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Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newletter

Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newletter

News, Tips, Tackle and More

Ryan Chris
May 14, 2024

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Fishing at CJ has been decent. I wouldn’t call it hot but I wouldn’t call it bad either. Steady is probably a better word for it…for just about everything. Bass are spread out and being caught all over but its requiring some work. Shallower flats with good mixes of sand and gravel will be holding smallmouth and fish grass and trees for largemouth. Tube jigs, Great Lakes finesse Juvy Craws, Ned rigs and Keitechs will work well on the smallmouth. Spinnerbaits and senkos for the largemouth. Crappie are in 5-15’ and not far off the banks. Pick your favorite small plastic but make sure you tip it with crappie nibbles or Pautzke Fireballs. Sturgeon fishing has been good up the Snake River arm on crappie and other cut baits.

Boise River: Flows have been steady and water is clearing up a bit because of it in many sections. Customers ARE reporting catches and have suggested fishing slower deep pools with nightcrawlers as well as fishing tail outs that eddy up against the bank with shallow diving baits like a Dynamic Lures HD Trout. Be careful!

Wave Cam — Boise Whitewater Park

www.boisewhitewaterpark.com/waveshaper-cam

Brownlee: Water levels are at 2068.2 - up a bit from last week. Fishing was decent this weekend but I don’t see any reason why it won’t do anything but improve. For smallmouth, try Ned rigs, Keitechs, Tungsten Finesse Jigs and a jerkbait early. Crappie are in 5-15’ of water and should be willing to take just about any plastic you trust. For me, that is the Kamikaze Swimon with a 1/16oz jig head. Definitely going to tip with crappie nibbles. Trolling flicker shads is a good way to find them and cover a bunch of water. Look closer to the banks than you might think.

Snake River: Water still idn’t purdy but fish are being caught. Bass can be caught on Neds, Z Man Gobius and Keitechs. Look for slack water with some structure. Catfishing has been really good even thought the water clarity isn’t amazing. Big time scent feeders means the off color water doesn’t bug them much if you make sure your offereing doesn’t smell…mmmm….fresh we will say. Try a little cut bait with Pro Cure injected…

Wilson Springs: Fishing ok. Some reports that it has been crowded. Powerbait and crappie nibbles are one customers favorites out there…

Lake Lowell: Fishing well but it’s in chunks - not necessarily all day action. You’re going to run into some dead time on the water…just work through it and keep hunting. Fish trees, smart weed, pencil weeds and beaver huts. Look in different depths. Pay attention to what you catch your fish on and try to repeat it. I fished here Monday night with some buddies and we broke it down pretty quickly to isolated trees in 2’ of water. If you are surrounded by carp - move. My Lowell tackle bag at the moment consists of Reaction Innovations Man Bear Pigs, Dry Creek tubes, Spro walking and popping frogs, a buzzbait and a dark colored chatterbait.

Cascade Reservoir: Fished a tournament here this weekend and the bass fishing was tough but the fish were good sized. Several perch were caught on Keitechs and there were several boats having success trolling for them. Perch were near the bottom in 8-15’ and pretty easy to find on down imaging. For smallmouth, Keitechs, jerkbaits ned rigs and tubes will get you bit. Look at shallower main lake points with sand, gravel and mud mixes. Largemouth were much harder to come by and are usually caught in the more northern areas of the lake. Spinnerbaits and senkos are never a bad option for these guys.

Horsethief Reservoir: Decent reports from Horsethief for trout by the dam. Nightcrawlers and powerbait will work. If you have your two-pole permit, soak one rod while casting and retrieving spinners and small hard baits with your second.

