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Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

News, Tips, Tackle and More

Ryan Chris
February 12, 2024

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Fishing for crappie, perch and trout has been pretty decent - though it seems there have been a day or two where it was difficult to catch them. When I look at the more difficult days - the pattern was that it was the coldest days of the week. Just something to think about. Baits that have been working have been all over the place but the one commonality is that most have been casting and retrieving as opposed to trolling. Small plastics tipped with bait will work - try something like the Berkley Powerbait Minnows or a Mr. Crappie paddletail. This is not to say that trolling won’t work - just play with the speeds and actions of the baits you are throwing. For example - a jointed Flicker Shad has a lot more action than one that isn’t jointed. Sometimes that extra action is a good thing - sometimes not. Fish around and find out 😆! Bass fishing has been steady. Look for warmer water and throw baits that you can work slowly - throw a blade bait, smaller paddle tail or drop shot and I think you will catch a few! Sturgeon fishing has been pretty good and I expect it to continue to get better as long as we don’t hit a real crazy cold snap.

Boise River: Such a steady performer right now. Ultralight Heavyweights jigs, small Rapalas, small cranks and jerkbaits and simple split shot rigs tipped with a little worm will always get you hooked up. Fishing has been more productive from Eagle up stream. If you are not sure where to start - pick a bridge!

Brownlee: Water levels are at 2064. No reports on crappie but the bass fishing has improved a bit with some pretty mild temperatures this last week. I would expect the fishing to continue to improve as the temps stay mild for this time of the year. I’m still on the 3.3 Keitech and blade bait train - targeting 30-40’ but making some casts into 10-20’ as well, especially if its a sunny day. Woodhead is a consistent winter bass fishery and if the fishing ends up not being what you were hoping for, you’re not too far away from chicken strips at the Gateway!

Snake River: Good reports coming from the river from some while others are fishing but not catching. I would chalk this up to timing and a smaller bite window as well as bait selection. Keep it simple and throw something that you can work slowly - target the warmest part of the day, or the brightest! Try a drop shot, a small tube or a Ned rig. Look for back eddies on sides of the river that are in the sun the longest.

Wilson Springs: Plenty of fish to catch here. Keep it simple - powerbait on a split shot rig or light Carolina rig or cast and retrieve with Ultralight Heavyweights!

Lake Lowell: No report this week.

Lake Cascade: Tricky ice conditions right now. Get involved with the Facebook groups and with Tackle Toms for the most current reports. Lake Cascade State Park posted this on their Facebook page 3 days ago:

Attention Recreationalists,

The staff at Lake Cascade State Park have received several reports from individuals regarding incidents of people breaking through the ice on Lake Cascade near the Van Wyck parking area and access point. These incidents have involved individuals both on foot and utilizing all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles. Therefore, we advise all visitors to be aware that potentially unsafe ice conditions may exist on Lake Cascade. Please exercise extreme caution if participating in recreational activities on the ice.

Owyhee River: No report this week.

Owyhee Reservoir: No report this week.

Duck valley: From the Tribal Website:

February 12, 2024 – Temperatures through out the valley have dropped since last week. Mountain View is veiled in ice that is way less than three inches thick in most areas.

Sheep Creek top water is over three-quarters open. Ice is present in various areas along the shallows at a distance of fifty feet from the shoreline of the main boating dock, where ice depths registering less than four inches. Rainbow Trout activity at both reservoirs has been high in areas with safe access.

Various data samples taken suggest an average ice loss of one inch throughout the reservoir since last week due to the warmer daily highs and lows.

Four inches of ice is considered safe for one person, ice thickness measurements are currently less than three inches immediately off the shoreline at all reservoirs.

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Still catching fish here. Both trout and kokanee on pinks and oranges.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Seems to be the hotter reservoir at the moment. Green/Silver dodger has been producing as has the Orange/Copper. Looking for fish in that 20’-30’ range from what I’ve been told but wouldn’t count out shallower water on the sunny days.

Anderson Ranch: Still hearing that we are a couple weeks out on having access to the ramps though I really have not been able to confirm that.

Local Ponds: Trout fishing has been good as F&G has been stocking. Bass won’t be far behind as these temps warm. These ponds usually warm up before anything else does - especially the dark bottom ones!

Shop News - Youth Program, Youtube Channel, Kokanee Class and More…

There is still 30 seats available in the Kokabow Kokanee Class, Session 2. This will be at the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center from 2-4pm this Saturday. Sign up at idahorodandreel.com.
I am excited to announce the Idaho Rod and Reel Good Fish YOUTH PROGRAM! Please check out the link below for the announcement on our new youtube channel. Please give us a follow and stay tuned for more videos specific to our local fisheries. Sign up will be open soon! This program will be available COMPLETELY FREE as all expenses are covered by the shop. Thank you for the support that has allowed us to get to this point. This is a big deal for me personally and I am grateful to this community for allowing me to do this!!
the IDAHORODANDREEL.com online store is LIVE and several customers are already using it for local pickups and our customers that live just a bit outside of Nampa are taking advantage of low shipping costs to order product and supporting the shop. I cannot THANK YOU enough! More items are being added daily.
Trout Class put on by Jordan Rodriguez and Tight Lines 208! Join him for a great class at the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center on February 15, from 6pm to 8:30pm. Cost is $50 and includes a Trout Fishing Started Kit. Please sign up online at www.tightlines208.com.
Signature Jerkbait Rod is Sold Out. Only a few Link spinning rods and medium heavy casting rods are left.
We are working on several resources to help make this your best year of fishing ever…I can’t wait!
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!!
Some great new crankbaits are in the shop - getting ready for March!
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

Hey! It’s ME!

Technically Speaking...

INTERESTING!

Local and National Fishing News…and other “Stuff”

Get Involved!

Reminder: Anglers can provide comments on F&G’s fishing seasons and fish management plan beginning Feb. 14 and attend public meetings to get more information

Beginning on Feb. 14, anglers will have not one, but three different opportunities to leave public comments and shape Idaho’s fisheries. Idaho Fish and Game highly encourages angler input, so staff is also hosting meetings throughout the state to provide information and take comments in person.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/reminder-anglers-can-provide-comments-fgs-fishing-seasons-and-fish-management-plan

Cascade WARNINGS!

F&G asks ice anglers and 'polar plunge' participants to take precautions on Lake Cascade

Idaho Fish and Game wants to remind ice anglers this winter to always remain cautious when walking or operating off-highway vehicles on ice. Throughout this winter ice fishing season, there have been multiple reports of people cutting large square holes in the ice so they can take a "polar plunge" or ice bath.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/fg-asks-ice-anglers-and-polar-plunge-participants-take-precautions-lake-cascade

Just yuck…

F&G officers investigating 49 ducks shot and left to waste in Canyon County

Idaho Fish and Game is seeking the public’s help in gathering information about a large number of ducks that were recently shot and left to waste in Canyon County. If anyone has information about these ducks that were left to waste, please call the Nampa Regional Office at 208-465-8465 or the Citizen’s Against Poaching Hotline at 1-800-632-5999.

idfg.idaho.gov/article/fg-officers-investigating-49-ducks-shot-and-left-waste-canyon-county

Trolling for Trout

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

This was cool!