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Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
May 28, 2025

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: It has been another good week at CJ. I expect this week to be more of the same with maybe a small change in crappie location as I expect some of them to start moving a bit deeper. All that means is you might need to spend some time moving/looking around at places other than the bank. Small humps, insides and outsides of points and around the backs of coves are good places to explore. Trolling Flicker Shads and Shad Raps can come back into play. I’m not saying to abandon the banks entirely - in fact I’d start by throwing Northland Tackle baits and Z Man baits towards the bank. Bass are going to be spread out as well. You will find some shallow and some not so shallow - maybe even as deep as 20’. For shallow bass, try a walking bait like a Teckel Kicknocker, flipping tullies with the new Big Bite Baits FAFO, a Damiki TOT spinnerbait and a Keitech. For deeper fish, try a Tungsten finesse jig, drop shot Roboworm, Z Man Finesse TRD, deeper diving crankbait like a Strike King 3XD and a Big Bite Baits Tour Tube on a 3/16 Bite Me Tube head. Really good reports for sturgeon as well!

Boise River: With the flows being consistent for the past couple weeks, more and more people are finding success on the river. I would give these baits and rigs a try - small Powerbait minnows on a 1/8oz drop shot, Shad Rap in crayfish or purple, shrimp under a float or simple split shot rig.

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 currently at 2064 - and hasn’t changed much in a week, this is good!! Fishing has been fire for smallmouth and not too bad at all for crappie. The crappie take some hunting to find but the size makes them worth it. Schools are a bit more split up and not as large and some have moved off the banks. Trolling Flicker Shads, Keitechs and Shad Raps can be a good way to cover water and find them. For years, my go to pattern immediately after the crappie move off the shallows in Spring is to go to main lake points and look in 15-20’. I find they can be a little moody after their first move to deeper water but can be caught with persistence. I love Keitech Easy Shiners and the feedback from anglers fishing the new products from Northland Tackle has been amazing! Grab a few of these baits and see if one becomes your new favorite. Bass can be caught on a bunch of stuff right now from crankbaits and jerkbaits to jigs and soft plastics. Here are a few that I know caught fish last week…Spro Little John in the Cell Mate color, Idaho Rod and Reel Perch Jerkbait, Strike King Dreamshot in Green Pumpkin on a drop shot, Berkley Little General Ned and a Whopper Plopper in White. Lots of catfish are being caught and they are not very deep. Simple cut baits, nightcrawlers will get it done!

Snake River: Good fishing right now but mostly smaller fish being reported. Try a small popper in bone or a whopper plopper in white or black, a green pumpkin senko rigged wacky style on a drop shot, a Keitech and without a doubt, I would have an IRR Tungsten Finesse jig with either a Zoom UV Speed Craw or a Strike King Rage Ned Bug trailer in Dirt or Green Pumpkin. For catfish, one customer recommends fishing in deeper areas that are close to the bank in areas around the Marsing bridge and around the airport and boat launch in Homedale.

Wilson Springs: No report again this week.

Lake Lowell: Fishing reports have not been awesome but not terrible either - just kind of meh…but my gut says its going to pop off this week. I’d have a Spro Frog in white or black or a Jackall Kaera in Bluegill, a Swim Jig in white with a 3.8 Keitech trailer and a good friend of the shop threw the Big Bite Baits FAFO with really good success recommending that people fish around thicker trunked trees.

Cascade Reservoir: Perch fishing remains good but the jumbos have moved out a bit deeper. I think you are likely to find them in 15-20’. Trolling perch colored cranks has been the ticket for most. A couple of customers caught them on the Northland Tackle underspins that they were trolling alongside Shad Raps. Bass fishing has been a little spotty but worth the effort as there have been some really nice smallies caught. We should see them up on the banks any day now. Take a look at a Nishine Erie 95 jerkbait or a Lucky Craft Pointer 100, a Lucky Craft Gunfish or Teckel Kicknocker in Bone, Keitech 3.3 in green pumpkin or white and I’d probably have something like a Z Man Scented Jerk Shad in white or a Rapala Crush City Mooch Minnow in perch on a Cipher Ball Head. For the largemouth, head north and play around the docks with a Senko or your favorite flipping bait. I love just an old school Reaction Innovations beaver style bait.

Horsethief Reservoir: No report.

Owyhee Reservoir: LOTS of little crappie being caught and they are easily accessible from the bank. Store manager caught several this weekend on Northland Tackle Pan Candy Leeches on a drop shot. The bigger crappie are deeper - 10-15’ - and the schools are much smaller. On your electronics, they might even look like singles. Try a Northland Tackle underspin…they have been getting bit by more than just crappie! The bass seem to think they are alright as well! Its a great time to get the topwater baits out! Explore rocky areas for smallies with Teckel Kicknockers and grab a frog to throw around cover for the largemouth. An underspin is a good idea as a search bait, as is a 3.8 Keitech on a Cipher ball head. Give a Yum Christie Critter a go when you’re flipping bushes for largies. Spinnerbaits have been hit or miss but I’d have one with me for sure.

