Hook Points
Posts
Hook Points

Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
January 27, 2025

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Sounds like fishing has slowed a bit as the temps have really started to drop. Day time temps are still mild for this time of year but we are seeing really cold night time temps. Crappie have been easy to find but have been taking a little sweet talking to get them to eat. Best bets are going to be vertical fishing and trolling. For vertical presentations, its no secret that I like the jigging raps and for trolling - I’m going with a Flicker shad or Salmo Hornet. Don’t surprised at all if you catch a few trout on the troll! Add some kind of scent or bait with everything you are throwing right now! I have not heard of many bass being caught. If you are targeting them, get on the bottom and fish slow! Keitechs and blade baits would be on my rods.

Boise River: Still fishing well and some really nice browns are being caught! Do not be afraid to throw big baits! Like 4” bass jerkbaits 🤫! Multiple catches last week that I know of on jig heads and shrimp. You want to be around deeper water eddies with access to shallow, slow water just outside of current.

Brownlee: Water levels are at 2059 and have been slowly dropping. Not hot and heavy for bass right now and with the cold nights, there very well could be some ice in the areas that aren’t seeing much sun during the day. If you were to target bass here, I’m guessing you are looking for 20-30’ deep water on gently sloping mud/gravel banks or look for suspended fish tucked up tight to some steeper bluff banks. I’d be throwing a 3.3 Keitech and a 3/8oz Damiki blade bait. If you are looking for crappie, there are several schools that are frequently found around the Woodhead boat launch. Get on the troll and head up towards the dam checking out all the points and coves along the way. A flicker shad or Shad Rap should help you catch a few and I’ve had a few customers pleasantly surprised with the size of trout that live at that end of the reservoir.

Snake River: Bass fishing has slowed down on the river but still one of the more reliable bass spots at the moment. Expect a shorter feeding window and I wouldn’t be in a hurry to get on the water. Keitechs, blades and maybe a nail weight would be in my arsenal.

Wilson Springs: No report this week.

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: Good ice fishing reports this week. Good ice and snow in the forecast - guessing this week will be another good one up on Cascade. Lots of guys are doing well with tip ups, small jig heads and small worms from Tackle Toms or Freedom Outdoors. The jigging spoons and small blade style baits are not only catching perch but doing a number on big trout! Good reports coming from areas just north of Sugarloaf. The guys having the most success finding jumbos that I have talked to said they are moving frequently and cutting quite a few holes.

Horsethief Reservoir: Good ice and decent numbers of small trout are being caught. Jig heads with a little nightcrawler as well as small jigging spoons should do the trick!

Owyhee Reservoir: No report this week.

Owyhee River: No report.

Duck valley: From the Tribal Website:

January 13, 2025 –Ice growth along the shallows has closed off most the shallow topwater, but far from thick enough to support any substantial weight. Deeper waters remain wide open, with the exception of an overnight quick-freeze, which can seal open topwater with at least a sixteenth inch of an ice cap, currently, bank fishing is possible, depending on weather conditions.

The moss and algae throughout the reservoirs have rescinded somewhat with the current seasonal temperature drop, and will continue to dissipate as we move further into the winter months.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: No report this week.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Couple reports from this week - be careful on the ramp, sounds like ice can be a problem. Really good reports for trout and ok reports for Kokanee. Alan with Kokabow Tackle recommends moving or changing speeds/depths if you keep hooking trout. Pink dodgers and lures have been the baits that I know of. One customer reported catching a few on the Wiggle Hoochies.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Sounds like we have a lot of snow and ice. I am not sure about the ramp by the dam but it sounds like Curlew is definitely iced up and snowed in. Love to be able to know for sure so if someone has been, love to hear from you!!

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 - Kokanee Class is FILLING UP!, STURGEON CLASS AND ROD GIVE AWAY, What the Heck is a Coike?

