04-15-2008, 12:08 AM
General Regional Information - Spring 2008
Warmer days indicate the time for spring fishing is here. Ice is off the lakes and reservoirs in the Magic Valley Region. Cool spring water temperatures mean good conditions for reservoir trout fishing. Expect warm water fisheries to pick up in late spring and early summer. Fish stocking generally picks-up in late April and early May. Current stocking records for reservoir and stream fisheries throughout the state can be viewed on the IDFG website. Fishing regulations should be consulted prior to fishing any water as regulations may vary by location.
Many of the regions reservoirs were stocked in the fall. See the fish stocking information for reservoir and stream fisheries throughout the state.
Rivers and Streams
Most rivers and streams in the region fall under the general stream season and are closed until the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, May 27th. However, the Snake River is open year round with fishing opportunities including trout, bass, catfish and carp. Year round angling opportunities also exist on the Little Wood River.
Near average snow pack levels in most of the region are a good indication many rivers and streams will be running high during the early stream season.
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Lakes and Reservoirs<br />
Popular lake and reservoir spring fisheries in the region include: Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir, Roseworth Reservoir (Cedar Creek), Magic Reservoir, Oakley Reservoir (Goose Creek), and Lake Walcott. Rainbow trout are the primary target for most spring lake and reservoir anglers. Trout angling techniques vary by species and water condition. Boat anglers commonly troll spoons, spinners, flies, or pop gear. Bank anglers typically fish worms and power bait on the bottom, suspended from the bottom, or suspended from a bobber. Fly anglers use a variety of flies representing fish, midges, leeches, mayflies, and other aquatic insects.
Ice is coming slowly on many regional reservoirs. As of 3/21/08 Salmon Falls Creek Reserovir, Oakley Reservoir, and Magic Reservoir all have patchy ice remaining.
The list of waters below will give you an idea of what fishing opportunities exist at various reservoirs:
Little Camas Reservoir - rainbow trout (10 - 14 in). Little Camas experienced extreme draw down last fall. Angler catches will primarily be from spring trout stocking.<br />
Little Wood Reservoir - rainbow trout (10 - 14 in)<br />
Fish Creek Reservoir - rainbow trout (10 - 12), brook trout present, Fish Creek Reservoir was dry in 2007. Angler catches will primarily be from spring trout stocking.<br />
Magic Reservoir - perch (6 - 14 in), rainbow trout (14 - 20 in), occasional brown trout<br />
Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir - perch (6 - 12 in), rainbow trout (12 - 16 in) with occasional larger fish, walleye (good numbers, but difficult to catch), crappie present<br />
Thorn Creek Reservoir - rainbow trout (14 -16 in)
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White Sturgeon<br />
Both the Snake and lower Salmon rivers offer one of the most unique freshwater fishing experiences you can have anywhere: fishing for white sturgeon. Sturgeon can be caught all year since there is currently no set sturgeon fishing season.
Catch and release fishing for sturgeon continues to be more popular in Idaho every year. As the number of anglers increases, so does the importance of treating hooked fish properly to insure their survival. If you decide to try your hand at this exciting sport, please use the following tips to ensure you are practicing "low-impact" sturgeon fishing and treating these ancient fish with the respect they deserve:
Hook 'Em Right: (Keep the fish from swallowing the hook)<br />
Use non-offset circle hooks-sizes 7/0 to 13/0. Non-offset circle hooks offer a tremendous advantage over traditional J-hooks because fish are almost never hooked deeply when using them. An additional advantage of these hooks is that fish rarely become unhooked during the fight. Circle hooks are very different than J-hooks and require a couple of different techniques to hook a sturgeon. First, let the fish mouth the bait a few seconds longer than you would with a J-hook, and second, don't set the hook. Instead, simply start reeling until you come tight on the fish. The hook will catch on the corner of the mouth as you smoothly tighten the line. For those not yet ready to make the switch to circle hooks, it is especially critical to hook the fish quickly before it has a chance to swallow the bait.<br />
Pinch the barb-(It's the law). Pinch the barb down on your hook to ease hook removal and minimize the damage to a sturgeon's fleshy mouth.<br />
