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Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
February 24, 2025

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: It was a bit of a tough week for most but with warming weather, things are about to change. Crappie have been biting for those covering water with Flicker Shads and Shad Raps. The Shad Rap was designed to be a coldwater killer - I really like it this time of the year. For those looking for schools and then fishing vertically, small plastics have been working. One customer highly recommends tipping your baits with pieces of Berkley Gulp maggots or crawlers. I like it. Trout have been biting - get your gear 60ish feet behind the boat and start covering water at 1.4-1.8mph was the recommendation from one customer who consistently does well at CJ. Putting the boat in about 20’ of water and working closer to the banks has been working well for him. He recommends just old school wedding rings for the trout and Flicker Shads. The bass have been tough for most. As the temps start warming, I think that will change. There are plenty of decent bass in the main bowl for those willing to slow down their baits. I’d have a 3.3 Keitech, a drop shot and a blade bait rigged up. Wouldn’t be scared to start exploring shallower with Jerkbaits either…

Boise River: With the rain and snow melt, gotta keep your eyes on the river as it can get blown out. As the color starts to clear up a bit - LOOK SHALLOW! Generally, trout will push really shallow when the water rises and gets off color. They want to be where they can see/hunt and not fight crazy current. Really good time to throw moving baits. I’d be excited to try some of the new Iron Decoy lures we just brought in!! See pics below.

Brownlee: Water levels are at 2033. Spring Ramp is not useable. With warming temps and water, I expect Brownlee to start picking up SOON! Sunny days can attract some good fish shallow where a red lipless or Spro RK Crawler can get bit. No reports from the week - but I am expecting this place to fire up soon. As the water rises - watch for debris!! BIG LOGS are not UNCOMMON in Brownlee.

Snake River: Mixed reports from the river right now. Guys that went this weekend seemed to struggle while I had a couple decent reports from earlier in the week. Gotta keep our eyes on this one as the water clarity and levels can change as run off and rainwater start moving through. I would have a jig for sure - maybe even a black or dark green one with a downsized trailer. Try the IRR Vader or Green Pumpkin Special - with a Strike King Rage Ned trailer.

Wilson Springs: Lots of little trout being caught here. Powerbait, nightcrawlers.

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: Most are reporting steady action from Cascade this last week. Seems like the trout were pretty active and many were catching them on spoons or still rigs with nightcrawlers. Eurotackle Z Vibers caught quite a few perch as did perch jigs tipped with wax worms that I know of. Cold nights but warmer days make the slush a real possibility. I’m guessing if you are wanting to be at Cascade, you’re going to need to be prepared to deal with slush for a while. 48 degrees by Saturday!! 🫠

Horsethief Reservoir: SAME REPORT AS LAST WEEK! Lots of smaller rainbows being caught. Sounds like a good place to go to right now for a decent bite. Nightcrawlers, powerbait and small spoons.

Owyhee Reservoir: No report this week.

Owyhee River: A couple reports came in last week and they were decent. Couple of my good fly fishing buddies were able to snatch a few on streamers - which tells me that Dynamic Lures HD Trout and other cranks/jerks could work as well. Watching the flows on this one though…follow the guys at Boise River Guides for Owyhee water flow and condition reports.

Duck valley: From the Tribal Website:

February 14, 2025 –

Currently, the reservoirs do have ice in the shallow areas.

Sheep Creek ice thickness is measuring anywhere from 4 to 6 inches up to 50 feet from the shoreline in shallow areas. Deeper water is open, with thin ice growth over some open water areas.

Mountain View ice has a 1-inch layer of water atop 3-4 inches of ice up to 30 feet from the shoreline, where ice thickness drops significantly.

Trout activity is high around mid-morning at Mountain View, and Sheep Creek has been doing well in the mid-afternoon.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Couple of OK reports this week! Seems as though mostly trout are being caught but got word of a few kokes too! Fish are on top and orange, pink and white seem to be the deal. Turner Gulch is accessible from what I am hearing.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Trout is all that I have heard of. With the weather warming, this should be on your early season “to fish” list.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: No report this week. Still going to be a minute…

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 - Idaho Sportsman Show, Spring Inventory, Lots of New Stuff, Cipher Fishing in the News

SEE YOU AGAIN AT THE IDAHO SPORTSMAN SHOW! Come say hi and see what we have going on in the booth this year! Feb 27, Mar 1-2 at EXPO IDAHO! As we do every year - fun stuff and giveaways in the booth!
Huge Spro Restock! Just in time for warming water and spring cranking!
Come and check out the all new Bunker Baits wall! Excited to feature this local company with a great mission!
Some exciting Spring Events Coming up! Tournament Bass Classes, Womens Only Classes and More!
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 off something cool 😎
New Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Finesse jigs are coming soon! We expect to have full stock on the #1 Selling Bait in the shop in 2024. We are adding 3 New Patterns as well as 2 new 1/4oz patterns for that ULTRA finesse presentation or for those throwing a spinning rod!
Cipher Fishing was featured in Apple News!! See links below!
New and In-Stock this week: Iron Decoy Trout and Kokanee Lures, Spro, Yamamoto Hula Grubs and Senkos, Strike King Z Too’s, Flicker Shads, Shad Raps, Jigging Raps, Chatterbaits!, Zoom UV Speed Craws and SOOO MUCH MORE
BEANIES ARE ALMOST SOLD OUT!
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

Very cool

Technically Speaking...

More on Barometric Pressure

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Say what you want! Get involved…

Anglers: Give your input for the proposed 2025 spring/summer Chinook salmon seasons

Fish and Game will be setting new seasons for upcoming spring and summer Chinook salmon and gathering public input on the upcoming season proposals from Feb. 14 to March 1. The 2025 spring Chinook salmon seasons and limits are scheduled to be set by the Idaho Fish and Game Commission during its March 26 meeting in Boise. Summer Chinook salmon seasons are usually set in June.

idfg.idaho.gov/press/anglers-provide-feedback-management-strategies-2025-spring-and-summer-chinook-salmon-seasons

Stonebraker Access Closed

Stonebraker Access Yes! Parking Area Closed Until Temperature Drops

Due to warm temperatures, rain, and muddy conditions, the Stonebraker Lane Access Yes! Parking area at Lake Cascade is closed until further notice.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/stonebraker-access-yes-parking-area-closed-until-temperature-drops

Reasons to go Steelheading this year!!

Thinking about spring steelheading? Here's 100K reasons to do it this year

It’s an exciting time because we’re seeing the best steelhead return since 2015 with more than 100,000 fish crossing Lower Granite Dam in 2024. Those fish are now moving into the headwaters and are available to anglers from Lewiston to Stanley.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/thinking-about-spring-steelheading-heres-100k-reasons-do-it-year

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