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Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
February 11, 2025

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Cold week ahead could bring some ice to the Cottonwood area, narrows and air force ramp. If I hear anything, I will post it!! Crappie fishing has been really steady for most, amazing for some and “what the heck?” for a few…trolling seems to be the method of choice and the usual suspects are getting it done…that’s Salmo Hornets, Flicker Shads and Shad Raps. You’re gonna find some trout this way as well. The perch have been on the bottom in 15-25’ one customer reported. They caught them on jig heads tipped with nightcrawlers. Bass fishing has been tough for most. In the main bowl is where I’d be looking and I’d have a blade bait, a 3.3 Keitech on a 1/4oz Cipher Ball Head (that hook pins everything…slow cold fishing is not the time to be missing bites!) and it certain areas and conditions, I’d be willing to explore with a jerkbait. I’d have that rigged up the day after the warmest night of a 2-3 day warming trend. Hearing ok reports for sturgeon below the dam and up the snake river arms.

Boise River: Started seeing some higher, murkier water on the river after snow and rain hit. That has settled down a bit and getting decent reports for those out fishing it. The Dynamic Lures HD Trout accounted for several fish this week that I know of. Ultralight Heavyweights jigs and Hookup Baits in 1/16oz are also really good options. We have a large order of Hook Up baits on their way in for spring!

Brownlee: Water levels are at 2048 - that’s another 5’ down in a week. No reports this week.

Snake River: OK reports still coming in for the river. Idaho Rod and Reel Tungsten Finesse jigs are still doing their thing! As are smaller 2.8 and 3.3 Keitechs, 3/8oz Damiki Vault blade baits and Neko rigged senkos - try the Cipher Nail Weight!!

Wilson Springs: Was recently stocked and guys have been catching bunches of 9-12” trout. Try powerbait on the bottom and do not discount the Ultralight Heavyweights jigs on this pond!!

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: Sounds like the slush has not been as bad the last couple of days. Really good fishing for smaller to medium sized fish with the jumbos being a bit more elusive than normal for some. Electronics can make quick work in finding the boogers…without it, the trick is a topo map, some schmoozing with fellow anglers and the Cascade tackle shop folks and lots of holes. Check out the details for the Cascade Cup coming up!!

Tackle Toms Cascade Cup

Cascade Cup 2025 - Tackle Tom's Local

Tackle Tom’s is hosting its annual Ice Fishing Tournament. We have categories for adult single anglers, adult team anglers, and kid anglers.

tackletomsidaho.com/cascade-cup-2025

Horsethief Reservoir: Good reports for Horsethief. Nothing big but I haven’t seen any giants here since before I left for college 😆! Good numbers of willing and eager fish is usually what this place is about. Simple nightcrawler can absolutely crush here. Small spoons and crappie jigs are also really good options. I love chartreuse and black here as well as the color Grasshopper. If you know, you know.

Owyhee Reservoir: No report this week.

Owyhee River: No report.

Duck valley: From the Tribal Website: SAME REPORT AS LAST WEEK!!

January 27, 2025 –Ice conditions change daily as weather permits. Ice depth at 5.5 inches up to 60 yards from the Mountain View Boat Dock. Ice depth 7 inches up to 60 yards from the Sheep Creek boat dock. Mountain View ice is clear, with visible stress fractures. Sheep Creek ice appears much frostier, with less clarity. The ice has been loud negotiating with the with the daily temperature, cracking over a light thaw throughout a day spent mending and melting, refreezing at night. Ice depths in the shallow areas closer to the shore at both reservoirs is consistently reading 5.5 inches up to 60 yards out.

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

Lucky Peak Reservoir: No report this week.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Couple reports this week and we spoke of trout! Sounds like the Kokes have been a little tricky to find but plenty of smaller rainbows are there to disappoint I MEAN EXCITE you 😆 - always frustrating to find a pile of rainbows when you’re on the kokanee hunt…only tip I can give you is casually announce how “excited you are to be here to trout fish” as you load your boat. Tricks the kokanee…I might be lying.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: No report this week.

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, Salmon to Sturgeon, Cody Meyer Drawing, Spring Inventories, Link Rods Selling Out

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!
We have been getting questions about whether or not we prefer you to shop with us online at www.Idahotacklebox.com or come in to the shop…answer is BOTH! We’re happy and grateful for your support however you shop! Of course, one of the best parts of the shop is getting your hands on things, getting advice or just hanging out - and we never want that to go away!
THANK YOU to all those who came and attended the sturgeon and kokanee classes - they were a HUGE success!! Thank you to Hells Canyon Guide Cody Ard for sharing his knowledge of Sturgeon and to Alan Greenhalgh with Kokabow Fishing Tackle who between the 2 instructors, helped over 130 local anglers fall more in love with this sport!!! Can’t wait for more programming to come - stay tuned…
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…
We are about to sell out of the 7’3” MH Link Casting Rod! At the time of this publishing, there are 3 left!
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 😎
Spring inventories are starting to show up. We have spent several THOUSANDS of dollars to make sure we are ready for one of my favorite times of the year to fish. As an fyi, my other favorite times to fish are Summer, Fall and Winter.
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 STILL!! the top seller last week by a MILE! Thank you for helping us start this company off with a bang!
We will be raffling of the Cody Meyer trip this week! We have been waiting to see if we can have him in attendance to do the drawing…there’s a chance. But even if unavailable this week - we will still do the drawing.
New and In-Stock this week: Daiwa Rods and Reel re-stock, Evergreen Buzzbaits and Shower Blows, Berkley Trout Worms and Powerbait,
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

I’m intrigued…

Technically Speaking...

How to read water for Steelhead

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

A Feature on CODY MEYER!

New Elite: Cody Meyer - Bassmaster

For two decades prior to fishing the 2024 Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifiers, Idaho’s Cody Meyer enjoyed a well-established career competing on the FLW and MLF bass tours. He could have...

www.bassmaster.com/elite/news/new-elite-cody-meyer

For the Calendar

Important dates to help plan your February

From application periods to season closures, there’s a lot happening in Idaho during February that you should be aware of. Here are some important dates you should know to help you plan.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/important-dates-help-plan-your-february-0

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