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Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

News, Tips, Tackle and More

Ryan Chris
March 05, 2024

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: With the weather turning a bit colder and windier than it had been in a while - CJ fished tough. I expect it to stay a little tricky until it starts to warm up just a bit. If we get anything around 45 and sunny - those are the days I’d be targeting. I’ll take a bright sunny 45 degree day over a 50 degree cloudy day in the spring…Trolling seems to be the ticket right now. Flicker Shads, Salmo’s and small underspins like Roadrunners all caught fish that I know of. Bass fishing was tough for most to say the least. The anglers that I know had success pulled out blade baits and Keitechs. Sturgeon fishing seemed to slow down a bit as well. I don’t expect CJ to stay down for long and we do have some decent temps rolling in.

Boise River: River is still fishing well. If I could get one lure in your hands that I have supreme confidence in right now it would be the Lucky Craft Pointer 65. It is a more expensive bait but it’s flat out crushing. The Dynamic Lures HD Trout lures would be a very close second right now. I wouldn’t count out the simple drifted soft bead right now 🤫 !

Brownlee: Water levels are at 2045 - down 8 feet from last week. Fished pretty tough last week with the downturn in the weather. I do not think it will last! As the sun comes out and the temps warm - that place will be fire! Right now - if you are going to get after it, I’d throw Keitech, blade baits and drop shots. As it warms and gets bright outside - go with the red and orange hard baits and pick your favorite jerkbait. Crappie fishing has been decent! Trolling has been effective but the schools that you’ll run across are not moving. So if you can find them - you can set up and get vertical.

Snake River: The river has remained a little more reliable than the reservoirs but hasn’t been hot. Crankbaits CAN work out here right now and are worth throwing - I personally wouldn’t commit all day to that technique - have 3 options but I’d definitely have one rigged up! The other two would be a Keitech and a smaller tube jig - like Dry Creeks Old Ugly or Green Pumpkin Purple Copper.

Wilson Springs: Getting stocked regularly and fishing well! Powerbait, Dynamic Lures HD Trout and Ultralight Heavyweights jigs!!

Lake Lowell: No report this week.

Lake Cascade: Catching fish! Contact the guys at Tackle Toms for ice updates. The shop is not carrying much in the way of ice fishing this year as we were expecting “moody” ice conditions. We can special order if you need but the best resource right now has been the local shops in Cascade.

Owyhee River: Water is rising and that can make fishing tricky while it’s coming up but great once it settles. Hatches right now will be midges and likely sparse BWO’s mixed in. Nymphs and streamers will work in between. Try smaller, under dressed patterns - skinny and not flashy.

Owyhee Reservoir: No report this week.

Duck valley: From the Tribal Website: SAME REPORT AS LAST WEEK!!

March, 2024 – Cold front to remain after the weekend ice blast dropped down from the Ruby Mountains in Nevada through and beyond Grasmere, Idaho. The severe weather temporarily shut down Idaho and Nevada state roads with due cause, as extreme gusts of high winds tore through blankets of falling sleet and snow reducing driving visibility to an absolute zero. Vehicles were observed to have driven off the blacktop due to the lack of visibility. Road conditions were almost impassible as wind pushed snow over and onto driving lanes with high drifts, up to four feet reaching across both lanes. Freezing temperatures remain.

Both reservoirs have open top water, and are watercraft accessible.

Rainbow Trout activity at both reservoirs has been extremely high.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: As the reservoirs are rising, the fish get a bit more spread out but still hearing good reports. There are fish on top - long liners are catching. No doubt that you can find them deeper but a couple of my most successful Kokanee guys are catching quick near the surface - 80 to 100’ back. Green, pink and orange is the colors that I like right now.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Road has been improved and fish are biting. With the water up, try sectioning off the reservoir into smaller chunks, work those thoroughly and then bite off another chunk!

Anderson Ranch: Guys were getting in at the dam and fishing - not sure just yet what this weather will do to the ramp there. If it warms up or rains, I’d expect you could access the reservoir at the dam end again.

Local Ponds: Lots of trout stocking last week and this week. Your favorite trout pond should be full of eager fish! Some of these local ponds have some good sized bass in them - I’d be giving those a shot - especially on warmer sunnier days. Ponds warm up before larger bodies of water so the bass in these can turn on before other places. Senkos, jigs and jerkbaits might get it done.

Shop News - Spring Bass Class, Idaho Sportsman Show Winners and More!

We want to invite you to attend our Spring Time Bass Fishing Seminar on Saturday, March 16th from 10am to Noon. Taught by former FLW Pro Cody Murray, we will be discussing things like bass movements, bait selection, spawning behaviors, where to fish as well as giving away an Idaho Rod and Reel Link Casting Rod. Cost of the class is $20. You will receive baits selected by Cody Murray for this specific time of the year as well as a RAFFLE TICKET for what Cody considers “one of, if not THE best Chatterbait rods he has ever thrown!” Registration is available online now! All those in attendance will enjoy 15% off in the shop the day of the event
Congratulations to Dawson Squires for winning the Idaho Rod and Reel Link Spinning Rod we raffled off during the Idaho Sportsman Show!
Congratulations to Kolton K and Abbi C for winning our Good Fish Youth Program Jig Tying Competition! See their winning jigs below!
Sign up for the Idaho Rod and Reel Good Fish Youth Program is LIVE!! Please visit idahorodandreel.com and select on the Youth Programs tab to sign up! This program is 100% FREE - all expenses are covered by the shop. This program focuses on leadership and self discipline skills that uses fishing and the outdoors as a conduit to deliver the message. Love to have you involved!!
Please check out the idahorodandreel.com ONLINE STORE! We are adding products daily. Local shipping is very affordable and free on orders over $75.
LINK ROD UPDATE: Spinning Rods - Sold Out, Jerkbait Rod - Sold Out, MH Casting - 2 Left, M Casting - 12 Left
Hey Trout Fishers!! The trout area is an area of the shop that we would really like to improve. If you have bait suggestions, I would LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! [email protected] MIGHT BE A SURPRISE GIFT CARD OR TWO HANDED OUT RANDOMLY FOR SUGGESTIONS!!
Mad Katz Rods In Stock!
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

Not sure how I feel about this…

Technically Speaking...

Pre Spawn Bass

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Jerkbaits!!

Cool!

Meet the artists behind your Fish and Game hard cards

To celebrate the work of local outdoor artists, Idaho Fish and Game offers you a hard card—a durable, plastic card that fits right in your pocket, bino harness or tacklebox—featuring original art created by local artists. In part one of our “Meet the Artists” behind the artwork on your hard card, we sit down with local artists Ed Anderson and Josh Udesen to learn what experiences drive their imagination.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/meet-artists-behind-your-fish-and-game-hard-cards

Trout trolling with flies!

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

Jig Fishing!