Owyhee River: Water has been a little off color. If you want to catch em, jig heads and minnow baits will totally get bit. Try a Keitech 3” Easy Shiner on a 1/8oz ball head…

Duck valley: RECENTLY STOCKED! From the Reservation Website:

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: Ok reports for Kokanee, better for trout. Best reports are coming from around the dam in 10-15’ EARLY in the morning. Pinks and oranges are just dominating right now…

Arrowrock Reservoir: Not many kokanee being caught at all. If you are heading here, target trout with wedding rings, Flicker Shads, and Kokabow dodgers and bugs and don’t froget about the smallies! They are usually small-ish but very willing! Simple curly tail grubs in black and red, 3.3 Keitechs in green pumpkin shades and even small poppers.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Decent place to fish right now for trout, smallish kokes and smallies. For the trout and kokanee, get on the troll out in 15-20’ of water with Kokabow dodgers in pinks and orange variations. DON’T forget the corn! Smallies can be caught with Ned rigs, flukes (weightless and on a Carolina rig), jerkbait and a drop shot!

Payette Lake: Good fishing right now for Kokes and you might just happen into a laker! Look for fish on top - long lining about 80-100’ behind the boat at 1.3-1.4mph early in the morning. As the sun starts to rise, you might need to start exploring between 10-20’. Oranges, pinks and just silver seems to be the trick!

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: Don’t forget about the bluegills! You’ll start to see them very shallow and they make for a lot of fun to catch! Look at the Northland Tackle Larvae Bugs!

Beginning Bass Fishing CLASS ALMOST FULL!, Teckel Kicknockers Avail for a Limited Time!, Check out our Video on how to Fish them with Cody Murray, Link/Imperium Rods Almost Gone!, Hats!! If all goes right…IN STOCK ON Wednesday!

Join us for a FREE BEGINNER BASS FISHING CLASS taught by Ryan Chris, Owner of Idaho Rod and Reel. This class is targeting the beginner bass angler and is DESIGNED TO CUT THE FLUFF AND GET YOU ON FISH RIGHT NOW!! Sign up at idahorodandreel.com under the “Classes” tab. As of 10:00pm Tuesday night, there are ONLY 9 SPOTS LEFT! Thursday, May 29 from 6:30pm to 8pm.
CURRENTLY IN STOCK, BUT VERY LOW: 6’6” Imperium UL Spinning, 7’ Imperium Light (green blank) Spinning, 7’5” Heavy Casting, 7’6” Medium Light Moving Bait Casting
We will have TECKEL KICKNOCKERS available for a limited time STARTING ON WEDNESDAY 5/28!!
New video coming out soon! Topwater walking bait tutorial by former FLW Professional, Cody Murray!
We have HIRED a couple of new employees!! Cannot WAIT for you to meet them! Stay TUNED!!
New and In-Stock this week: Teckel Kicknockers, Several Zoom Baits, Z Man Storage, Plano 3700 4-Packs, Fly Fishing Essentials from Rio, Hog Farmer Soft Plastics and MORE!
NEW HATS ON THE WAY!! FINALLY!!! HOPING TO SEE 3 NEW DESIGNS ON WEDNESDAY 5/28!!
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

Great watch if you have time to kill!

Technically Speaking...

This is how I tie the FG Knot! IT IS NOT DIFFICULT!!! Best Braid to Leader KNOT!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Salmon Update!

Portion of lower Salmon River is closed for adult Chinook harvest May 27

Harvesting adult Chinook salmon on a portion of the lower Salmon River is closed effective immediately May 27. This section of river will remain open to fishing for Chinook salmon Thursday-Sunday, but only jacks may be harvested.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/portion-lower-salmon-river-closed-adult-chinook-harvest-may-27

Salmon Limits!

F&G Commission increases Chinook limits on the Clearwater River

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission on May 22 increased the daily and possession limits for Chinook in the Clearwater River due to runs coming in above the preseason forecast. Changes take effect immediately.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/fg-commission-increases-chinook-limits-clearwater-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

SPRING CHINOOK DETAILS!

Spring Chinook Salmon Fishing Update 5/27/2025: Rapid River Run, Hells Canyon, and Clearwater River Fisheries

idfg.idaho.gov/article/spring-chinook-salmon-fishing-update-5272025-rapid-river-run-hells-canyon-and-clearwater

Upper Salmon River Chinook Update - 5/22/2025

idfg.idaho.gov/article/upper-salmon-river-chinook-update-5222025

Steelhead Dam Counts

Steelhead Dam Counts

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

Steelhead Reports

Checking the pulse of Idaho's salmon and steelhead runs

When it comes to Idaho’s migrating salmon and steelhead, we can get a quick idea of the health of the populations by counting the number of fish passing dams on their migration. Like a pulse, it doesn’t tell us everything, but it is a good first cut at how healthy our fish populations are.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/checking-pulse-idahos-salmon-and-steelhead-runs