Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newletter

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Bass fishing is really good! Idaho Rod and Reel Ambassador Justin caught them on small cranks, crappie jigs and tubes. Sturgeon fishing has been good with crappie as cut bait. Crappie fishing has been decent for most and great for a few. Sounds like they have been shallower in the mornings and evenings but dropping to 20' with the sun directly overhead.

Boise River: Running VERY high! Fishable from the bank in some areas but I would stay out of the water! The plan is to drop the water a bit this week but Hazardous Water signs will remain posted. Fish are being caught! Just do it from the bank...Check out pics below of the new fishing pier at Barber Park!

Brownlee: Water levels are 2071.5 at the time of this publication. All ramps are open. Water is brown and beware of debris and LARGE logs in the water but water clears in the Powder arm and closer to Woodhead. Fishing has been very good for bass. In terms of baits for the bass - it has been a smorgasboard. Idaho Rod and Reel Ambassadors are reporting fish catches on drop shots, ned rigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinners and spinnerbaits. THROW TOPWATERS! Catfishing has been really good on cut bait and Ardcore Squid. Crappie fishing is improving and they are good sized. Look at the rocky points and in 10-20' of water.

Swan Falls - Above the Dam: Great fishing for smallmouth bass - tubes, curly tail grubs, spinnerbaits and crankbaits will get the job done. I personally would not be hesitant to throw topwaters...

Swan Falls - Below the Dam: Good reports for sturgeon on cut bait! Bass fishing has been really solid - drag a tube! Old Ugly and Mudpie from Dry Creek are really good choices. Texas rig them with a 3/16oz tungsten worm weight and start dragging. Topwaters in the eddies will catch fish early in the day.

Wilson Springs: Fishing has been ok but tougher in some of the ponds due to the warmer weather and weed growth. Still Ultralight Heavyweights are catching fish!!

Lake Lowell: We have really seen a significant increase in fish being caught here! Idaho Rod and Reel Ambassador Damon has been catching them on a mix of things - drop shots, senkos, chatterbaits and I know fish are being caught on frogs! Don't forget about the rocky parts of Lowell for both species but especially some pretty scrappy smallmouth's.

Owyhee River: No report.

Owyhee Reservoir: If you can hit the water with your cast then you can probably catch a crappie right now! Pick your favorite jig and technique - they are all working. If you have kiddos - try a float and a small jig tipped with crappie nibbles. Bass fishing is better but I wouldn't call it amazing. Work the banks with big cranks or try dragging a jig and trailer. I'd throw a jerkbait but that's my solution for everything when it get's tough...so take that for what it's worth!!

Duck valley: Great trout fishing from the bank with Powerbait. For the fly guys I'd be stripping leeches and scuds just above the weed line with an intermediate sinking line.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Kokanee are being caught but it still seems to be a Jekyll and Hyde kind of thing. One day the reports are solid and the next it was tough. Seems to have been a little slow the last couple of days. To keep things interesting though, trout have been biting.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Fish are being caught but report is similar to Lucky Peak.

Anderson Ranch: I saw a couple of HUGE kokes caught this week! Not hearing about great numbers but definitely seeing pics of good sized fish. Orange still seems to be the color of choice. The bass fishing has been improving. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, drop shots, senkos - all have been working. Seems to be a lot of smaller bass being caught.

Local Ponds: Good fish being caught in the ponds. For the stocker trout - throw powerbait! The bass have been hitting texas rigged worms and creatures as well wacky rigged senkos.

Snake River - Catfishing: Good catfish are being caught throughout the river. Cut bait and Ardcore squid are working.

Shop News - Updated Crappie Wall, Congrats LEVI!!

• Congratulations to LEVI for winning the TVB Bass Tournament as a Non-Boater this past weekend at Brownlee! He also took home big fish!!

• I am still working out the details on the lure making class but hope to have information coming out soon! We will most likely offer this class on two different days. I ran into a supply chain issue as I want to offer tying equipment to those that want it. Once that is resolved, we will announce these classes!

• New Idaho Rod and Reel Sun Hoodies are coming THIS WEEK!

• I made a bulk purchase on fishing pliers and am passing the savings on to you. I have both straight and curved - FOR $3!!

• Come check out the new selection of Bobby Garland and ACC crappie baits!

• Yamamoto Yamatanuki's are in stock and already catching fish at Lowell.

• Strike King Slab Hammer crankbaits for crappies in stock. Great option to troll to find the crappies and you'll probably catch a ton of bass to keep things interesting.

• Free Daiwa/Huk sun hoodie with the purchase of any Daiwa Tatula products. Offer ends on 5/31! Tons of new Tatulas in stock right now.

Worth Watching

What does it look like under water?

Technically Speaking...

HEY YOU NED HEADS!!

Local and National Fishing News

You know how I feel about this!!

The Salmon Run!!

Current Trout Stocking

Trolling for crappie

Kokanee Rigging!!

New in the Shop

Shimano Vanfords in Stock

Idaho Rod and Reel Anniversary "Celebrate Idaho Fishing" Hats! Selling quickly and for a great cause! 50% of profits from these hats will go to help fund our youth programs!

Check out the new fishing pier at Barber Park!

Catch Spotlight

Submit your own entry to be featured in Hook Points to: [email protected], Subject: Catch Spotlight

Taylor and a dinosaur....with a little help from my friends!

Tournament catfishing competitor Eddie with one that counted! Caught over 200 fish and finished 11th out of 1100!!

Mike with another good day at Lowell!