05-06-2008, 11:10 AM
This report highlights a few of the best places to fish, what anglers are using and what they are catching. The information is compiled from regional Fish and Game fishery managers, local tackle shops and anglers. Other general regional information is available below.
Chinook Salmon: The salmon fishing frenzy hasn't reached Lewiston yet. However, fishing success is expected to pick up the next few weeks, with excellent fishing expected through June if anglers follow the migration upstream. Like during the spring steelhead season, the towns of Orofino, Kooskia, Kamiah, and Riggins are considered "Chinook Central" during late May and early June during a good run.
Snake River: Bass anglers are beginning to catch some very nice smallmouth (1-4lb range) taking bait, baited jigs, and crankbaits on the Snake above Lewiston. Anglers fishing in 10 to 12 feet of water near rocky structure are doing the best. Catfish in the 3 to 8-pound range are also starting to bite on bait such as nightcrawlers, stink-bait and power-bait. No boat - no worries. The levees near Lewiston offer great places to catfish from shore.
Sturgeon: Fishing for sturgeon will pick up with warmer, muddy water. Sturgeon anglers should practice low-impact techniques that include pinching hook barbs down, using circle-hooks instead of J-hooks and never remove sturgeon from the water. All sturgeon caught in Idaho must be released immediately.
Lowland Lakes: Fishing will only get better as the water temperature rise. Anglers using jigs at Mann Lake near Lewiston are reporting catching a few largemouth bass along the rocky dam. Catfishing is also picking up with several anglers reporting nice catches of 2-7lb fish. However, rainbow trout, crappie and bluegill fishing will pick up with the warmer weather.
Most area lakes and reservoirs are now stocked with catchable rainbow trout. These include Mann Lake near Lewiston, Winchester Lake near Winchester, Waha Lake and Soldiers Meadow Reservoir near Waha, Spring Valley Reservoir near Troy, Moose Creek Reservoir near Bovill, and Elk Creek Reservoir near Elk River.
Kokanee: The best kokanee fishing on Dworshak Reservoir is usually in April, May and June, with most of the action occurring between the dam and Dent Bridge. Anglers with boats are reminded that water levels are usually down 60 feet this time of year, but will rise to nearly full pool by June.
Kokanee numbers are down, so sizes are up, averaging 10-12inches. Boat anglers trolling slowly with weighted line or 1-3oz weights with standard spinner-gear with hooks baited with maggots or corn are reporting fair catches. Rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing is also picking up, especially at mouths of tributary streams. Bass anglers will continue to do better with the onset of warmer weather.
Steelhead: The Little Salmon River near Riggins is still providing great steelhead action (season closes May 15). This section is for bank anglers only. Drifting baited corky rigs is the preferred method. With the changing weather, both the water level and clarity fluctuates. The waters are running high and muddy.
Chinook Salmon: The salmon fishing frenzy hasn't reached Lewiston yet. However, fishing success is expected to pick up the next few weeks, with excellent fishing expected through June if anglers follow the migration upstream. Like during the spring steelhead season, the towns of Orofino, Kooskia, Kamiah, and Riggins are considered "Chinook Central" during late May and early June during a good run.
Snake River: Bass anglers are beginning to catch some very nice smallmouth (1-4lb range) taking bait, baited jigs, and crankbaits on the Snake above Lewiston. Anglers fishing in 10 to 12 feet of water near rocky structure are doing the best. Catfish in the 3 to 8-pound range are also starting to bite on bait such as nightcrawlers, stink-bait and power-bait. No boat - no worries. The levees near Lewiston offer great places to catfish from shore.
Sturgeon: Fishing for sturgeon will pick up with warmer, muddy water. Sturgeon anglers should practice low-impact techniques that include pinching hook barbs down, using circle-hooks instead of J-hooks and never remove sturgeon from the water. All sturgeon caught in Idaho must be released immediately.
Lowland Lakes: Fishing will only get better as the water temperature rise. Anglers using jigs at Mann Lake near Lewiston are reporting catching a few largemouth bass along the rocky dam. Catfishing is also picking up with several anglers reporting nice catches of 2-7lb fish. However, rainbow trout, crappie and bluegill fishing will pick up with the warmer weather.
Most area lakes and reservoirs are now stocked with catchable rainbow trout. These include Mann Lake near Lewiston, Winchester Lake near Winchester, Waha Lake and Soldiers Meadow Reservoir near Waha, Spring Valley Reservoir near Troy, Moose Creek Reservoir near Bovill, and Elk Creek Reservoir near Elk River.
Kokanee: The best kokanee fishing on Dworshak Reservoir is usually in April, May and June, with most of the action occurring between the dam and Dent Bridge. Anglers with boats are reminded that water levels are usually down 60 feet this time of year, but will rise to nearly full pool by June.
Kokanee numbers are down, so sizes are up, averaging 10-12inches. Boat anglers trolling slowly with weighted line or 1-3oz weights with standard spinner-gear with hooks baited with maggots or corn are reporting fair catches. Rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing is also picking up, especially at mouths of tributary streams. Bass anglers will continue to do better with the onset of warmer weather.
Steelhead: The Little Salmon River near Riggins is still providing great steelhead action (season closes May 15). This section is for bank anglers only. Drifting baited corky rigs is the preferred method. With the changing weather, both the water level and clarity fluctuates. The waters are running high and muddy.