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Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
January 12, 2026

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A NOTE FROM RYAN!

From time to time, you will notice ads in the newsletter. As the subscribership to Hook Points has grown considerably, the costs to produce it and host it have now become significant. We have no plans to stop producing the letter as so many of you have told us that you find it useful! I’m happy about that!! In order to help offset the costs, we are working with a company that will help us find advertisers that pay well for ad placement. We get paid per click! You do not need to sign up for anything! Please help us offset the costs of Hook Points by clicking on the links. Please do not feel obligated to do so but the help would be welcomed!!

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Very similar report to last week. Very similar weather patterns this week as well - couple of mid forty days still on the weather report - crazy! Lots of good reports for crappie and perch - looking for fish out in 25-35’ with some reports of fish as deep as 50-60’. When the fish do get that deep, you’ll notice that the schools don’t always move around as fast as they will when they are spending time in 20’ or less. Not to say that they won’t be moving!! Just maybe a bit less - and as such, vertical techniques tend to out-fish other methods like trolling. Drop shot rigs with small minnow baits such as the Northland Tackle Leeches and Larvae Bugs are great choices! A little bit of nightcrawler and/or crappie nibble can definitely be the difference maker - especially with negative fish. It sounds like trolling Flicker Shads and Shad Raps still remain effective for catching some decent rainbows that one customer described as “mixed in the water column”. 80-100’ Setbacks with 1-2oz snap weights on the line at 1.5 to 1.75MPH is the formula a good customer of the shop often uses here with frequent success. Bass fishing remains tough but there are good fish being caught. The best reports put smallmouth out in 25-35’ and slow moving bottom techniques seem to be producing the best. For me that means drop shots with baits like Roboworms, X Zone Hot Shot Minnows and even the Rapala Crush City Mooch Minnow. It also means 3.3” Keitech Fat Swing Impacts or 3” Easy Shiners fished on Cipher Fishing Ball Heads slowly on the bottom and don’t count out the good ol’ Carolina rig or an A-rig fished carefully and slowly around the bottom.

Boise River: Another week with very few steelhead reports but decent trout reports. Good fishing reported around the Boise access areas. Jig heads tipped with Nightcrawlers and shrimp are great options as are lighter, finesse-y Carolina or Split Shot rigs tipped with Nightcrawler or crappie jigs tumbled through deeper, slower runs. Hard baits are working for one customer who adds split shot placed just above a small crane swivel - with a 12-14” leader connected to baits like the Dynamic Lures HD Trout. That little bit of extra weight helps get those plugs down just a bit deeper.

Brownlee: Current water level is 2069, 1’ down from last week. SAME REPORT AS 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: Very similar reports as last week coming in…minnow style baits such as Keitech Easy Shiners or Fat Swing Impacts, Mooch Minnows and the new Cast Fishing Co. Echos are getting bit. I’d have a blade bait and a drop shot as well! Look for areas with deeper eddies - 15’-20’ of water is perfect! Some catfishing reports coming from the areas around Farewell Bend up to Steck Park. Customer caught them out in 30’ on cutbait. Fished midday until dusk and came home with 6 decent channel cats.

Wilson Springs: Couple fish caught here last week on Powerbait by my good buddy Gavin. He only fished for 30-45 minutes and caught 5-6 fish with just a simple split shot rig. He only fished in the north pond and said he saw quite a few fish! He said the key was a 12” leader that allowed the bait to float up off the bottom.

Lake Lowell: No Report.

Cascade Reservoir: WE’RE ON THE ICE! About dang time! Looks like the best ice in terms of thickness is up north (Boulder/Poison) - Jeff from Freedom Outdoors still recommending that you be very careful with snowmobiles but it sounds like guys have been out on the ice with sleds. CAREFUL!! Early ice still - especially as you head SOUTH. I have spoken to a few anglers that had some success this weekend. Sounds like fish are in 20-30’ feet with trout being shallower. Jigging spoons, red worms and baby nightcrawlers tipped on jig heads. Check in with the shops up north before you head out and stock up while you are there! Support the local shops that keep us well informed, safe and successful! Freedom Outdoors 208-382-1252 and Tackle Toms 208-382-4367.

Horsethief Reservoir: We have ice! Reports have been few but decent. Sounds like nightcrawlers and meal worms worked on Saturday for a good buddy of mine but bites were are bit slow coming. If you haven’t ice fished here before - add it to your list of places to visit.

Owyhee Reservoir: No report.

Owyhee River: No report.

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!!

No Report.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Good reports this week. Steady producer for sure. Sounds like the Kokes are sitting 20-30’ - looking for water temps that are a little more comfortable than the cold surface temps. I am hearing that the trout are a bit higher up in the column. Lets get those lines 80-100’ behind the boat and cruise around at 1.4 to 1.7mph. Sounds like pinks, oranges and some of the darker Kokabow dodgers have been working better down in that deeper water. One customer reported 6 kokanee in a matter of minutes on a Black Eagle Kokabug from Kokabow Tackle - says he would have caught more if he hadn’t broken the lure off in the net!!

Arrowrock Reservoir: We have kokes being caught in Arrowrock right now and I am not smart enough to tell you why! Terrible reports all season long and all of a sudden, a few are showing up! Essentially the same report as Lucky Peak although more trout being caught than kokes here.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: No Report

Local Ponds: No Reports from any ponds this week.

Updates on Tariffs and a Tariff Reliever!, Ice Fishing Class, Beginning Bass Fishing, PRE-ORDER Heavy Link!, New Beanies in Stock!

We are still seeing price increases from most vendors due to tariffs. The biggest impact is on rods and reels with all new MSRP’s. We have a lot of rods and reels that were purchased before the 2026 Tariff pricing kicked in - we are NOT increasing the MSRP for because WE DID NOT pay tariff pricing on the products!! Yes - we could take advantage of buying product at the lower price and selling it at the new MSRP - but we aren’t! We want you out fishing and will save you money as long as we can!!
TARIFF RELEIVER!! Starting Tuesday 1/13 and going thru Saturday 1/17, buy any IRR Link or Imperium Rod and receive a 20% off voucher for any reel in shop purchased BEFORE March 31st.
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!
ICE FISHING CLASS WEDNESDAY!! INCLUDES AN ON-THE-WATER SESSION!! 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!
BEGINNING BASS FISHING CLASS COMING SOON!!
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 is LIVE!! Pre order price is $129.99. MSRP will be $144.99.
Check out the new 2026 IRR Beanies! A best seller every winter at $12.99 - see the images below!
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…
^{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

Excellent Video

Technically Speaking...

Reel CARE!!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Uh Oh

Illegally introduced yellow perch caught in Island Park Reservoir

An angler ice fishing for trout on Island Park Reservoir on Jan. 3 unexpectedly hooked into a 5-inch-long yellow perch, a species that does not belong in the reservoir. With no connecting yellow perch fisheries in the area, it was determined that the fish was illegally stocked and is the first-ever confirmed report of a yellow perch in Island Park Reservoir.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/illegally-introduced-yellow-perch-caught-island-park-reservoir

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

Fishing Slow for Winter Fish…Or Not?