Hook Points - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Crappie fishing is good and the fish are big. Small jigs tipped with bait and trolling small crankbaits. The narrows are packed on the weekends so be prepared. Idaho Rod and Reel is now stocking baits by ACC for crappies! Come in and take a look. Bass fishing has been really good. Cover water with crankbaits or fish the flats with tube jigs. Sturgeon fishing remains steady with those using cut bait.

Boise River: Running VERY high! Fishable from the bank in some areas but I would stay out of the water! The plan is to drop the water a bit this week but Hazardous Water signs will remain posted. Fish are being caught! Just do it from the bank...

Brownlee: Water levels are 2069.5 at the time of this publication. All ramps are open. Water is brown and beware of debris and LARGE logs in the water but water clears in the Powder arm and closer to Woodhead. Fishing has been very good for bass. In terms of baits for the bass - it has been a smorgasboard. Idaho Rod and Reel Ambassadors are reporting fish catches on drop shots, ned rigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfishing has been really good on cut bait and Ardcore Squid. Crappie fishing is improving and they are good sized. Look at any rocky point in 2-10' of water. 

Swan Falls - Above the Dam: Great fishing for smallmouth bass - tubes, curly tail grubs, spinnerbaits and crankbaits will get the job done. I personally would not be hesitant to throw topwaters...

Swan Falls - Below the Dam: Good reports for sturgeon on cut bait! Bass fishing for those that can float has been solid. Look for current breaks and eddies - drag a heavy tube!

Wilson Springs: Fishing has been great! Powerbait has caught several!

Lake Lowell: SAME REPORT AS LAST WEEK!! Mixed reviews for Lowell fishing as of late. Sounds like a some are catching several while most are just catching a few. Buzzbaits, frogs, chatterbaits and flipping baits like a Keitech Crazy Flapper will get the job done.

Owyhee River: Fishing well! Try smaller rapalas and Dynamic Lures jerkbaits. Mixes of different insect hatches are happening...PMD's, BWO's and evening Caddis.

Owyhee Reservoir: Crappie fishing has been really good and they can be found throughout the system in 6-20' of water. Check out rocky points and spend some time in the coves. Crappie guys are catching bass which hopefully means the bass fishing is about to fire up. They are being caught but have been tough. 

Duck valley: From the Reservation website:

Currently, Mountain View Reservoir HAS NO MORE ICE. Spring fish stocking is currently in progress it was stocked on the 4th of May and will received more on the 16th. 

Sheep Creek Reservoir has NO MORE ICE. Will be getting stocked on May 11th and again on the 16th. 

Billy Shaw lake is NOW OPEN to recreational fishing activities and HAS NO ICE. Will be getting stocked on May 9th with Trophy Fish. 

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Kokanee fishing is definitely improving but it seems to be in chunks...one day limits are caught and the next 2 fish are caught. Purples and oranges are working!

Arrowrock Reservoir: Fish are being caught but report is similar to Lucky Peak. 

Anderson Ranch: Water is dirty but the Kokanee that are being caught are big. I am not hearing of great reports in terms of numbers in regard to Kokanee but hearing decent things about the bass fishing.

Local Ponds: Good fish being caught in the ponds. For the stocker trout - throw powerbait! The bass have been hitting texas rigged worms and creatures as well wacky rigged senkos. If you haven't fished a 6th Sense Hogwalla, you might wanna!

Snake River - Catfishing: Good catfish are being caught throughout the river. Cut bait and Ardcore squid are working.

Shop News - New Crappie Baits, Classes and Pliers

• New ACC Crappie Baits will be in stock this week!

• I am still working out the details on the lure making class but hope to have information coming out soon! We will most likely offer this class on two different days.

• New Idaho Rod and Reel Sun Hoodies are coming soon! Just in time for the hot weather around the corner!

• I made a bulk purchase on fishing pliers and am passing the savings on to you. I have both straight and curved - FOR $3!!

• Come check out the new selection of Bobby Garland crappie baits!

• Yamamoto Yamatanuki's will be in stock this week! Not sure what those are? Think of a terd...with a tail...that catches bass!

• Strike King Slab Hammer crankbaits for crappies in stock this week!

Worth Watching

Great video!

Technically Speaking...

Local and National Fishing News

I've shown this site to many folks!! Most have no idea it exists...

The Salmon Run!!

Current Trout Stocking

Tips from an Idaho Boy!

Crayfish! Not just for bass!!

New in the Shop

ACC Crappie Baits and the Yamatanuki!

Idaho Rod and Reel Anniversary "Celebrate Idaho Fishing" Hats! Selling quickly and for a great cause! 50% of profits from these hats will go to help fund our youth programs!

Catch Spotlight

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

Oliver catches them with On the Spot Baits Jittermite!

Another good one Maison - on the Idaho Rod and Reel Spinning Rod!! Another entry for the Tungsten Drawing!

You know who this is...Nice catch Levi!