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Hook Points

Hook Points

Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Ryan Chris
December 02, 2025

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A NOTE FROM RYAN!

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Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Fewer reports last week than I usually receive. Bass fishing reports were a little hit or miss with crappie and trout reports being a bit better. All of the reports for crappie and trout were from guys that were trolling. Flicker Shads and Shad Raps caught quite a few trout and crappie - with Kokabow dodgers tipped with either corn or nightcrawler being really successful for trout. One angler suggested trolling speeds of 2+ MPH when trolling for trout. I usually recommend 1.5MPH (give or take). For bank anglers, spend some time below the dam walking the bank with small spoons, soft plastics and even swimbaits like Keitech 2.8 Fat Swing Impacts - you’re likely to catch a mixed bag. Crappie are being found in the narrows (as per usual), in the main bowl close to steeper banks and deeper water and there are plenty of schools that live up the Snake River arm for anyone interested in getting away from the crowds that often accumulate in the narrows. Look in the back eddies around major river bends. For the bass, sounds like things have been a little slow. I’d have a good selection of minnow style baits and techniques ready to go - try an X-Zone Hot Shot Minnow on a drop shot, a fluke on a Carolina rig, a Damiki Vault 1/2 or 3/8oz blade bait, a 3.3” Keitech and a deeper diving jerkbait. Look for fish in 20-30’ of water and I love areas that have decent sized flats next to deeper water - often these are around river bends.

Boise River: Quite a few steelhead catches have been reported! Congrats to all that have had some success!! If you haven’t, here are the baits that I know have been working…Looney Coonies Shrimp under a float have accounted for the most that I know of, pink and orange soft beads have caught 2 that were reported to me (one was a fly angler that was using a soft bead on his fly rod…not a bad idea, longer rod helps you keep your drifts clean), 1 Spinner fish that I know of and a couple of jig fish - black and flesh colored jigs with shrimp on them.

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 2067, 10’ from full. New ramp at the Spring Rec site is in the water and easily accessible - no dock. Reports are mixed but one thing is consistent, if you’re willing to dress warm, the quality of the fish being caught is solid. For crappie, look around the mouths of the creeks. Lots of fish in 5-25’ - might have to bonk them on the head but they’ll eat! Try really downsizing your offering - look at the Northland Tackle Broom Bugs and Pin Fry - perfect for right now! For the bass, look in 20-30’ with 3.3 Keitechs, blade baits, Carolina rigged Flukes, deeper diving jerkbaits and drop shots! Great time of the year to experiment up around Woodhead.

Snake River: Bite is slowing down a bit and the good ones have become a bit trickier to find - still quite a bit of grass mixed throughout the water column. No way I’d be fishing right now without an IRR Tungsten Finesse Jig in 3/8oz, a Fluke with a Cipher Fishing Nail Weight in it, a drop shot with a Texas rigged Roboworm on a Straight Shank hook like an Owner Cover Shot to keep some grass off and a hair jig if you have one!

Wilson Springs: Couple customers spent some time here last week and said they really struggled. Noted that they didn’t as many fish swimming around as they normally do. Did catch 2 in the middle pond on a crappie jig.

Lake Lowell: No Report.

Cascade Reservoir: Reports for perch and trout are pretty solid - bass sound like they’re being a bit grumpy. Trolling Flicker Shads and Shad Raps in pinks, purples, browns and whites were the ticket for one customer who had a “phenomenal two hours right after the morning fog lifted” - caught both trout and perch. The perch were caught on the brown colored cranks and were trolled with a 2 ounce weight on the line. The trout came shallower - 80’ behind the boat on 12# Maxima. Said they had to “SURVIVE” the cold when the fog was on ‘em so dress appropriately! For the bass, look in deeper water and be prepared to fish methodically. Drop shots not overworked, blade baits, a Carolina rigged Green Pumpkin Fluke and a Keitech are what I would bet on. Water temps are definitely dropping here. Haven’t heard about any ice even beginning to form but will keep my eyes and ears open and will report anything as soon as I can.

