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Hook Points

Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
January 05, 2026

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Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Here’s the down and dirty! Crappie, perch and trout - good. Bass - bad. 🤣 The perch schools are huge! Several reports from different anglers saying the same thing - the perch are schooled up and there are a bunch of them! Take some of the Northland Tackle Gumball Minnows and Puppet Minnows and have at it! Trout are biting and there are some good ones to catch! Starting to hear about deeper catches - 20+ feet. The usual suspects are getting it done - that’s Flicker Shads, Shad Raps and Kokabow Dodgers and Bugs. Longer setbacks were effective for one angler that had a great day. He had his gear out 100 to 120’, trolled at 1.5 to 1.8mph with an ounce on a snap weight on the line. Purple and white cranks and the Kokabow gear did a number on the trout while the perch patterned cranks caught several crappie. Bass fishing for quite a few anglers went cold this week. I do need to mention - not everyone struggled - there are definitely still bass to catch. Major difference between the not catching and the catching? Depth! The guys catching were out in 35-40’ fishing slow - blade baits and Keitechs. My favorite winter swimbait set up is going to be a 3.3 Fat Swing Impact Keitech in Rainbow Shad or Pro Blue Pearl, a 1/4oz Cipher Tungsten Ball Head, Link “Tech” rod and a Daiwa Zillion, 6.3:1 with 8# test Invizx. The rod helps protect the light line and the reel helps me cast a mile…

Boise River: I mentioned last week that I haven’t heard about any stealies being caught and immediately a few of you mentioned you had either caught one or had heard of a few catches. That’s awesome! If you are going to target them, try a soft bead. Take a look at the Death Roe beads in the shop - so many great colors. Lots of questions in the shop about how to rig a float rod for bead fishing. I’ll try to get a video out this week on that. Lots of rainbows being caught and a few browns as well. Shrimp on a jig head under a float, small minnow baits like the Northland Tackle Tungsten Pin Fry or Candy Larvae Bug will help you catch a few good ones!

For those still hunting Ocean Trouts, fish were dropped at the following locations:

Glenwood Bridge
Americana Bridge
Below the Broadway Avenue Bridge, behind Boise State University
West Parkcenter Bridge
Barber Park

Brownlee: Current water level is 2070, 1’ down from last week. New ramp at the Spring Rec site is in the water and easily accessible - no dock. Fishing has been hot and cold - going to be a bit of a lottery ticket if you decide to fish here but hey, it’s fishing - take your chances! There have been some really good fish caught - guys been working for them though. Keep it simple right now, 3.3 Keitech in your favorite color on a Cipher Head, a Damiki Vault Blade Bait and if you’re throwing on Forward Facing, a Mooch Minnow on a Cipher Head.

Snake River: Probably the most consistent producer right now - especially if you want to bank fish. Check out areas like Swan Falls Dam, Map Rock, Celebration Park and over by the boat launch at Walters Ferry. A small tube jig Texas rigged, a hair jig if you have them or know how to tie them, a 3.3 Keitech or 4” Easy Shiner on a lead head (so if you lose them you don’t cry as hard as if it was a Tungsten head 🤣 ) and an IRR Tungsten Finesse jig.

Wilson Springs: Couple reports about a few small fish caught. Crowds are low and if you keep an eye on the weather, you can have a nice day out here to yourself. Powerbait and nightcrawlers on small Carolina rigs are always good ways to go.

Lake Lowell: No Report.

Cascade Reservoir: Had some ice…and then we didn’t. Jeff from Freedom Outdoors mentioned that there is some ice up by Boulder Creek and a few folks have been tempting fate on it but maybe wait just a bit longer. Some cold nights ahead! So hopefully we have solid ice SOON!! Jeff is estimating the end of this week - if ya got fingers, cross ‘em!! If you aren’t, give these guys a follow. The reports are excellent!

Horsethief Reservoir: Sounds like we have ice but its early stuff. Jeff with Freedom Outdoors is reminding everyone to be careful and make sure you have your safety gear!!

Owyhee Reservoir: Had a couple of customers catch quite a few crappie on an afternoon outing. Nothing over 11’ but a lot of them. Have not had a bass report from the Owyhee in a while.

