08-09-2008, 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.
C.J. Strike Reservoir
Idaho Power continues construction work on some of its facilities at the reservoir; work that will go on for at least a year in some cases. Anglers will find temporary closures in several areas as work proceeds, so have a little patience. After the work is finished, the area should be an even better place. C.J. Strike Construction Information
* Yellow Perch - Fishing for yellow perch is poor. Most people wanting perch soon decide to fish for crappie. Very few perch are being caught.
* Smallmouth bass - Fishing is good, picking up after a relatively slow month of June. Anglers need to focus on rocky shorelines in the early morning and late evening hours. The best fish are being caught between 5:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., and between 7:30 p.m.and sundown. A lot of fish can be caught between the best times, the tradeoff is that they will be smaller. Use plastic baits (tubes, grubs, etc) or crankbaits in dark colors. Topwater plugs are producing some nice fish early and late.<br />
* Rainbows - The hotspots continue to be below the dam near the turbine outlets and from the dam on the lake side near the turbine inlets - just upstream from the cable barrier. Worms fished on the bottom seem to be the best bait. The best fishing has been early in the morning (sunrise to 9:00 AM) upstream of the dam, and below the turbine outlets in the early AM and after sundown.<br />
* Bluegill - A few are being caught in the coves of the lake throughout the day and evenings, use worms below a small float.<br />
* Crappie - Running on the small side (9-10 inches) but are still providing fast action all over the reservoir. Jig color and fishing depth seem to make little difference. Fish the rocky points and coves in the Snake Arm. Last week, a red and white jig and caught a fish about every cast. If you are going to fish off a boat dock, please give approaching boats room to load and unload.<br />
* Catfish - The Bruneau Arm is producing a few good cats but the fishing action has been a little spotty. The most consistent fishing has been near the mouth of Jacks Creek. The biggest cat seen lately was about seven pounds.
And remember: a two-pole validation is $43.25 cheaper than a citation.<br />
Snake River
* Catfishing has been outstanding recently. Cut bait and worms are both catching fish. Anglers heading to the river upstream from CJ Strike should be prepared for a lot of weeds in the river and swarms of mosquitoes. Fighting the weeds and bug bites should be worth your effort, some of the best catfish have come from the Loveridge Bridge area.<br />
* Smallmouth bass - Some lunker bass have been caught below CJ Strike Dam and around Loveridge Bridge this summer. Use the same lures and techniques as mentioned above.<br />
* Sturgeon below CJ Strike Dam - A little hit and miss lately, the best fishing has been when two turbines are running. Most anglers are using pieces of fresh crappie for bait. Stainless steel hooks and braided line last a LONG TIME after they are lost in a snag or a fish. Please leave braided line and stainless hooks at home.
Other Waters
Bruneau Sand Dunes - Bluegill fishing has been good in the late evenings.
Brownlee Reservoir - Crappie and catfish are providing the best action here. Most catfish action is on worms or cut bait. Smallmouth bass are showing some size this year.
Crane Falls - Bluegill fishing is fair in the evenings. Please remember that all bass must be 20 inches or longer to keep in Crane Falls.
Lake Lowell - Lake Lowell has been fishing well for largemouth, fish near the edges of cover.
Arrowrock Reservoir - Warm weather is putting the brakes on the Arrowrock fishery but it should improve when weather cools in the fall.
Lucky Peak Reservoir - Lucky Peak kokanee fishing is still holding on well and should remain good until the fish begin to mature and start staging prior to spawning in late August-September.
South Fork of the Boise River and Middle Fork Boise - Weather's hot and so is the action on hopper imitations. Anglers are seeing some of the best days of their year right now.
Boise Area Ponds - Trout stocking on low elevation ponds has been halted until temperatures cool enough to allow survival of hatchery rainbow. Anglers can still find warmwater fish including bluegill, bass and catfish in many of these local ponds.
1. Check out our Southwest Region Family Fishing Waters - North [PDF, 542 KB] and Southwest Region Family Fishing Waters - South programs [PDF, 493 KB], with family-oriented fishing opportunities and simplified rules.<br />
2. Anglers must have a valid 2008 license and are reminded to check the 2008 fishing rules brochure for any restrictions and limits.