Owyhee Reservoir: Judging by the number of boats that are at the ramps, fishing is pretty darn good. Crappie are being caught just about everywhere. Look in coves in 5-15’ of water and fish your favorite soft plastic. From the banks, fish something that can help you cover water quickly like a Beetle Spin or 2.8 Keitech. Especially pay attention to areas where bushes and trees are in or overhanging the water. Bass fishing has been decent with crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Throw into the shallow stuff and look for coves with vegetation in the water. With the reservoir being full, there is some good structure for fish to play around…

Duck valley: Definitely a hot spot for big trout right now. Consistent action with many different lures and baits getting the job done. If you are a fly angler, leaches, damsel nymphs and scuds (tied straight - not curled 😉) are likely to get you hooked up on the regular. Trolling has been really effective with Flicker Shads, SR05 Shad Raps and traditional wedding ring spinners. From the banks - tough to beat pink or chartreuse powerbait.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Action at Lucky has picked up and good fish are being caught. Pinks and oranges - still on top.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Arrowrock just keeps on producing at a steady rate. Very consistent fishery this year so far. Pinks and oranges have been doing well but don’t count out white. I know a couple of guys that have been throwing it religiously and doing quite well. Shrimp and Kreel corns have been very popular the last couple of weeks…usually means something 🤣

Anderson Ranch: Turned on and good fishing has driven quite a few folks here this last week. Fish can still be found on top and pink/chartreuse and orange/silver are going to be very good options to start with. One customer reported he had 2 people in the boat, all 4 rods with orange hoochies and action was pretty fast and furious!

Local Ponds: Look at the local stocking reports on IDFG website to locate good trout spots. Lots of Family Fishing Waters are getting fish right now. Bass fishing in ponds has been ok for some, very difficult for others and on fire for a few. The ability to move around is a big deal in pond fishing. Banks with good access or kayaks can help. They are shallow - careful walking the banks - they can feel ya! Good pond baits right now are Senkos, drop shots (bed fish), chatterbaits/spinnerbaits, weightless flukes and glide baits.

Shop News - Events, Classes, Re-stocking, Ark Rods and Youth Program Update

Megabass, Reaction Innovations, Spin-n-glow, Dynamic Lures HD Trout, Ark Rods, Z Man, Spro Frogs, Jig Skirts, Hayabusa Hooks, BKK Hooks have all been restocked! Huge Keitech Restocking On WEDNESDAY.
Summer Bass Fishing Tactics - Class coming very soon! To be taught by former FLW Professional angler Cody Murray.
CRAPPIE and TROUT fishers…custom rods built just for you coming SOOONN!!!
Big order of Ark rods will be in today!! Ark is producing some of the best rod values on the market. Technique specific models built with premium fuji components and torray blanks on rods that start at $100. I personally have 3 rods in my tournament arsenal and LOVE THEM!! This is a brand I strongly BELIEVE in and sought them out because of what they can provide for anglers!!
Custom hand tied Swim Jigs will be available this week! Watch our social media platforms for availability as these go really fast. Premium skirting material, painted heads and Gamakatsu hooks - hand tied by Ryan with Kevlar thread…these are a premium product.
We will have our first Good Fish and Good Guppies meetings and activities in June! We have been waiting for materials to show up and have just had so many issues getting things produced and delivered on time. It still has not arrived!! I don’t care…moving on without it!!
Please check out the idahorodandreel.com ONLINE STORE! We are adding products daily. Local shipping is very affordable and free on orders over $75.
Rods…something very cool is coming 😉
Tons of Reaction Innovations in STOCK!! Great baits for Lowell…ever thrown a Kinky Beaver? See them below…
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

If you haven’t seen this channel…they do some cool stuff!

Technically Speaking...

Never seen it tied like this before!!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Hunters!

Controlled hunt applications for deer, elk, pronghorn, swan, fall black bear and turkey now open; deadline June 5

The application period for fall 2024 deer, elk, pronghorn, swan, fall black bear, and fall turkey controlled hunts runs May 1 through June 5. All applicants will receive an email with their draw results by early July if there’s a valid email in their license account. Hunters can also apply for the first Super Hunt drawing through May 31.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/controlled-hunt-applications-deer-elk-pronghorn-swan-fall-black-bear-and-turkey-now-open

Dworshak

Current Trout Stocking

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

Kayaks!