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Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
April 07, 2026

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Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Another week with pretty darn good reports coming from CJ Strike. Decent reports for crappie in 10-20’ of water in the narrows and some reports of anglers finding fish just past the mouth of the narrows in the Bruneau. Water clarity is decent in the main bowl, narrows and Bruneau. I recently fished here and though the water in the Snake River arm was dirtier, we did find quite a few crappie schools. Small soft plastics, drop shot rigs and trolling are what I’d be doing. Small jig heads and plastics would be my favorite way to catch them right now. Look at steeper banks with trees - we found schools near these regularly. Flicker Shads, Shad Raps and Kokabow Dodgers and lures are catching everything from bass to trout. Lots of stocker trout down by the dam. Good sturgeon reports underneath the balls in the narrows and below the dam has been really consistent. Bass fishing has been really good for most. Fish for the most part are 15’ or less. Great time to fish from the bank!! Ned rigs, lipless cranks, jerkbaits, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and senkos are great options right now. Dragging a Keitech in the Bruneau out in 15’ will catch you quite a few - they probably won’t be giants but you will get bit.

Boise River: Starting to see the water rise a bit. Some browns being caught around Boise State and up to the dam. Small cranks and jerks are working well! We have some really cool new trout baits showing up this week…betting they work really well on the Boise! See them below!!!

Brownlee: Current water level is 2046.5,up a foot or so from last week. You can still launch at the Spring ramp - but you will be using the old ramp. Remember that inside the “No Wake” Buoys at the Spring ramp is a rock pile that can be hit right now. Stay to the south side of the old ramp and all will be well! At this level, pay attention as in certain areas, there are rocks that are close to being exposed - especially around the Mountain Man Lodge area. Fishing is great for catfish, crappie and bass. For catfish, you do not need to be very deep! Get around a point or the mouth of any cove with cut bait and see what happens! The bass guys are catching both channels and flatheads on cranks - that means they aren’t very deep and they are on the hunt. Great option for bank anglers. For crappie, look just inside coves and on the dam side of points. You do not need to be very deep and for larger fish, try small jerkbaits, 3.3” Keitechs and Crush City Mooch Minnows or Mayors. For the bass, I’d be 15’ or less with a selection of Spro Rk Crawlers, 3XD’s or Bandits and I wouldn’t just be throwing red right now (though that is the color I’d start with). I’d also have a lipless, 3.3” Keitech, a jerkbait, a spinnerbait and an IRR Finesse Jig, ned rig or tube!

If you are looking for a painter this spring/summer - I LOVE THESE GUYS! Contact Ray and mention Hook Points for 10% OFF!

Snake River: Another good week on the Snake. Lots of grass and several of you reported off color water, but plenty of fish still being caught. It sure makes throwing treble hook baits like jerks, cranks and lipless tough but if you’re patient and place your casts, they can still be very effective. The IRR Tungsten Finesse jig is another bait I’d have rigged up. A Keitech and Ned rig are two more great options. Lots of good catfishing right now. Get a hold of Renegade Baits for some great cut bait options and great reports as well.

Wilson Springs: Lots of fish to be caught right now. Simple Powerbait and nightcrawler rigs are working. Small crappie jigs and even the Dynamic Lures HD Trout will catch you a couple!

Lake Lowell: Opens up for boats on the 15th! Some reports from bank anglers coming in somewhat regularly now. Fish are on the move, heading to the banks and can be caught with a Senko, Chatterbait and a minnow style bait on an EWG underspin.

Cascade Reservoir: Fishing well for perch and trout. Trout on the troll - just off the shallow weed edges. Flicker Shads and Shad Raps will get you bit! I love purple…The perch are spawning which means they are shallow and grouped up. Ned rigs, smaller blade baits, 2.8 Keitechs and other small soft plastics will get bit. This is a great time of the year to catch a few from the shore! Bass fishing reports are starting to trickle in. Crankbaits, neds, jerkbaits and blade baits intended for perch are getting bit.