C.J. Strike Reservoir
Idaho Power continues construction work on some of its facilities at the reservoir; work that will go on for at least a year in some cases. Anglers will find temporary closures in several areas as work proceeds, so have a little patience. After the work is finished, the area should be an even better place. C.J. Strike Construction Information
* Yellow Perch - Fishing for yellow perch is poor. Most people wanting perch soon decide to fish for crappie. Very few perch are being caught.
* Smallmouth bass - Fishing is good, picking up after a relatively slow month of June. Anglers need to focus on rocky shorelines in the early morning and late evening hours. The best fish are being caught between 5:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., and between 7:30 p.m.and sundown. A lot of fish can be caught between the best times, the tradeoff is that they will be smaller. Use plastic baits (tubes, grubs, etc) or crankbaits in dark colors. Topwater plugs are producing some nice fish early and late.<br />
* Rainbows - The hotspots continue to be below the dam near the turbine outlets and from the dam on the lake side near the turbine inlets - just upstream from the cable barrier. Worms fished on the bottom seem to be the best bait. The best fishing has been early in the morning (sunrise to 9:00 AM) upstream of the dam, and below the turbine outlets in the early AM and after sundown.<br />
* Bluegill - A few are being caught in the coves of the lake throughout the day and evenings, use worms below a small float.<br />
* Crappie - Running on the small side (9-10 inches) but are still providing fast action all over the reservoir. Jig color and fishing depth seem to make little difference. Fish the rocky points and coves in the Snake Arm. Last week, a red and white jig and caught a fish about every cast. If you are going to fish off a boat dock, please give approaching boats room to load and unload.<br />
* Catfish - The Bruneau Arm is producing a few good cats but the fishing action has been a little spotty. The most consistent fishing has been near the mouth of Jacks Creek. The biggest cat seen lately was about seven pounds.
And remember: a two-pole validation is $43.25 cheaper than a citation.<br />
Snake River
* Catfishing has been outstanding recently. Cut bait and worms are both catching fish. Anglers heading to the river upstream from CJ Strike should be prepared for a lot of weeds in the river and swarms of mosquitoes. Fighting the weeds and bug bites should be worth your effort, some of the best catfish have come from the Loveridge Bridge area.<br />
* Smallmouth bass - Some lunker bass have been caught below CJ Strike Dam and around Loveridge Bridge this summer. Use the same lures and techniques as mentioned above.<br />
* Sturgeon below CJ Strike Dam - A little hit and miss lately, the best fishing has been when two turbines are running. Most anglers are using pieces of fresh crappie for bait. Stainless steel hooks and braided line last a LONG TIME after they are lost in a snag or a fish. Please leave braided line and stainless hooks at home.
Other Waters
Bruneau Sand Dunes - Bluegill fishing has been good in the late evenings.
Brownlee Reservoir - Crappie and catfish are providing the best action here. Most catfish action is on worms or cut bait. Smallmouth bass are showing some size this year.
Crane Falls - Bluegill fishing is fair in the evenings. Please remember that all bass must be 20 inches or longer to keep in Crane Falls.
Lake Lowell - Lake Lowell has been fishing well for largemouth, fish near the edges of cover.
Arrowrock Reservoir - Warm weather is putting the brakes on the Arrowrock fishery but it should improve when weather cools in the fall.
Lucky Peak Reservoir - Lucky Peak kokanee fishing is still holding on well and should remain good until the fish begin to mature and start staging prior to spawning in late August-September.
South Fork of the Boise River and Middle Fork Boise - Weather's hot and so is the action on hopper imitations. Anglers are seeing some of the best days of their year right now.
Boise Area Ponds - Trout stocking on low elevation ponds has been halted until temperatures cool enough to allow survival of hatchery rainbow. Anglers can still find warmwater fish including bluegill, bass and catfish in many of these local ponds.
1. Check out our Southwest Region Family Fishing Waters - North [PDF, 542 KB] and Southwest Region Family Fishing Waters - South programs [PDF, 493 KB], with family-oriented fishing opportunities and simplified rules.<br />
2. Anglers must have a valid 2008 license and are reminded to check the 2008 fishing rules brochure for any restrictions and limits.