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Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
October 08, 2024

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Trout fishing has really picked up from both the bank and for those trolling. From the bank, try the areas next to the dam with nightcrawlers and powerbait. There are several access points for camping that have good bank fishing - go explore a few of those and toss in a line or two. Crappie and perch are biting. Trolling works but the guys that seem to be having the most success are fishing vertically with small Keitechs and Jigging Raps in 15-25’ of water. Schools are spread out but there are many of them. Bass fishing has been really good for smaller fish and decent for good ones! Drop shots, crankbaits, topwater walking baits early and on overcast days and tis the season for glides, big swimbaits and umbrella rigs.

Boise River: Good fishing on the river. The usual suspects are catching fish: Ultralight Heavyweights jigs, small minnow style baits like the 2-3” Berkley minnows on a small jig head and small crankbaits and jerkbaits. Customer just caught their PB Brown last week on a Lucky Craft Pointer 65. Under a float is a GREAT way to catch these fish!

Brownlee: Harmful Algae Bloom advisory in effect for Brownlee and Hells Canyon Reservoirs. Water levels are 2046 - down a foot or two from last week. You can see the current ramp levels on the image below. Fishing for Crappie, Bass and Catfish has been good at Brownlee. Bass fishing is a bit of a “junk” fishermans paradise…just about everything will get the job done right now! I’d have a crankbait, Reaction Innovations Vixen, Carolina rigged Speed Craw, Crush City Ned and a 3.3 Fat Swing Impact Keitech in the Smallmouth Magic Color and an Idaho Rod and Reel All Brown Tungsten Finesse jig with a Strike King Rage Ned Craw trailer rigged up. The crappie have been around main lake points. You’ll mark smaller fish around 15-25’ but large slabs are a bit deeper and not as schooled up. Couple bass anglers reported catching good ones while bass fishing with 3.3 Keitechs and on small crankbaits.

Snake River: River is fishing well for bass and catfish. If you are struggling to find the cats, you may be fishing too deep. They do spend time in the deep holes - but its fall and these fish are eating to get ready for the winter. That means they are up shallower hunting. Customer recommended beef liver over the commonly used chicken liver and had great success. For the bass, try the Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Finesse Football jigs in areas with a sand or rock bottom. Brian and I had a great day with Jerkbaits and senkos using the Idaho Rod and Reel Wacky Jigs!

Wilson Springs: Good fishing! Has been stocked recently and the water is starting to clear up - don’t read that to mean “Cleared Up”! Still going to have to get your baits in the gaps between the junk out there but there is a little less of it. Powerbait works well out here. Throw it on a light Carolina style rigging…

Lake Lowell: Fish are being caught with regularity and close to the bank. Try a swim jig, chatterbait or weightless texas rigged senko.

Lake Cascade: Good perch fishing and decent smallmouth fishing. Try a 3.3 Keitech. You’ll probably catch both smallies and perch. Trolling salmos and flicker shads have been really effective for the perch AND TROUT! I’d have a jerkbait, Carolina rig and a drop shot for the smallmouth.

Owyhee River: No report this week.

Owyhee Reservoir: A very good friend of mine and friend of the shop reported excellent bass fishing and crappie fishing this weekend. Try a 3/4 oz football jig and a dark/black and white crankbait for the bass - something like a Strike King 5 or 6XD. Jigging raps and Big Bite Baits Kamikaze Swimons caught several crappie that I know of as well.

Duck valley: From the Tribal website:

September 17, 2024 –Colder temperatures dropping down has increased the fishing activity, less than two weeks ago the temperatures were in excess of 70 degrees, and current readings are registering 55-60 degrees, quite a significant drop. All three reservoirs have been productive to anglers; however, moss build-up has congested many off-shore fishing spots. Open water lay further away from the shore in some areas.

Sheep Creek is doing well, however, some anglers are finding areas in Sheep Creek a bit slow due to the presence of algae on the west end near the dam, where the algae is expected to clear up with the seasonal temperature drop.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Walleye bite is fire 😅 - only report I heard all week.

Arrowrock Reservoir: No kokanee or trout report but had a few customers get their kayaks out and go catch a TON of 12-13” smallies on topwater poppers and Ned rigs.

Anderson Ranch: No report this week.

Local Ponds: I’ve seen a couple of really good bass this last week from the ponds. They have been hitting neds, jigs and senkos. Trout stocking has created good urban fisheries right now!

Shop News - Classes, ACC Crappie Rods and Custom Rod Update

Great turnout for the Steelhead class with Hells Canyon guide Cody Ard! Thanks to all that attended. Reminder: Fall is hardware and shrimp season, Spring is egg season.
New Classes Coming Soon!
Pre-Ordering for the New Idaho Rod and Reel Link rods will go live next week. Can’t wait for you to see the new cork handled versions! First models available will be: 7’1” M Fast Casting, 7’3” MH Fast Casting, 6’7” M Jerkbait Casting, 7’1” M Fast Spinning. More to come!
Looney Coonies are in Stock Now! This is a bait that all the steelhead guides are using! Specially formulated with a chemical that helps steelhead CLOSE THEIR MOUTH
Look for End of Season Closeouts in store! Rods, reels, baits and more…
In Stock Now: Looney Coonie Coon Shrimp, Steelhead Slammer Hand Made Spinners, Mag Lips 3.5, Addicted Fishing Steelehead Jigs, Daiwa Tatula MQ Spinning Reels, Daiwa Tatula Elite Rods, Daiwa Metallia Steelhead Rods, Damiki Blade Baits for both Bass and PERCH!, Z Man Scented Jerk Shadz, Damiki Strolling Heads,
I’d love to hear from you about products that you would like to see in the shop. Email me at [email protected]…one random suggestion just might end up winning you a prize

Worth Watching

For the Steelheaders!

Technically Speaking...

Great for so many species

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Steelhead Report

Upper Salmon River Fall 2024 Steelhead Fishing Update (9-30-2024)

idfg.idaho.gov/article/upper-salmon-river-fall-2024-steelhead-fishing-update-9-30-2024

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

Dworshak Info:

Dworshak Reservoir 2024-25 Fisheries Update

Dworshak Reservoir has provided great angling opportunities in 2024. Reports from anglers and research by Idaho Fish & Game showed that kokanee fishing was better than the previous two years and Smallmouth Bass continued to provide a world-class fishery. Additionally, Rainbow Trout stocking provided diverse opportunities for both boat and shore anglers.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/dworshak-reservoir-2024-25-fisheries-update