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Horsethief Reservoir: One report this week from a fly angler that had a great day from his small pontoon boat trolling leech patterns for 12-14” trout. Said he just paralled the bank in 20’ of water and stayed out of the weeds - got bit all day he said. Love it!

Owyhee Reservoir: Good fishing at the Owyhee and several baits are working. Cranks, jerks and lipless are getting bit. As are spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, Keitechs, shakey heads and senkos. Fish are shallow - less than 15’. Expect to catch some decent smallies as well. Crappie are everywhere - get close to the banks and start chucking your favorite small underspin plastics - great option from the bank! Be prepared to pay if you launch a boat here - $12!

Owyhee River: No report this week.

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!!

No Report this week. Check the wind before you go!! This is historically a great time to fish here. Trolling flies would be my suggestion but if you aren’t into the fly game, grab a few Flicker Shads and keep them fairly close to the surface.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: From Alan with Kokabow Tackle: Decent! Start at Spring Shores and work towards the LP dam. Fish are hitting on the surface down to 30’. Orange is the go to color!!

Arrowrock Reservoir: From Alan with Kokabow Tackle: Spotty but really good for trout!

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: From Alan with Kokabow Tackle: Hot right now! Upper end near Curlew - fish are primarily on top!

Payette Lake: From Alan with Kokabow Tackle: Slow! Water temp needs to come up some before we know what’s going on up there.

THANK YOU ALAN FOR THE REPORTS AND FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THE FISHING COMMUNITY!! Let’s keep guys like this around! Support Alan and Kokabow Tackle by purchasing his products - they are available in many great shops around the valley!

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN FISH WITH ALAN?? Contact Fish and Fur Outfitters and book a trip! 208-936-5180

SALMON AND STEELHEAD BY CODY ARD!:

Pretty much same report as last week.

Little salmon is still the steelhead hot spot. Flows have cone way up, and water was off color when I drove by it on Thursday, but very fishable.

High muddy water on Tue. Upper salmon has slowed things down.

SF keeps getting big spikes, but still is running waaay higher than normal.

Bonneville salmon count went up to 199 and still just the one fish thru lower granite. FnG has set seasons for Idaho, as usual theres Clearwater controversy as a NEW fisheries manager takes over for Joe Dupont, as he retired. Joe Thiessen takes the reigns.

Local Ponds: Pond bass are getting caught! Senkos, glide baits, spinnerbaits, ned rigs and weightless flukes are great options. Trout fishing has been excellent as stocking has been high. Simple split shot and nightcrawler or powerbait will do the trick for these stockers.

Customer Appreciation Day, $25K in New Baits, Link Rods, New Merch Drops Coming Soon,

Keep your eyes on our social media! Customer appreciation event coming soon…
Getting ready for an exciting spring and summer with $25k in new baits for all anglers! Keep your eyes on our socials for announcements!
Link rods are selling quickly! We do have a new shipment arriving soon and I think…maybe a brand new rod in the lineup????
Some very cool new Merch dropping soon!! Keep your eyes on our social media - this stuff is going to go fast.
Shop is STOCKED! Some very cool products and brands coming soon!
BEGINNING BASS FISHING CLASS COMING SOON!!
^{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

Love these videos!

Technically Speaking...

Reel maintenance!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

I like big bass…

The opportunity to fish for some of the state’s biggest bass is now

While both largemouth and smallmouth bass can be targeted most of the year, the first few weeks of spring — as water temperatures begin to rise — mark the most exciting time to target trophy bass. And, no, you don’t need to be a bass tournament pro to get in on the hunt either.

Idaho Department of Fish & Game

Steelhead/Salmon UPDATE!

Spring Chinook fishing set to open April 25

Bag limits and days per week open to fishing are variable by river section. Spring Chinook Season and Rules brochure is posted on the Chinook Fishing rules webpage.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/spring-chinook-fishing-set-open-april-25