Rig it right. Tie your sinker to a dropper line on a sliding swivel (avoid 3-way swivels), using at least ten pound test lighter line than your main line. This will minimize the chances of leaving a baited hook rig snagged to the bottom if you break off. We suspect that this "ghost gear" is getting to be a real problem in some popular fishing holes.<br />
Play 'Em Fast: (Avoid overstressing the fish during the fight)<br />
50-80 lb test monofilament lines are preferred over the superbraid lines because monofilament has much higher abrasion resistance and its thicker diameter is less likely to cut into a fish's body. Additionally, monofilament's stretch makes it much more forgiving when fighting large fish. If you insist on using the superbraids, please use at least 120 to 150lb class lines.<br />
Use heavy gear properly sized to fight powerful fish weighing up to 400 pounds and land the fish as quickly as possible. Lactic acid can build up in the fish's muscles during long fights. A good sturgeon reel needs to be very well built, have a very smooth drag, and hold at least 250 yards of the proper line.<br />
Choose your fishing spot carefully. Be realistic about the chances of landing a large sturgeon when choosing a fishing hole, especially when fishing without a boat. Ask yourself if you will be able to follow the fish if it leaves the hole. Try to avoid having to tell the story of being spooled, leaving 200 yards or more of expensive line hooked to a fish.<br />
Release 'Em Easy: (Ensure the fish will survive to fight another day)<br />
Keep the fish in the water-(It's the law). Don't pull the fish up on the rocks for a photo. Pulling the fish on the rocks will remove the fish's layer of protective mucous and often will open cuts in the fish's skin, which can lead the way to an infection. The best way to get a great sturgeon photo is to get in the water with the fish. In cold weather, this usually means having some waders handy. Keep water flowing over the gills at all times when removing the hook or snapping a picture.<br />
Don't tie the fish by the tail. A tail-roped fish can easily be injured, especially if it starts thrashing. The law requires a sturgeon to be immediately released upon landing it so don't hold the fish for any extended period of time.<br />
Revive a played-out fish by holding its mouth open in the current so water flows over its gills until it wants to swim away. A tired sturgeon will almost always remain calm when you hold them by the mouth upside down in the water. Keep your hands out of their gills at all times.
Warmer days indicate the time for spring fishing is here. Ice is off the lakes and reservoirs in the Magic Valley Region. Cool spring water temperatures mean good conditions for reservoir trout fishing. Expect warm water fisheries to pick up in late spring and early summer. Fish stocking generally picks-up in late April and early May. Current stocking records for reservoir and stream fisheries throughout the state can be viewed on the IDFG website. Fishing regulations should be consulted prior to fishing any water as regulations may vary by location.
Many of the regions reservoirs were stocked in the fall. See the fish stocking information for reservoir and stream fisheries throughout the state.
Rivers and Streams
Most rivers and streams in the region fall under the general stream season and are closed until the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, May 27th. However, the Snake River is open year round with fishing opportunities including trout, bass, catfish and carp. Year round angling opportunities also exist on the Little Wood River.
Near average snow pack levels in most of the region are a good indication many rivers and streams will be running high during the early stream season.
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Lakes and Reservoirs<br />
Popular lake and reservoir spring fisheries in the region include: Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir, Roseworth Reservoir (Cedar Creek), Magic Reservoir, Oakley Reservoir (Goose Creek), and Lake Walcott. Rainbow trout are the primary target for most spring lake and reservoir anglers. Trout angling techniques vary by species and water condition. Boat anglers commonly troll spoons, spinners, flies, or pop gear. Bank anglers typically fish worms and power bait on the bottom, suspended from the bottom, or suspended from a bobber. Fly anglers use a variety of flies representing fish, midges, leeches, mayflies, and other aquatic insects.
Ice is coming slowly on many regional reservoirs. As of 3/21/08 Salmon Falls Creek Reserovir, Oakley Reservoir, and Magic Reservoir all have patchy ice remaining.
