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Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
December 22, 2025

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. Anglers are still having good days out there and with a couple 50-ish degree days still ahead of us - I think that will continue. For crappie, perch, trout and bluegill, trolling seems to be the deal. Flicker shads in purple and perch patterns were highly recommended by a customer that had an awesome day on the water. 80 to 100’ setbacks - play around with speeds of 1.4 - 2mph and need to be in depths of 20-35’. Customer that provided this report was using downriggers. There are large schools of perch being found regularly in 25-35’. Nightcrawlers on small jig heads will get these to bite. Decent reports from a few bass anglers that found fish in the main bowl, on the hump and around the narrows using drop shots, ned rigs, blade baits and Keitech Easy Shiners in 30-35’. Find bait - you’ll find the bass.

Boise River: Have not heard of many steelhead being caught but definitely some rainbows and browns. Shrimp under a float, small minnow baits like the Rapala Countdown Minnows and Dynamic Lures - throw dark one!

Fish were dropped at the following locations:

Glenwood Bridge
Americana Bridge
Below the Broadway Avenue Bridge, behind Boise State University
West Parkcenter Bridge
Barber Park

Brownlee: Current water level is 2070.8, 7’ from full. New ramp at the Spring Rec site is in the water and easily accessible - no dock. There are fish being caught and not just bass. There are plenty of perch and crappie being reported right now. Perch seem to be in 20-30’ around offshore humps. Crappie will spend time in 20-30’ as well as 50-60’. Seems like when the crappie are shallower, the bass fishing picks up…makes sense. Vertical presentations with things like small hair jigs will catch these perch and crappie. For the bass, look in 30-35’ with blades, drop shots, minnow patterns like the Mooch Minnow paired with a Cipher Elite Scoper Head are all great options. Not hearing anything about the jerkbait - I’d have one but wouldn’t count on that being the deal.

Snake River: Still catching them here but a few tough days being reported in between some decent days. I’d have a swimbait like a Keitech Fat Swing Impact 3.3 and a blade bait. I’m confident those baits will get it done!!

Wilson Springs: Guys are catching a few here. Sounds like little chunks of Powerbait and nightcrawler.

Lake Lowell: No Report.

Cascade Reservoir: Still waiting on ice!! Follow the shops up north on Facebook for the most up to date information on the ice conditions. Freedom Outdoors and Tackle Toms are consistently providing reports. Many of you ask if we will be stocking ice products - I generally don’t stock much. This is an important time of the year for the shops in Cascade and they are a valuable resource to our fishing community. I encourage you to spend your money with them as they are providing the most value.

Horsethief Reservoir: No report.

Owyhee Reservoir: No report.

Owyhee River: No report.

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!!

No Report.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Couple reports for some Kokes and rainbows up by the dam with Kokabow gear. Fish were caught deeper than I would have expected - 20’. Hearing that, I would suggest putting a line or two on top as well as dropping a couple down to that 20’ range. Pinks, oranges and blues were the colors I was told.

Arrowrock Reservoir: No report.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: No Report

Local Ponds: No Reports from any ponds this week.

Merry Christmas!, Raffles Continue, Food Drive, ANYONE NEED HELP??, Christmas Hours, Theme for 2026

I would like to take a second to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!! I am grateful for all that you have done for me, my guys in the shop and for the local community. Our mission is to share our love of fishing and to serve you and this community. I hope you have felt that and that you are proud of your shop!
The One Crazy Christmas Raffle JUST GOT BETTER! We have added ANOTHER ROD PACKAGE! One lucky winner will win Idaho Rod and Reels newest custom rods - a Forge Spinning AND a Forge Casting Rod! That means, each purchase you make from now until Christmas could win you a 6-Rod Package, 1 of 5 VIP Coupons for 15% off your purchases at IRR all YEAR in 2026 and NOW a Forge Rod Package! 2 Tickets per purchase, per day, per person!
CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP!! We will run our food drive thru Wednesday! Bring me a canned food item and I will trade you a hat! The Crazy Christmas Raffle Continues! ONLY FROM NOW UNTIL WEDNESDAY, EACH PURCHASE WILL EARN YOU 2 ENTRIES!!
PLEASE REACH OUT IF YOU NEED HELP THIS CHRISTMAS!! Even if it is short notice, we can help!!
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…
INTRODUCING 2 NEW IRR CUSTOM RODS - The very affordable FORGE series of rods are designed with a custom blank designed by and only available at Idaho Rod and Reel. This is a 34 ton blank, beautifully built and designed to handle multiple fishing techniques! Models include a 7’ M Fast Spinning and a 7’3” MH Fast Casting Rod. Rods are priced at $89.99. Pair the casting rod with a Daiwa AIRD Casting Reel and a Daiwa Exceler Spinning Reel and you have 2 combos for less than $200 each that I’d be more than happy to tournament fish with!!
Cold weather is finally here…get that boat winterized and be ready to go next spring! Mention this newsletter and get $30 off on your winterization at J and H Sales and Marine!
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS!! We have a bunch…
- Chrismas Tackle Bags: This is our #1 Seller this time of year. Great for those shopping for an angler in their life - but don’t fish themselves!! Tell us what they like to fish for and we will handle the rest! We have a $50, $100 and $150 option but can always just do whatever you want. Each bag includes a free $5 gift card and a raffle ticket for a rod that we will give away right after Christmas! All items are packed in a Daiwa bag! Very cool presents!
- NEW IRR FORGE Spinning and/or Casting Rods!! $89.99!!!
- Bajio Sunglasses will remain 30% off!
- The Pre-Ordered Link and Imperium Rods should be here very soon! Great gift idea! And wait until you see the 2 NEW MODELS!!
- Gift Cards are always a great option!
- We still have some baits that I tied myself - spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jigs and more. Really cool stocking stuffer ideas for items you can’t get anywhere else.
^{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

Not fishing related but appropriate for the season!

Technically Speaking...

Ice Fishing Rod Set Ups!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

More access?

Idaho Fish and Game has entered into a new Good Neighbor agreement with the Forest Service under the EXPLORE Act

By aligning with the Fish and Game mission, the agreement ensures that projects not only improve forest conditions but also sustain healthy wildlife populations, protect critical habitats, and expand opportunities for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/idaho-fish-and-game-has-entered-new-good-neighbor-agreement-forest-service-under-explore

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

Minners!!