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Idaho Fishing Reports
| Fishing Reports for Idaho. If you have a report for your area send it to us at reports@bobberstop.com. Please put "Fishing Report" in the subject line of your e-mail and please don't forget to include the location. |
** Last Update was made on 5 - 7 - 08 ***
IDAHO FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS.
PANHANDLE REGION - If you haven’t already done so, be sure to check the rules before you start
fishing. There have been numerous changes for the Panhandle Region. The most notable changes
are as follows:
Fishing for cutthroat trout has been changed to catch-and-release in the entire Spokane River
drainage, Lake Pend Oreille and Clark Fork River. These changes were made to increase the
number of big fish or to help protect their declining numbers.
The winter stream season has been extended this year allowing fishing (catch-and-release for trout)
in most of the major rivers from December 1 to Memorial Day weekend.
The bass regulations have also changed in the Panhandle. Bass fishing is now open year round in
all lakes except McArthur Lake. In addition, the general regulations have changed to 6 bass
(largemouth and smallmouth) of any size. Previously you could only keep bass larger than 12
inches. Exceptions to this exist in Anderson Lake, Blue Lake, Chase Lake, Hayden Lake, Pend
Oreille Lake, Pend Oreille River, and Robinson Lake where you can only keep two largemouth bass
over 16 inches in length.
Currently the Spokane River is running too high for good fishing but lakes in the area are doing well
for spiny rays and the smaller lakes are good for trout fishing. Fly fishermen on the smaller lakes
are using brown leeches and damsel fly nymphs. Most of the smaller, lowland lakes that are stocked
with rainbow trout have now been stocked, so with warmwater fish starting to become active and the
addition of hatchery fish, there’s a lot of good fishing in the small lakes.
It is time to start fishing some of the other creeks in the Sandpoint area that are open. Focus on
Pack River and Grouse Creek right now. The water jumped up over the weekend so more fish
should be moving into these systems. Beads and Glo Bugs are still a fly fisherman's best bet. The
Clark Fork is still fishing very well. Beads are working, unless you want to get down and dirty w/eggs,
more fish are also being caught on swung flies. Black/Purple is out-producing all others right now.
Biggest to land this season on fly is around 19lbs (36.5"); a real toad.
CLEARWATER REGION - 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.
SOUTHWEST REGION - 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.
Yellow perch have spawned and fishing for them has slowed. Bass are beginning to become more
active with warmer water, crappie fishing can be good but it is off and on. Trout fishing has been
good fishing bait off the bottom.
Snake River - Channel catfish: A few cats are beginning to show up near Loveridge Bridge but fish
are still few and far between.
Smallmouth Bass: Some nice bass 14-15 inches have been caught below CJ by perch fishermen.
For the time being, catch rates for bass seem to be better in the river than in the lake. Use the same
lures and techniques as mentioned above.
Sturgeon: Has been hit or miss lately. One angler will say the fishing is excellent, the next might ask
if there are any sturgeon left in the river. Patient folks should see a bite or two. Most anglers are
using pickled herring or whole five to six-inch crappie.
Boise River: Water is around 1,000 cfs and the river should be fishing well. Current flows will allow
stocking to continue as planned for the next month.
South Fork of the Boise River Anderson Ranch Dam downstream to Neal Bridge: Closed to fishing
until May 24.
Brownlee Reservoir: Fishing for smallmouth bass and crappie has been steadily improving. Look for
smallmouth near shore then move to deeper water (15-20 feet).
Reservoir level is down but predicted to begin rising in the coming weeks. Launch boats at
Woodhead, or on the Oregon side at Morgan Creek or the Cemetery access.
Lake Lowell: The lake opened to boats on April 15 and fishing is good for largemouth bass. Fish
jigs, crankbaits or spinner baits over or near the edge of the smart weed beds. Bluegill and catfish
fishing should pick up as the water warms over the next couple weeks. Remember bass fishing is
catch-and-release only until July 1 on Lake Lowell. All bass caught must be released immediately
back to the water. No bass may be in possession prior to July 1. The catch-and-release prohibition
also prohibits keeping bass in your live well for later release.
Lucky Peak Reservoir: Kokanee fishing and trout fishing has been good and should improve over
the next month.
Arrowrock Reservoir: No news is good news?
Boise Area Ponds: As the water warms bluegill will begin moving into the shallows. Try fishing small
curly tail jigs (1/4 to 1/32 oz) or small pieces of bait on size 10-12 hooks suspended under a bobber.
Ponds will be stocked monthly through June with rainbow trout.
McCALL REGION - Cascade Lake: Still frozen.
Little Salmon River: Still some pretty good success on steelhead, open until May 15 but water is
rising.
