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Hook Points

Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
February 03, 2026

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Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: With the warmer weather, all species are fishing well right now. For crappie and perch, don’t forget the rest of the reservoir…the narrows are always so tempting but lots of good fish in other areas. It’s not uncommon for the fish in the narrows to be hanging out closer to the channel, pretty deep. They can be tricky to catch! Take a look in the main bowls and up the Snake River arm a bit - you’ll crappie and perch fish cruising in 25-30’ - and they are much more willing to bite! Jigging Raps, small soft plastic minnow baits and nightcrawler drop shot rigs will work! I love blade baits for perch! Posted a picture of my good buddy Dallon with a large crappie caught on some of the new Cast Echo baits. Bass fishing has picked up a bit. For smallies, head up the Snake River arm with Keitechs, blade baits, drop shots and pay attention to the depths that you are marking/catching fish. If you are seeing some starting to move shallow-ish, a crankbait isn’t a crazy idea…let’s go with a red one. I wouldn’t live or die on it - but I’d at least have one on the boat with me. If you are livescoping, Cipher Heads on Strike King Z Too’s, Z Man Scented Jerk Shadz and the Cast Echo minnows ALL caught fish this weekend that I know of. Take a look at the upcoming weather…CJ would absolutely be on my list!!

Boise River: The warming trend seems to have perked up the trout in the river as well - seems to have fished a little better this past week. Countdown minnows, nightcrawlers on Carolina or split shot style rigs and buggy presentations like the Berkley Power Nymph on a drop shot are all great options. In the deeper runs, a small crappie jig and split shot under a slip float is a great set up!

Brownlee: Current water level is 2053, 5’ down from last week. You can still launch at the Spring ramp - use the old ramp. Not a lot of reports last week but a few from the weekend. Some smaller fish caught on minnow style baits like Keitechs and also on blade baits. Reports were that the bass were in 30’. Drop shots are also pretty good ideas! No word on any crappie being caught but I’d guarantee there are a couple of schools around the cemetery and up by Brownlee Creek at Woodhead. Not a bad time of the year to catch perch here as well

Snake River: Another fishery that has benefited from the warmer temps. The IRR Tungsten Finesse Jigs have been on fire this past week and I expect them to stay that way with the warm week ahead. I’d have a Keitech, blade bait and a drop shot with me as well! Simple tube jig on a split shot/Carolina rig if you are a bank angler is not a bad idea at all!!

Wilson Springs: Couple reports!! With the warmer weather, a few more anglers have been out and did well with small crappie jigs, powerbait eggs and nightcrawler.

Lake Lowell: No Report.

Cascade Reservoir: Really good reports right now for perch and quite a few bonus trout! Do yourself a favor and stop in Freedom Outdoors and talk to Jeff or see the guys at Tackle Toms for the most up to date hot areas and baits.

Horsethief Reservoir: No report this week. Again - check with the awesome shops in Cascade!!

Owyhee Reservoir: No report.

Owyhee River: No report.

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!!

No Report.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Reports of fish being caught by the dam. Water is low! The dam becomes a good target when that happens. Pink and White Kokabow dodgers are the deal with pink hoochies. Another customer is throwing small spoons behind their dodgers and had a decent outing with just a green wedding ring.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Fishing well. One customer sent me the following: “Any color of dodger will work as long as it has orange in it. 100’ behind the boat and all fish we caught were on top. Tuna Blood corn was the hot flavor. Any baits we threw got bit - the dodger and the corn were all that mattered.”

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: No Report.

Local Ponds: No Reports from any ponds this week.

BIG SALE STARTS TUESDAY! Spring Kokanee Kick Off FILLING UP FAST!!, Heavy Link Rods!, 3 Medium Link Spinning Rods Left!, FISH STOCKING

BIG SALE STARTS TOMORROW!!! 15% OFF EVERYTHING OTHER THAN RODS AND REELS!!! We need some help moving some product so we can make space to bring in our Spring Tackle!! TUESDAY THRU SATURDAY!!! In store only.
CLASS IS FILLING FAST! Our annual SPRING KOKANEE KICKOFF WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 21st!! Class will be taught by Alan Greenhalgh from Kokabow Fishing Tackle! Come and hear all about the latest from Idaho Fish and Game about the state of our Kokanee Fisheries! This year we will hold the class in the showroom of J and H Sales and Marine. Class will be from 10am to Noon! As per usual, we will have crazy deals on everything you need to get your Kokanee season started right! Over 120 attendees last year!! You are not going to want to miss this! REGISTRATION IS LIVE now online at idahorodandreel.com under the classes tab. You can also contact Idaho Rod and Reel at 208-586-9434 if you need help getting signed up!
The 7’5” Heavy Link Casting Rods should be delivered on TUESDAY!! Pre-Ordering option goes away as soon as we get them checked in and entered into inventory. THIS ROD SOLD OUT FAST!!!
THERE ARE ONLY 3!! Link Medium Spinning Rods Left!!
Lots of trout stocking happening in the next couple days. Check out the stocking schedule link below!
IF YOU WANT TO SAVE A FEW BUCKS…take advantage right now. We are seeing significant price increases with most vendors - especially in the rod and reel department. We purchased quite a bit of product BEFORE the price increases hit and have not marked this product up to the new MSRP’s. If you are thinking about new rods and reels for spring, might want to grab them now. We have started ordering and receiving product at the new pricing so these lower prices won’t be around for long.
WE WILL BE AT THE IDAHO SPORTSMAN SHOW AGAIN THIS YEAR! As always, we have jig tying for the kids, crazy deals and some LIMITED EDITION “STUFF”…you will see 😉
BEGINNING BASS FISHING CLASS COMING SOON!!
Check out the new 2026 IRR Beanies! A best seller every winter at $12.99.
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.}

Worth Watching

Love this guy!!

Technically Speaking...

Fish and COLOR!! Great Video!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Brood Stock!

Annual South Fork Clearwater River localized broodstock collection program starts Feb. 2

By spawning fish that have successfully migrated and returned to the South Fork, the program seeks to enhance a steelhead population more locally adapted to the South Fork. This program provides a great way for anglers to engage and contribute to a more robust, localized steelhead population in the South Fork Clearwater River.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/annual-south-fork-clearwater-river-localized-broodstock-collection-program-starts-feb-2

Another RECORD!!

Henrys Lake angler hoists new state record trout out of ice

Most anglers that wind up atop the Idaho state record fish leaderboards do so out of pure luck. But Robert Gregory’s story goes a little different. The mere act of even catching a Yellowstone cutthroat is a bucket list for many anglers.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/henrys-lake-angler-hoists-new-state-record-trout-out-ice