The list of waters below will give you an idea of what fishing opportunities exist at various reservoirs:
Little Camas Reservoir - rainbow trout (10 - 14 in). Little Camas experienced extreme draw down last fall. Angler catches will primarily be from spring trout stocking.<br />
Little Wood Reservoir - rainbow trout (10 - 14 in)<br />
Fish Creek Reservoir - rainbow trout (10 - 12), brook trout present, Fish Creek Reservoir was dry in 2007. Angler catches will primarily be from spring trout stocking.<br />
Magic Reservoir - perch (6 - 14 in), rainbow trout (14 - 20 in), occasional brown trout<br />
Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir - perch (6 - 12 in), rainbow trout (12 - 16 in) with occasional larger fish, walleye (good numbers, but difficult to catch), crappie present<br />
Thorn Creek Reservoir - rainbow trout (14 -16 in)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
White Sturgeon<br />
Both the Snake and lower Salmon rivers offer one of the most unique freshwater fishing experiences you can have anywhere: fishing for white sturgeon. Sturgeon can be caught all year since there is currently no set sturgeon fishing season.
Catch and release fishing for sturgeon continues to be more popular in Idaho every year. As the number of anglers increases, so does the importance of treating hooked fish properly to insure their survival. If you decide to try your hand at this exciting sport, please use the following tips to ensure you are practicing "low-impact" sturgeon fishing and treating these ancient fish with the respect they deserve:
Hook 'Em Right: (Keep the fish from swallowing the hook)<br />
Use non-offset circle hooks-sizes 7/0 to 13/0. Non-offset circle hooks offer a tremendous advantage over traditional J-hooks because fish are almost never hooked deeply when using them. An additional advantage of these hooks is that fish rarely become unhooked during the fight. Circle hooks are very different than J-hooks and require a couple of different techniques to hook a sturgeon. First, let the fish mouth the bait a few seconds longer than you would with a J-hook, and second, don't set the hook. Instead, simply start reeling until you come tight on the fish. The hook will catch on the corner of the mouth as you smoothly tighten the line. For those not yet ready to make the switch to circle hooks, it is especially critical to hook the fish quickly before it has a chance to swallow the bait.<br />
Pinch the barb-(It's the law). Pinch the barb down on your hook to ease hook removal and minimize the damage to a sturgeon's fleshy mouth.<br />
Rig it right. Tie your sinker to a dropper line on a sliding swivel (avoid 3-way swivels), using at least ten pound test lighter line than your main line. This will minimize the chances of leaving a baited hook rig snagged to the bottom if you break off. We suspect that this "ghost gear" is getting to be a real problem in some popular fishing holes.<br />
Play 'Em Fast: (Avoid overstressing the fish during the fight)<br />
50-80 lb test monofilament lines are preferred over the superbraid lines because monofilament has much higher abrasion resistance and its thicker diameter is less likely to cut into a fish's body. Additionally, monofilament's stretch makes it much more forgiving when fighting large fish. If you insist on using the superbraids, please use at least 120 to 150lb class lines.<br />
Use heavy gear properly sized to fight powerful fish weighing up to 400 pounds and land the fish as quickly as possible. Lactic acid can build up in the fish's muscles during long fights. A good sturgeon reel needs to be very well built, have a very smooth drag, and hold at least 250 yards of the proper line.<br />
Choose your fishing spot carefully. Be realistic about the chances of landing a large sturgeon when choosing a fishing hole, especially when fishing without a boat. Ask yourself if you will be able to follow the fish if it leaves the hole. Try to avoid having to tell the story of being spooled, leaving 200 yards or more of expensive line hooked to a fish.<br />
Release 'Em Easy: (Ensure the fish will survive to fight another day)<br />
Keep the fish in the water-(It's the law). Don't pull the fish up on the rocks for a photo. Pulling the fish on the rocks will remove the fish's layer of protective mucous and often will open cuts in the fish's skin, which can lead the way to an infection. The best way to get a great sturgeon photo is to get in the water with the fish. In cold weather, this usually means having some waders handy. Keep water flowing over the gills at all times when removing the hook or snapping a picture.<br />
Don't tie the fish by the tail. A tail-roped fish can easily be injured, especially if it starts thrashing. The law requires a sturgeon to be immediately released upon landing it so don't hold the fish for any extended period of time.<br />
Revive a played-out fish by holding its mouth open in the current so water flows over its gills until it wants to swim away. A tired sturgeon will almost always remain calm when you hold them by the mouth upside down in the water. Keep your hands out of their gills at all times.