Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Crappie and perch fishing has been decent. Small marabou crappie jigs with subtle tail actions have been working on the days where the fish are a bit “moody” we will call it 😃! I am always going to be tipping these jigs with bait. Bass fishing has picked up a bit as the temps have warmed. The best scenario is sun and warm temps with minimal wind but even an overcast warmer day can get the bass to feed a bit. More likely to be a steady bite over a hot one. Give a smaller profiled drop shot, a tube and a blade bait a try.

Boise River: Great time of the year to catch big browns. For me, the best way to find them is to throw on the waders and go for a walk…get away from the main access areas a bit. Look at throwing shrimp under a float, small cranks and jerkbaits and Ultralight Heavyweights jigs will catch just about anything that swims.

Brownlee: Water levels are at 2062 which means all ramps are available for use. Bass fishing has been slow but they can certainly be caught. I’d be considering a blade bait, a hair jig and a drop shot or small Ned rig.

Snake River: Not hearing much about the river right now. Doesn’t mean they aren’t biting! I would expect the bass to be a little sluggish but catchable. Slow down and get a little smaller…try a hair jig! I have Black, White, PB&J, Brown and Dark Olive in the shop right now.

Wilson Springs: Fishing has been just fine here! Try a little bit of powerbait on a small hook and carolina rig and Ultralight Heavyweights jigs - something with a little orange and something with a little olive in it.

Lake Lowell: No report this week.

Lake Cascade: Plan on dealing with some slush until cooler temperatures settle in. Fishing has been good! Try jigging raps, slab raps and small tungsten ice jigs tipped with worm. Stop at the shops in Cascade for the latest!

Owyhee River: No report this week.

Owyhee Reservoir: No report this week.

Duck valley: From the Tribal Website:

January 29, 2024 – Heavy, wet snow and muddy roads throughout the valley.  Both reservoirs are iced over, thicker ice along shorelines and shallows, with thinner ice covering the deeper depths towards the center of the reservoirs.  Warmer daily temperatures have caused some watershed accumulation on top of the ice in various areas at each reservoir, and floating ice, as some ice has detached from shorelines. 

Ice thickness measurements taken January 26, 2024, at a distance of a hundred feet from the shoreline of the main boating dock, indicate Mountain View ice depths at five inches, and at distances of 250 feet from the main dock is registering at four and a half inches.  Ice forming over middle deeper water is remarkably thinner at four and three-quarters of an inch 50 feet out, and thin along the edges.   The west dam area, and eastern shallows are around six to seven inches thick at 100 feet from the shore. 

Lucky Peak Reservoir: No report.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Good fishing reported from Arrowrock. Sounds like the road in is really rough!! Please be patient with each other on those roads!! I’d be starting with an Orange and Copper Kokabow dodger and an Orange Kokabow squid. You’ll find these fish on your fish finders all over the place…your job is to figure out what depth the eaters are in!! I’d start on top early and get deeper as the day goes on.

Anderson Ranch: No report.

Local Ponds: No reports.

Shop News - Remodel is Complete, Kokanee Class, Link Spinning Rods are IN STOCK, Signature Jerkbait Almost Sold Out, This Year Will Be Your Best!!

• Save the date! February 17, from 10am to Noon. Join Idaho Rod and Reel and Kokabow Tackle in the learning center for a seminar on Kokanee fishing. Biology, techniques, tactics and rigging will all be discussed with a special discussion on using side planers! Sign up NOW at idahorodandreel.com. Click on the classes link at the top of the Home Page and add to cart! We have room for 80 people!! This will fill up QUICKLY.

• The Idaho Rod and Reel Link Spinning Rods are IN STOCK AND SELLING SO DANG QUICKLY!! Come and take a look…I think you’ll like what you see 😉 

• The Idaho Rod and Reel Signature Jerkbait rod is all but sold out. At the time of publishing this newsletter, there are 3 left!

• CHANGES COMING!! The goal of the shop this year is to make this the best year of fishing that YOU have ever had…Just wait to see what we have planned!

• The shop remodel is complete and we have made room for 1200 more sku’s! The Trout, Salmon, Kokanee and Crappie inventories will be greatly increased this season. Come take a look!

• REACTION INNOVATIONS VIXENS IN STOCK! Bone, Lime Ice and other colors!!

• idahorodandreel.com is LIVE and can be used to purchase products. More are being added daily! Items can be set aside for local pick up, shipped free with purchase of $75 or more or UPS and USPS shipping.

• I’d love to hear from you about products that you would like to see in the shop. Email me at [email protected]…one random suggestion just might end up winning you a prize

Worth Watching

Ice Fishing Cascade

Technically Speaking...

Kokanee Rigging

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Interesting!

Coldwater Crankbait Fishing

Flashers on ICE!

Current Trout Stocking

Great little series…

Steelhead Update!

New in the Shop

Reaction Innovations Vixens IN STOCK!

New Idaho Rod and Reel Beanies are Here! Just $12.99

Catch Spotlight

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

The Pardini boys found a couple!

Jodi with her first Kokanee!

Lance’s buddy caught one and let him hold it for a picture. What a great friend! (kidding…he STOLE it from his buddy!!)

Paul always finds at least 1…

Conner with his first Spotted Bass!