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Hookpoints - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Hookpoints - Idaho's Fishing Newsletter

Warm....WINDY!

Ryan Chris
April 17, 2023

Fishing Reports

CJ Strike: As the crappie fishing improves, you're going to find more and more boats on the water - especially on the weekends. Remember to give your fellow fisherman a little elbow room to cast and fish. The bait hasn't been as important as finding them...I know this as everyone I have talked to is catching them on something different! Bass fishing has been decent. Ned rigs have been catching both large and smallmouth but I'm not putting away my reaction baits just yet. Give a brightly colored crankbait a try...While most are hating on the wind, I find the bass tend to eat a little better with a decent chop. Sturgeon fishing hit a little lull but they are still being caught. The Ardcore Pickled Smelt is always a good bet along with other cutbaits. Trout fishing remains great for those trolling. I sent a customer out with a white Salmo and he sent me back pictures of happy kids with trout!

Boise River: Running high and dangerous. Question I got all week was "is it fishable?" It's a tricky one...yes - it is. High, off color water will often push the trout right up against the banks as they try to get out of the new powerful currents. It's tough to fish it because the river is so high that it's up in the trees and bushes making it hard to access the rivers edge without wading in. And I wouldn't wade it!! So yes trout can be caught in off colored, high water in the Boise...I just wouldn't recommend it for a while.

Brownlee: Water levels are 2045.5 as of the time of this publication. This opens up a few more ramps. Fishing has been very good for bass and catfish. Bass on crankbaits up against the banks and cats on cut bait. Crappie remain elusive.

Swan Falls - Above the Dam: Bass fishing is good but not consistent. Keep an eye on the wind as the colder windy days seem to be the days with fewer fish caught. Water clarity is a few feet but getting darker. Still a reaction bite here...crankbaits, jerkbaits and lipless.

Swan Falls - Below the Dam: Bass fishing has been good but inconsistent as well. Ned rigs, crankbaits and the good ol' wacky rig caught fish that I know of last week.

Wilson Springs: Fishing has been decent with dough baits and powerbait. Ultralight Heavyweights jigs are still producing!

Lake Lowell: Now open for boating. Bass tournament on Saturday saw upwards of 70 boats! Fishing was decent with spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and swimbaits doing a lot of the work. If you're new to fishing here - pay attention to the wind. Lowell is a shallow bowl...it doesn't take a ton of wind to stir it up!

Owyhee River: River was a trickle last week but flows are increasing as the reservoir levels start to rise and they prepare to deal with a very high snow pack. The river has been CROWDED! Fishing was really good as the low flows consolidated the fish. Just about everything was working...

Cascade Reservoir Perch/ICE: Check with the local tackle shops up north but what little I have heard is that they are catching and there is still ice.

Horsethief Reservoir/ICE: No report.

Duck valley/ICE: No report

Lucky Peak Reservoir: Fish are being caught but be prepared to put in your time. Water is a little off color and levels have been rising - this can make for some tricky but not impossible fishing. While I expect we are still at least a month away from really good fishing, fish are still being caught on Orange, Copper and Green dodgers with orange and pink hoochies. I highly recommend Kokabow Fishing Tackle dodgers and lures. See announcements below for an upcoming Kokabow Tackle Kokanee Presentation coming up.

Arrowrock Reservoir: Fish are being caught but report is similar to Lucky Peak. See current water levels below.

Anderson Ranch: Sounds like the Elk Creek ramp is open and ice is receding. Kokanee are being caught but it's a bit of a grind. Greens, Silver and Pink are color combinations that I have heard are working.

Local Ponds: Bass are starting to bite and fish and game are stocking frequently!

Snake River - Catfishing: Seeing good fish caught! If you are new to the catfishing game, start by fishing by the many bridges that cross the snake. Cut bait has definitely been the bait of choice. Catch a couple pikeminnows or suckers on nightcrawlers and you are good to go!

Shop News - New Products, Classes and Sales

Jordan Rodriguez with Tightlines 208 will hold his "All About that Bass" class at the Idaho Rod and Reel Learning Center on Thursday, April 20th. Cost is $65 and includes a tackle pack.
Fish an Idaho Rod and Reel Customs product, post in on social media and you might win a $100 Mystery Tackle Box! Just tag us @idrodandreel on IG and @idahorodandreel on FB - use the hashtag idahorodandreelcustoms! Whether you used one of our custom swim jigs or an inexpensive lead drop shot weight - DOESN'T MATTER!
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 :)
Kokabow Tackle will be at the Idaho Fish and Game Headquarters in Boise off of Walnut Street on April 29th from 1-3pm. With the "interesting" weather, water and tricky Kokanee Fishing that we have been dealing with - I WOULDN'T WANT TO MISS THIS!
Tons of new baits in stock from Big Bite Baits, Z-Man, Dynamic Trout Lures, 6th Sense and more!
If you find yourself struggling to choose a great spinnerbait and/or chatterbait trailer, take a look at the Big Bite Baits Kamikaze Swimon with either the standard or split tails.
We have a few 6th Sense MFER Miliken Rods left in stock that are on sale for $100! Baitcasting models include 6'10" Med MF, 7' MH Fast and in Spinning Rods, we have a 6'11" 4 Pc that is perfect for traveling or stowing under your seat in your car!
New Classes Coming Soon!
Big Idaho Rod and Reel Customer Appreciation Event COMING SOON!

Worth Watching

Good to know!

Technically Speaking...

I have shared this before but as I help guys rig up in the shop and they see me tie a knot, everyone asks, "What knot is that?"...this is a GREAT video on how to tie it.

Curious about Downriggers?

Local and National Fishing News

FREE CLASS!

Learn skills early western frontier people needed to survive at second annual "Living History Rendezvous"

Curious how the trappers, explorers and mountain men of Idaho lived in the early 1800s? For the second straight year, Idaho Fish and Game, in partnership with Idaho Free Trappers, is hosting a “Living History Rendezvous” to teach people many of the skills that these early western frontier people and their families needed to survive. The free, family-friendly event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 6, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 7 at Black’s Creek Public Shooting Range, 2420 E Kuna Mora Road in Kuna.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/article/learn-skills-early-western-frontier-people-needed-survive-second-annual-living-history

Great link to learn about PANFISH for the kiddos!

Wildlife Express

Wildlife Express is a monthly newsletter for elementary school age children that teaches lessons about wildlife species and subjects.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/education/wildlife-express

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.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/d7/fish/stocking/forecasts?rid=3

Go Get One!!

Yellow 'Banana Trout' Stocked at Mann Lake - The Fishing Wire

Approximately 5,400 of bright yellow beauties were stocked into this popular fishing destination early April.

https://thefishingwire.com/yellow-banana-trout-stocked-at-mann-lake/

Milliken lives up to his big-fish reputation and takes lead at Bassmaster Open on Toledo Bend - The Bass Cast

Ben Milliken of New Caney, Texas, is leading after Day 1 of the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Toledo Bend with 29 pounds, 8 ounces. Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S. April 13, 2023 Milliken lives up to his big-fish reputation and takes lead at Bassmaster Open on Toledo Bend MANY, La. — Ben Milliken is an angler […]

https://thebasscast.com/2023/04/13/milliken-lives-up-to-his-big-fish-reputation-and-takes-lead-at-bassmaster-open-on-toledo-bend/