FILLING FAST!!! JOIN US FOR A FREE KOKANEE SEMINAR with Locally Owned, KOKABOW FISHING TACKLE! Sign up at idahorodandreel.com under the “Classes” tab. We will have 2 SESSIONS on February 8 from 10am to noon and then 1pm to 3pm! HUGE discounts on Kokanee rods, reels and tackle will be available to attendees! MANY people wait for this sale to gear up for the Kokanee season - that’s how good the sales are!
Crappie/Trout anglers!! Come check out the new top selling rod in the shop built just for you. The Imperium UL spinning rod is 6’6” and WEIGHS LESS than 3 ounces! Fast action and a 40 ton blank make it so sensitive and perfect for tough bites. Strong enough for those bass that bite your crappie jigs as well…
STURGEON CLASS!! FREE RAFFLE FOR A HELLCAT ROD JUST FOR ATTENDING!!! Join Hells Canyon Sturgeon Guide Cody Ard, as he spends the evening talking to us about how to find and catch the awesome sturgeon we have here in Idaho!! Class will be FREE!! Class will be held at the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center on Thursday, Feb. 6th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. We will have snacks, drinks and tons of great instruction! Registration will be live on Tuesday 1/28 for this class!!
Lots of classes in the works! Idaho Rod and Reel is going to do EVERYTHING we can do get you on fish in 2025! Coming soon: Spring Kokanee Kickoff (see info above), Sturgeon Fishing with Hells Canyon guide Cody Ard (SEE INFO ABOVE), Bass Fishing for Beginners (taught by this crazy dude that owns Idaho Rod and Reel 😂 ) and another Ladies Only Night at Idaho Rod and Reel will be in the works soon!
Idaho Rod and Reel is excited to introduce a new vendor from Japan, Hideup Tackle! NOW IN STOCK - the hard to find and highly desired Coike 17mm baits and Shrimp baits!! We sold SEVERAL today and they were only on the counter for a few hours!! Get some while supplies last - will not always be in stock due to global demand for the Hideup products!!
VERY COOL SHOP ANNOUNCEMENT COMING THIS WEEK!! CANNOT WAIT TO SHOW YOU WHAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON!!
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 of something cool 😎
The new Cipher Fishing Company started right here in Nampa Idaho is producing the highest quality Tungsten products on the market. Designed and fished by the best - it is the top seller last week by a MILE! Thank you for helping us start this company off with a bang!
BIG CHANGES at the shop coming in 2025! We are more committed to your success than we ever have been and we want you to know how passionate we are about taking care of the people that take care of our little shop! We still think the #smallshoplife is the best life…you’ll see 😉!
Spring inventory is starting to show up! Keitech will be here on Tuesday, BnR Soft beads have arrived, Spro coming soon, can’t wait for a little bit more sun!
Link Rod Inventory Update: 7’1” Link Medium Spinning - Cork Handle are SOLD OUT. 7’1” Link Medium Spinning - GRAPHITE handle - 1 LEFT. 7’3” MH Casting in both CORK and GRAPHITE are almost sold out. 7’ Imperium - almost sold out.
New and In-Stock this week: BnR Soft Beads, Keitech, Daiwa Reels and so much more arriving this week!
BEANIES! In Stock and a steal at $12.99
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

From a local youtuber and friend of mine!

Technically Speaking...

Side Imaging Tips!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Spring and Summer Chinook Updates

F&G to host spring/summer Chinook salmon public meetings in February

Idaho Fish and Game will be hosting six public meetings for anglers to provide comments and opinions for spring/summer Chinook salmon fisheries. The meetings are slated for February, are free to attend, and (best of all) complimentary pizza and beverages will be provided.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/fg-host-springsummer-chinook-salmon-public-meetings-february

Ice Fishing! Another great way to enjoy the Idaho Outdoors

Haven't tried ice fishing yet? Here's what you're missing

Ice fishing is not just another fishing trip, it’s a whole different fishing experience. If you haven't tried ice fishing, you're missing out on a fun, inexpensive winter activity that's a great way to catch lots of tasty fish.

idfg.idaho.gov/press/here-are-top-reasons-go-ice-fishing-winter

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