Hook Points, Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: Crappie fishing has been great. Trolling has been effective as has casting small plastic jigs tipped with bait. Bass fisherman have been picking them up on crankbaits and jerkbaits pretty close to the banks in some areas. Bass fishing has been really good - especially for smallmouth. Throw Ned rigs, drop shots, jigs and crankbaits. Sturgeon fishing has been awesome! Crappie is the bait of choice as the water warms.

Boise River: Running VERY high! Fishable from the bank in some areas but I would stay out of the water!

Brownlee: Water levels are 2067 at the time of this publication. All ramps are open. Water is brown and beware of debris and LARGE logs in the water. Fishing has been very good for bass and catfish. Bass on crankbaits, jerkbaits, ned rigs and drop shots. Catfish on cut bait. Crappie fishing has improved! They are closer to the banks and if you can find areas with overhanging vegetation and chunk rock - you'll find crappie in 6-14' of water.

Swan Falls - Above the Dam: Great fishing. Water clarity is meh - not great and there is quite a bit of debris in the water. Tube jigs and shallow diving cranks will get the job done. And maybe a topwater bait!

Swan Falls - Below the Dam: Fishing has been really good for sturgeon on cut baits - crappie seems to be the winner right now. Bass fishing has been very good. Tube jigs, ned rigs and swimbaits with 1/4oz heads.

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

Lake Lowell: 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 are being caught throughout the lake now - and from the banks! Red and white as well as pearl/black soft plastics are working. Bass fishing remains kinda yucky...gotta be picking up soon!

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: Fish are being caught. It's been spotty but improving and most are finding at least a fish or two. They are on top - give black, purple and dark green a try. Water here is a little warmer than Arrowrock. 

Arrowrock Reservoir: Fish are being caught but report is similar to Lucky Peak. See current water levels below. Try fishing shallower - closer to the bank than you normally might. You'll probably at least run into a few more trout this way. Good reports from the bank for trout with powerbait and worms.

Anderson Ranch: Water is dirty. Kokanee are being caught but you have to put in your time. No word on the bass fishing yet. Trying to get more info.

Local Ponds: Really nice bass being caught in the local ponds off the greenbelts and in Caldwell. Lots of different lures working. I'd be throwing Ned rigs, jigs and swimbaits. Bass are spawning in these ponds and some fish are on beds!

Snake River - Catfishing: Good catfish are being caught throughout the river now and are shallower than most people think!.

Shop News - New Class Coming Soon!

• Idaho Rod and Reel is stocking several styles of BKK Hooks. Hearing REALLY good things about the big game and circle hooks from the sturgeon hunters.

• This months Idaho Rod and Reel Customs giveaway prize is...a $20 Gift Card AND a Tungsten Master pack. This includes tungsten worm weights, drop shot weights, ball head jigs and 3 custom tied (by me) Tungsten Football Head jigs. The total value of this package is over $200!

• New Idaho Rod and Reel Anniversary hats ARE IN STOCK! Artwork was done by local Idaho Artist, Michael Crane. If this hat doesn't represent Idaho fishing, then I don't know what does! They will be available for $19.99. I plan on having a new hat every year for our Anniversary. Start collecting now :)

• We are excited to announce that Idaho Rod and Reel is stocking Bunker Baits. A LOCALLY owned and operated soft plastics and bait company.

• Looking to schedule TWO lure crafting classes the third week in May. These will most likely be on a Tuesday AND Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8pm. If I can get everything dialed in, we will learn how to make banded and hand tied skirted jigs, marabou hair jigs and crappie jigs.

Worth Watching

I've tried it...and it works!

Technically Speaking...

Crappie Spawn!

Local and National Fishing News

Sweet!!!

The Salmon Run!!

Current Trout Stocking

Great podcast!

Crappie fishing and moon phases...

New in the Shop

This is the bait you need at Lowell!! Keitech Crazy Flappers!

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

Derek Riley!! Nice catch! Looks like an On The Spot Bait - we stock those. PHENOMENAL baits!

Scott and Jodi just crushed the smallies on Saturday! A bunch on Idaho Rod and Reel products...somebody is trying to win some Tungsten!!