to have slowed just a bit with most the comments I have heard being that the fish are a little more scattered and the bigger fish are in smaller pods. With the off colored water, I like to try and start fishing closer to the bank where the sun light can still penetrate, warm and activate the water. Teeny tiny bugs draw tiny bugs, tiny bugs draw little bugs, little bugs draw - you get the idea 😆! No matter the species you decide to fish for, I’d be throwing baits that vibrate, rattle, dance, sing songs, tell jokes and do whatever is necessary to attract fish in dark water! Cranks, jerkbaits, blade baits and tailspins are good options. Change the size and how you fish these for the species you are targeting. For example - for crappie, downsize your cranks and jerkbaits and get trolling…

Boise River: I haven’t had a chance to look at the river yet - the flows don’t seem ridiculous yet but its coming. If you’re going to get out and enjoy some really good trout fishing, do it before the flows get nuts!! I’m throwing small Shad Raps, Dynamic Lures HD Trout, crappie jigs under a float or just cooked shrimp under a float.

Brownlee: Water levels are at 2044 and rising - more than 11 feet since last weeks report! Lots of debris in the water so please be careful! See the pic just below. Water clarity ranges from awful to “good gosh that’s disgusting!”. I hate saying it because I have a tourney to fish there on Saturday!! Wish me luck…my suggestion for those of you that need to fish it to prepare for tourneys is be prepared to break ice at Woodhead if you are there early, hope like heck that the sun is up and the fish pushed up shallow and then do what ya gotta do to get their attention. Red cranks and lipless could be the deal. For those looking to fun fish here - hold off a minute.

THOSE ARE LOGS!!!

Snake River: There are fish to be caught in the river but it has become a bit tough with rising off colored water. Try a jig, crankbait, lipless or a blade bait! Its not uncommon for river fish to push to the edges when the water rises - means bank anglers can have some success. Try a Texas rigged tube and fish more down (parallel to) the banks starting shallow and slowly working your way off the bank.

Wilson Springs: Recently stocked and many smaller fish are being caught from what I am hearing. Powerbait and nightcrawlers are great - give a small Ultralight Heavyweights jig a try…

Lake Lowell: No report.

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: Sounds like decent fishing on hard ice right now. Couple customers told me they had to pull a quick detour to Freedom Outdoors to pick up cleats. Small jigs tipped with small worms are working as are small spoons and blade baits. Try a Eurotackle Z Viber - we have sold a bunch and the feedback is REALLY positive. Sounds like the jumbos have been a bit moody! But plenty of good eaters to be caught. South end seems to be producing good numbers in 6-20’. A good friend of the shop and hardwater lover says that if you aren’t willing to cut the holes, you aren’t likely to get that lucky…

Horsethief Reservoir: No report this week.

Owyhee Reservoir: Lots of water in the reservoir. Gets more off color the further from the dam you get. Not a lot of fish catches being reported but if we can get some warmer weather and the south end doesn’t get crazy off color, this could be a viable option soon. As it stands right now, I’m not hustling to get over there.

Owyhee River: The Owyhee Irrigation District has warned that the flows will be temporarily dropped to 2400CFS but then elevated to 2700CFS. They recommend staying off the river for safety. Thank you to Chris with Boise River Guides for the update!!

Duck valley: SAME REPORT AS LAST WEEK!! If you have been recently and have current conditions, we’d love to hear from you!! From the Tribal Website:

February 14, 2025 –

Currently, the reservoirs do have ice in the shallow areas.

Sheep Creek ice thickness is measuring anywhere from 4 to 6 inches up to 50 feet from the shoreline in shallow areas. Deeper water is open, with thin ice growth over some open water areas.

Mountain View ice has a 1-inch layer of water atop 3-4 inches of ice up to 30 feet from the shoreline, where ice thickness drops significantly.

Trout activity is high around mid-morning at Mountain View, and Sheep Creek has been doing well in the mid-afternoon.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Plenty of open water - water temps around 40 degrees. The fish are on top but it has been slow. Let’s run our white dodgers as well as pinks!!

Arrowrock Reservoir: Some open water near the boat ramp but frozen towards the dam and South Fork. Mostly trout being caught.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Still a no go….

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: Stocker trout are available in most of the ponds right now. Take a look at the stocking report below. Try the Eurotackle Mummified Meal Worms under a float!

Shop News - Kids Jigs!, Idaho Sportsmen Show Prizes, Womens Only Class - How to Rig it!, Intro to Bass Fishing Idaho, Welcome Mama Hog and Outdoor Beards

WE HAD A BLAST at the Idaho Sportsmen Show! Thank you to new friends and old for supporting us and stopping by to say hi. We tied over 300 JIGS with the kiddos!! We love what we do and so glad we were able to share some of our love of fishing with you and your families.
WE HAVE SOME WINNERS!! If your picture is listed below in the “Catch Spotlight” portion of the newsletter, CONGRATULATIONS! Stop by the shop at 2114 Cortland Place in Nampa to pick up your prize!!
Come and check out the all new Bunker Baits wall! Excited to feature this local company with a great mission!
We will be announcing winners from our drawings from the show all week long! Pay attention to our social media platforms! We are giving away OVER $1500 worth of prizes!!
KIDS YOUTH DAY COMING SOON! Let’s get those kids out of the house and having some fun learning some new techniques, making their own lures and might even be raffling off something cool 😎
NEW WOMENS ONLY CLASS IS ON THE CALENDAR!! Join our instructor Ashley as she teaches a “How to Rig it” class!! As per usual, horsey derves (I don’t know how to spell that fancy word that just means “snacks” so leave me alone 😆 ), drinks and tons of great information in a LADIES ONLY ATMOSHPERE! Sign ups will go live on our website on Tuesday, 3/4. Class will be held at the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center on March 27th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm!
Check out the Faith Outdoor Sporting Clay Charity Shoot Information Below!!
Cipher Fishing was featured in Apple News!! See links below!
The TVB Bass Fishing Club is holding a raffle to raise money for their club. They are raffling off a Browning X-Bolt 6.5 PRC 26” Barrel with Tri-Pod. Tickets are $20/piece or 6 for $20 and only 200 tickets will be sold! Can be seen in the shop!!
New and In-Stock this week: Nishine Jerkbaits, Duo Realis Tail Spins, BnR Soft Beads, New Bead Hooks from Gamakatsu, Tatula Bass Rods 2025, 6th Sense Provokes, Plano Edge Boxes, Nories Soft Plastics
BEANIES ARE ALMOST SOLD OUT!
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

Such a great watch - the occasional naughty word but some crazy video!

Technically Speaking...

Casting a Baitcaster!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Faith Outdoors Sporting Clay Shoot!

app.scorechaser.com/tournament-0AAWHNM14ssGT1

Steelhead Season is Here!

Deadwater ice jam is out

Unofficial kick off of the steelhead season near Salmon is when the Deadwater ice jam melts on the Upper Salmon River, which broke free on Monday, March 3. Anglers can expect the river to remain turbid in the downstream areas for a few days before improving.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/deadwater-ice-jam-out

Reasons to go Steelheading this year!!

Thinking about spring steelheading? Here's 100K reasons to do it this year

It’s an exciting time because we’re seeing the best steelhead return since 2015 with more than 100,000 fish crossing Lower Granite Dam in 2024. Those fish are now moving into the headwaters and are available to anglers from Lewiston to Stanley.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/thinking-about-spring-steelheading-heres-100k-reasons-do-it-year

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

Steelhead Dam Counts

Steelhead Dam Counts

idfg.idaho.gov/fish/steelhead/dam-counts

Steelhead Reports