Owyhee River: No report.

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!!

No Report.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Very good reports this week from Lucky Peak for trout and a few kokes. Reports came from 2 anglers that spent a couple days on the water. Rods were set back 80’ and 60’ with fish being caught 15’ or shallower on white Kokabow dodgers and pink hoochies along with Silver/Green dodgers, Pink/Silver dodgers with orange hoochies and white spinners. Had a bank angler report that he caught several small rainbows below the dam on Meps and Blue Fox spinners.

Arrowrock Reservoir: There are fish coming out of Arrowrock with a few more Kokanee showing up. Lots of rainbows keeping things entertaining and one customer reported that the food quality has been excellent for the plentiful rainbows he’s been catching. Couple set ups that are working: Black/Pink dodgers, Wonderbread dodgers and a mix of pink, orange and white spinners and hoochies.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: No Report

Local Ponds: No Reports from any ponds this week.

2026!, Kokanee Class, Ice Fishing Class with Tightlines 208!, Heavy Link Rods AVAIL FOR PRE ORDER, New Boat

Happy New Year everyone! I am excited for what the year holds! The shop theme for 2026 will be all about helping you catch PB’s! Going to be an insane year.
We have started planning for our Spring Kokanee Kickoff with Alan and Kokabow Tackle! We have some exciting stuff planned with huge discounts on rods, reels, downriggers and more!
Join Jordan Rodriguez with Tightlines 208 and learn all about Ice Fishing in Idaho!! This was a crowded class last year!! DOWNLOAD the advertisement below for sign up info!
Several of you have been waiting for this! The Heavy Link Casting Rods will be in stock soon! As with all of our rod shipments, we will set up a Pre-Order discount. This helps us offset a little bit of the huge upfront costs for manufacturing these rods and helps you save a few bucks. Hopefully its a win/win for all of us. The heavy is a multi-purpose rod, perfect for Carolina rigs, flipping, frogging and lighter glide baits up to 2 ounces. PRE ORDER WILL BE LIVE ON TUESDAY!! Pre order price is $129.99. MSRP will be $144.99.
Check out the new boat listing in “The Marina”. If you are in the market for a fish and ski style boat that the whole family can enjoy - this is an absolute perfect boat! Make ‘26 all about spending time on the water and making memories.
One of the things that makes us a little different is our commitment to manufacturing high quality products that improve the quality of fishing for our community. Link rods, Tungsten Finesse Jigs, Clothing, the new Forge Rods and more…WAIT TIL YOU SEE WHAT WE HAVE COMING IN 2026!! The shop theme for 2026 will be all about PB’s!! Gonna be fun…
INTRODUCING 2 NEW IRR CUSTOM RODS - The very affordable FORGE series of rods are designed with a custom blank designed by and only available at Idaho Rod and Reel. This is a 34 ton blank, beautifully built and designed to handle multiple fishing techniques! Models include a 7’ M Fast Spinning and a 7’3” MH Fast Casting Rod. Rods are priced at $89.99. Pair the casting rod with a Daiwa AIRD Casting Reel and a Daiwa Exceler Spinning Reel and you have 2 combos for less than $200 each that I’d be more than happy to tournament fish with!!
^{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.}

	Ice Fishing Tightlines 208!.pdf189.67 KB • PDF File

Worth Watching

Bucket List…

Technically Speaking...

Getting boats ready for winter/

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

DON’T FORGET YOUR LICENSE FOR 2026!!

Why you should buy your 2026 hunting/fishing license now, not later

With a little bit of mental preparation, the right gear, and an up-to-date hunting and/or fishing license, you can take advantage of every day the calendar gives you and beat that cabin fever. Here, in no particular order, are eight reasons to buy your 2026 licenses and ensure a full year of hunting and fishing.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/why-you-should-buy-your-2026-huntingfishing-license-now-not-later

Steelhead/Salmon UPDATE!

Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (12-02-2025)

idfg.idaho.gov/article/upper-salmon-river-steelhead-fishing-report-12-02-2025

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

You had me at “Fluke”…