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Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
April 01, 2025

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Really good fishing right now at CJ for most. The crappie bite has been really consistent for both boat and bank anglers as fish have started to move shallower - 10-20’ - and closer to the bank. Your favorite soft plastic is a good bet right now - reports for what has been working are all over the place, which means most baits are working 😆! A really good bet right now would be a 2” Keitech Easy Shiner. Trolling has still been effective and tough to beat a Flicker Shad. Bass fishing has been really picking up. Warmer water up the Snake River arm has been producing the most bites. I’d have a Nishine Eerie 95 jerkbait, Spro Rk Crawler and a Cipher nail weighted Senko ready to roll. With the warmer water temps, bigger glides should start working. Give the 5” Bass Mafia Daingerous a try…Sturgeon fishing has been excellent! Sturgeon Candy, squid and trout have been working.

Boise River: Still running high and off color. I know a few folks have tried fishing it - one of them successfully caught a decent trout in a really shallow black eddie. Be careful if you go!! See a live video feed in the link below.

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: Water is up 4’ from last week, currently sitting at 2046. At that level, the Spring Rec ramp is usable. Fishing has improved significantly and is definitely worth having on your radar as I personally think it’s a couple warm days away from being absolutely on fire. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and IRR Tungsten jigs should all be rigged up! I have seen a couple of the crappie that tournament bass anglers hauled in this weekend and I’m hoping for a great year for really good sized fish!

Snake River: Water levels have been fluctuating a bit and rising water and some current seem to be the formula for catching big fish. I’d have a crankbait, jerkbait, jig and a Tungsten Finesse Jig! From the bank you wouldn’t catch me without a Crush City Ned on an IRR Tugnsten EWG Ned. Really good bait for this time of year is a Keitech on an underspin and we have a BRAND NEW product to the IRR line - a tungsten underspin with an insane Owner EWG with a screwlock and small willow blade. These are going to crush this spring! See pics below.

Wilson Springs: Fish are biting! Not big uns but hey, they’ll eat! Try a crappie jig if soaking a worm and powerbait isn’t your thing.

Lake Lowell: Couple decent days for some regulars at Lowell. The aforementioned underspin will absolutely get bit - try a 3.3 or 3.8 Keitech with it. Chatterbaits are also working, let’s go with something dark like a black and blue or just straight up green pumpkin. The brand new Z-Man Mini Jack Chatterbaits will arrive on Tuesday - I have NO DOUBT, Lowell bass will find these yummy!

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: I haven’t heard enough to safely report - just want to be honest with ya so you don’t plan a trip and have it blown up because of bad info!! Its sounds like they are still catching them through the ice but I am guessing the edges are receding. Best bet - call Freedom Outdoors or Tackle Toms.

Horsethief Reservoir: No report this week.

Owyhee Reservoir: Some reports coming in that the bass have been “kind of” eating. Cranking seems to be the method of choice at the moment. I would not go without a jerkbait, spinnerbait and a jig as well. Give the Nishine Eerie Jerkbaits a try - fished them last week at CJ and I am impressed to say the least! No reports on crappie yet but I have to think that they should be eating. Trolling points and coves is almost always a good way to catch crappie - just follow the contours.

Owyhee River: Fluctuating water levels…not where I would be right now.

Duck valley: From the Tribal Website:

March 19, 2025 – All reservoirs remain clear of ice. Anglers have been dropping floaters, and boats on the open water at both the Mountain View and Sheep Creek Reservoirs looking for some rod and reel action with reports of moderate fishing activity. Currently closed, the Billy Shaw Reservoir will open April 1, 2025.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ZACH!!! He just opened his new business! If you’re in need of Handyman Services, this is a great man!

Lucky Peak Reservoir: OK folks - starting to catch a few Kokes here. Best bet is to get away from Mores Creek and seek out cleaner water near the dam. Kokanee and stained water are not a winning pair. White dodgers have been working! Wiggle hoochies have been catching trout according to one customer whereas the Kokabow Bugs in White, Oranges and Pinks have been catching both ‘bows and kokes. Alan with Kokabow Tackle will tell you to stay on top!

Arrowrock Reservoir: Just a trout fest! I know of 2 kokes caught here last week and a BUNCH of rainbows. The dam is a good area in the spring for catching good numbers of decent trout! Try any Kokabow bug, spinner or hoochie - as well as just old school wedding rings.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Now we’re talking…Anderson can be fished and has been producing Kokanee. Fishing on top with anything from the Kokabow Glow Series and an orange, pink or white lure has been producing!

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: Ponds are producing! Kleiner park was just stocked with some nice hold over hatchery trout - give that a go for a shot at a 3+ pound rainbow. For bass, I’d have a wacky rig, Chatterbait or spinnerbait and a jerkbait…

New Size Tungsten Jig!, New IRR Products, Mini Jacks, Crappie Tournament, SOLD OUT Link and Imperium Rods, Mega Bass Destroyer Rod Give Away

I am EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE a new 1/4 oz size in the Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Finesse Series of jigs! If you are looking for an ultra finesse presentation and/or are fishing with a spinning rod - I think you are going to love this new bait! This jig was the #1 Selling Bait in the SHOP last year - and for good reason!
Keep an eye on our social media as we announce the arrival of some new IRR Tungsten Products over the next few days including a super clean underspin, tear-drop shaped free rig weights and small Carolina rig barrel weights!
The Crappie Shootout is this weekend at CJ Strike! Expect to see well over 200 boats on the water…
With the warm weather increasing and the fishing picking up, we have sold out of several Link and Imperium rods. The very popular Blue Rod is sold out as are the Medium Spinning, Medium Heavy Casting and Carbon Handled Jerkbait rods. Medium casting are LOW - these are our moving bait specials…chatterbaits, cranks and lipless are all great options on this rod. If you are interested in a 44ton, premium rod with all fuji components and half the price of like rods on the market - come on in and see us!
We have a Mega Bass Super Destroyer Jig Rod that we are raffling off for Local Angler Nick Epler to help him try to fund his trip to Clearlake in April to fish a WON Bass tourney. This is a $500 rod. Tickets are $5 each, we will only sell 100 tickets.
The limited run Lucky Craft Staysee 90’s are SOLD OUT! That’s over 60 baits in less than 2 days…trying to get more!
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!!
Idaho Bass Masters Club is raffling of a Springfield Armory 1911 Garrison and 300 rounds of ammo with all of the proceeds going to fund their youth tournament prizes. Last year this tourney had over 60 kiddos!! Tickets are $20 a piece and 6 for $100.
New and In-Stock this week: Nishine Simcoe 75 Lipless Baits, Nishine Eerie and Chippawa’s, Kokabow Dodgers and Lures, Dodger Storage Bags, Nishine Soft Plastics, Z Man Baby Jacks
NEW HATS ON THE WAY!! 3 New Designs!
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

Trout Fishing on the Payette

Technically Speaking...

Bunch of this happening this weekend!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Walleye in Idaho

Ririe Reservoir Walleye Update

Fisheries biologists share the results of monitoring efforts for Walleye on Ririe Reservoir and the potential impact they can have on fish populations.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/ririe-reservoir-walleye-update

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

Steelhead Reports

Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (03-25-2025)

idfg.idaho.gov/article/upper-salmon-river-steelhead-fishing-report-03-25-2025