Horsethief Reservoir: Ice forming! Likely the first place we will be on hard water…

Owyhee Reservoir: Still tough for bass - though the bites have been from good quality fish. Couple anglers told me they are seeing them on Livescope out in 25 - 30’ but just struggling to get them to react to anything. Decent report from one angler for Crappie who said he could get them to bite - smaller fish but would bite if you bonked them on the head.

Owyhee River: I encourage folks to wait a minute to fish here as there are lots of spawning Brown trout and we don’t want to disturb their redds. I spoke to Chris with Boise River Guides and he confirmed that their are tons of Browns spawning. I don’t get on a soap box very often but I have seen first hand and did quite a bit of research on habitat damage to spawning browns. Let’s leave them alone for a few weeks so we have a shot at good ones for years to come!!

Duck valley: CAN BUY PERMITS ONLINE!!!

Trolling flies on Mountain View is good when the weather is right!! A little breeze, GO!! Lots of breeze, stay home.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: We heard a few reports for some decent trout fishing up near the dam - anglers were targeting Kokanee but did not catch any. Very successful for trout with Kokabow dodgers in black and white with pink hoochies tipped with homemade corn. I don’t have any reports about ramps - if anyone has been and is willing to share, please contact me!!

Arrowrock Reservoir: No Report

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: No Report

Local Ponds: Only fish I saw this week from the local ponds were bass believe it or not! Most pond anglers in search of bass are telling me it’s really slow. Weightless senkos are the deal when it gets like this!!

Food Drive and Christmas Gifts!, Pre-Order Link and Imperium Rods, New Rod Models Coming!, Christmas Mystery Tackle Boxes, Raffle Winners

Just a reminder that we will continue to run our food drive up until Christmas! Thank you so much to everyone that has donated!! The need has been much higher this year - grateful to the IRR community for helping with a cause that is near and dear to me personally. THANK YOU!!
We are looking for any families that might need a little help putting some presents under the tree this year. We take a portion of our profits from Christmas sales and would love to provide meals and a few gifts for as many folks as we are able. I know it can be really tough to ask for the help but we beg of you to do it!! It is the mission of this shop to serve those in this community! We have been taken care of and we want to return the favor.
PRE ORDER LINK AND IMPERIUM RODS FOR $125! We are expecting a shipment in the next 2 weeks for more Link and Imperium rods. This includes: ML Spinning, UL Spinning (sold out QUICKLY!!!!), 7’6” ML Tech Casting Rod, Imperium Light X Fast - the Green Rod! - AAAANNNNDDD! 2 BRAND NEW MODELS!! Pre-Order for everything BUT THE 2 NEW MODELS will is live for the price of $125. Visit idahorodandreel.com and click on the “Rods” tab to preorder!
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!
- 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.
We are an Allonas Angels drop off location! This is a great program that helps put together Christmas presents for Seniors in care facilities that often spend Christmas alone. Check out this link and participate!!
Allonas Angels Link: https://allonasangels.org/
We just received a huge shipment of rubber skirting material for making your own jigs and fuzzy baits! Needles in stock as well!
^{We are SOLD OUT of the IRR Exclusive Double Dipped 9 2 Tao Tubes!! We have a few bags of the Laminate version left!!}
Watch our social media pages as we will have several sales and discount bins coming up!!
^{ONE STEP CLOSER!!!!! WE ARE WORKING ON A VERY UNIQUE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY!! CAN’T WAIT TO TELL YOU ABOUT IT!!}
^{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

Great Watch!!

Technically Speaking...

Coonies for Steelhead!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Our Chance to Say Something

Idaho Fish and Game seeking comments on its Draft Strategic Plan

Those wishing to provide feedback on the draft plan can provide their input online by visiting the Strategic Plan webpage. The deadline for commenting is Dec. 19 at midnight MST.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/idaho-fish-and-game-seeking-comments-its-draft-strategic-plan

Steelhead/Salmon UPDATE!

Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report (11-25-2025)

idfg.idaho.gov/article/upper-salmon-river-steelhead-fishing-report-11-25-2025

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

OLD SCHOOL!! Don’t forget about this one…