Hook Points
Posts
Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

News, Tips, Tackle and More

Ryan Chris
June 20, 2023

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Decent reports for smallmouth on drop shots and tube jigs. The largemouth bite has been a low light thing…early morning and then evening again anywhere you can find heavy cover. Sturgeon fishing has been good with crappie and Ardcore Smelt both above and below the dam. Crappie fishing remains fair for those that are trolling. Try a Mr. Crappie crankbait or a Salmo Hornet. Upside to the Hornet is that it sure catches a lot of other species as well!

Boise River: Water is high but certainly at a better level now than it was a month ago! My fly fishing friends are reporting catches on nymphs and streamers up against the banks but they are still recommending that folks stay on the banks.

Brownlee: Reservoir is full. Catfishing has been EXCEPTIONAL and provides a really fun bank fishing opportunity right now. The cats are up shallow feeding on the bass fry and reports of 15-20 fish days has been the norm. Bass fishing is fair with early morning and late in the day being the most productive. Give a spook a try in the morning and evening on shallower flats and take a look at a GP Fishing Company Finesse Jig with a Bunker Baits Paratrooper trailer later in the day.

Swan Falls - Above the Dam: Very consistent action. Look at dragging a tube later in the day and give the ol’ whopper plopper a try early and late!

Swan Falls - Below the Dam: Decent strugeon reports on cut bait right below the dam. Bass fishing has been decent as well. Try just a simple Keitech 2.8 or 3.3 on a round ball head around the rocks or any back eddies.

Wilson Springs: Decent catches being reported. If you’re going on the weekends, get there early! Nightcrawlers and powerbait have been working.

Lake Lowell: Frogs and flipping…for me personally, that’s a Spro Bronzeye in white or black and a simple tube texas rigged. Trees, stumps and bushes!

Lake Cascade: Bass fishing has been decent and so has trolling for perch. For the perch - throw a Salmo Hornet. I HIGHLY recommend this bait!! For the bass, find some gravel and rocks and drag a tube or a NED!

Owyhee River: Fished really well this last week. You can start throwing small terrestrials right now as well as small yellow stones. Nymphing will catch you fish all day long…

Owyhee Reservoir: Guys are catching fish and decent numbers of them - though they tend to be running small, in the 1-1.5 pound class. Drag a jig around and an X-Zone Ned…PB&J colored.

Duck valley: Fishing remains really good! From the banks, powerbait has been doing the work. Trolling has been effective along the dam and out on the weed edges. If you’re trolling, keep an eye on the weed edge and get a good route going wherein you can keep the lures just above the weed edges. You will SMASH them if you can!!

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Fishing has been fair - be prepared to put in a full day to get a full boat. Look at oranges and greens for dodgers and oranges and pinks for lures. Tuna Blood corn has been popular. Surface temps are warming so porbably about time to start looking a little deeper. This week is supposed to be unseasonably cool so maybe some long lining action will still be had.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Same report as Lucky Peak.

Anderson Ranch: Bass fishing remains a head scratcher…plenty of fish being caught but they are smaller fish. Going to try to get up there myself to get a look at it. Hopefully more to report next week. I’d be looking at drop shots and ned rigs. Kokanee fishing is good for those putting in the time. Fish are starting to push down a little bit. If you are struggling, make sure you are varying your speeds as you troll and are adding S-curves to your trolling routes. Orange has been a steady producing color!

Local Ponds: The ponds start to get a little funky with the hot days as they can get overgrown QUICKLY! If you’re fishing a bass pond - a frog might be one of your only options. For the trout ponds, might need to try top down techniques in open stretches of water. That means the good ol’ bobber and worm or try using a casting bubble and fly. This can be very effective! It’s heavy enough that you can cast to the deeper, cooler and cleaner water and subtle enough that you can still catch fish. If you are going with the bobber and crawler set up - instead of balling the worm up on the hook, try leaving longer pieces of worm hanging of that move and wiggle like crazy…

Snake River - Catfishing: Catfishing has been really good. Fish are shallower and being caught on cut bait.

Shop News - Summer Bass Fishing Class, New Baits!

Join us Tuesday night, 6/20/23 for an Intermediate Bass Fishing class focusing on Summer strategies. This will be taught by Cody Murray, a former FLW Tour pro. Sign up at Idahorodandreel.com by selecting the “Classes” button to make sure we have a spot for you. This will be from 6:30pm to 9pm in the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center and is brought to you FREE OF CHARGE by Idaho Rod and Reel.
ARK RODS SHOULD BE HERE TODAY!! Had some darn shipping issues that delayed their arrival and made me look like a liar but fingers crossed - today is the day! Insane rod and insane value. You’re going to like these…
We have added over 300 SKU’s of trout, crappie, bass and sturgeon gear in the last 10 days!
We are about out of the Idaho Rod and Reel Sun Hoodies!! If you want one - let me know asap and I will check for your size!! These have been a a HUGE hit and guys are loving the fabric and fit.
I made a bulk purchase on fishing pliers and am passing the savings on to you. I have both straight and curved - FOR $3!!
New Idaho Rod and Reel hats are in stock! See Pics Below!
Idaho Rod and Reel Customs drawing this month will be for a Daiwa Fuego spinning reel AND a spool of Daiwa J-Braid and Sunline Fluorocarbon. This is valued at over $140! Just catch a fish with any Idaho Rod and Reel Customs product and tag us on Facebook and Instagram. Every time you post, you are entered!

Worth Watching

Summer Kokanee Information

Technically Speaking...

LOVE THIS!

Local and National Fishing News

Summer Chinook!

F&G Commission approves summer Chinook seasons to start June 22

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission met via conference call and approved summer Chinook salmon seasons for the South Fork Salmon, Upper Salmon and Lochsa rivers. The seasons will open Thursday, June 22 and remain open seven days a week until harvest goals are achieved.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/fg-commission-approves-summer-chinook-seasons-start-june-22

Customers Have Been Asking About This!

Common Parasite found in Idaho Panfish: Yellow Grubs

Despite many panfish carrying these parasites, research suggests grubs have little to no impact on panfish populations. If you find grubs in your catch while cleaning a fish, you don’t need to throw it out, just make sure to cook your fish thoroughly.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/common-parasite-found-idaho-panfish-yellow-grubs

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

DEPS Cover Scat…Ya, it’s weird. Yes it catches fish!