MAGIC VALLEY REGION - Lakes and reservoirs in the northern portion of the Magic Valley Region
are beginning to open up from winter. However, access still may be questionable on some waters
due to either ice or inaccessible roads. Spring runoff has yet to truly develop.
Little Camas Reservoir: Ice free and accessible. Hatchery trout were stocked the week of May 1.
Carey Lake: Fish are concentrated at the thermal spring inlet south of the boat launch area. Good
catch rates of bluegill, bass, and small yellow perch.
Thorn Creek Reservoir: Road still likely snow covered making access difficult. Not stocked.
Mormon Reservoir: Ice conditions unknown. Access unknown.
Magic Reservoir: Shoreline and some open water fishing have been great with 14-17 inch rainbow
trout being caught.
Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir: Completely open with boat access at the dam and at Gray’s Landing
(primitive shoreline boat launch). Anglers are reporting hit-and-miss fishing with 17-19 “ rainbow
trout (and some Henry’s Lake Hybrids) being caught fairly regularly from the shore, float tubes or
from boats. Walleye are starting to bite; however, they are mid-spawn and may be more difficult to
catch. No perch reports.
Riley Creek (below Riley Creek Falls): Good rainbow trout catch rates – some larger spawners close
to the mouth of Riley Creek.
Oakley Reservoir: Low water boat ramp open – water levels rising slowly. Moderate to good catch
rates of this years stocked trout with some carryover sized trout (16-17 inch). No walleye reports.
SOUTHEAST REGION - Most of the ice is finally off Southeast Region reservoirs, but Chesterfield
and Twenty-Four Mile are still partially covered in ice.
The open reservoirs, including Blackfoot, Daniels, Deep Creek, Devil Creek, Montpelier and
Weston, have turned over and are fishing better. Anglers report catching fish in Twin Lakes
Reservoir.
Good reports also are coming from the Willows on American Falls Reservoir. Dark patterns seem to
be working best, including leaches and streamers, and are bringing in big fish. Anglers are catching
fish from the bank and boats – trolling with Rapalas and fishing with nightcrawlers.
Anglers also report catching smallmouth bass at Sportsmen’s Park.
Most reservoirs are fishing well, with good reports from anglers using caddis flies and blue wing
olives.
The Portneuf River is rising, but it is the most dependable river for the moment. Whitewater releases
on weekends through July 15 can make fishing hard on the Bear River.
Anglers also are fishing the Snake River, and reporting good results at the Tilden Bridge. The river
is open above American Falls Dam and downstream of Eagle Rock. The reach between Eagle Rock
and American Falls Dam is closed.
But the Snake River is still too cold for fishing below Eagle Rock.
UPPER SNAKE REGION - Henrys Lake - opens for fishing on May 24th. Ice currently still covers the
lake, but we're starting to see some melt around the edges. As soon as the lake is ice free, the Fish
and Game will be conducting annual gill net surveys to evaluate the population trends.
The spring spawn take is completed and the fish ladder is closed. Employees and volunteers
trapped 5,159 cutthroat and took approximately 4.3 million eggs this year. The cutthroat trap
numbers were the best since 2001.
Henrys Fork Snake River - anglers are reporting fair catches of larger trout below Vernon Bridge
down to St. Anthony. Black rubber-legs, egg imitations and midge pupae seem to be producing the
most fish.
South Fork Snake River - Warm weather makes the fishing both pleasant and productive. The water
is clear, and anglers report fair catches of trout using small beadheads and midge flies. Low flows
are making boating difficult but you can wade in much of the river, which is rare. In the canyon
section, the nymphs and streamers are working quite well.
SALMON REGION - Steelhead fishing in the region is slowing down with anglers having spotty
success. Anglers report that the fish are doing a lot of swimming, but not much biting. Hot spots
around Sunbeam and near the mouth of the Pahsimeroi Riverare still giving anglers some good
fishing. Catch rates over the weekend are averaging 4 - 9 hours per fish caught and 16 - 35 hours
per fish kept. Water temperatures are between 45 - 48 degrees and the river is running cloudy in
most sections. Spring steelhead season in the Salmon Region closes April 30.
Mackay Reservoir is beginning to lose its ice with about a quarter of the ice off on the north end.
The remaining ice has many bubbles, cracks and fissures, and ice fishing is not recommended on
any area of the reservoir.
Report By: IFG
IDAHO FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS.
PANHANDLE REGION - If you haven’t already done so, be sure to check the rules before you start
fishing. There have been numerous changes for the Panhandle Region. The most notable changes
are as follows:
Fishing for cutthroat trout has been changed to catch-and-release in the entire Spokane River
drainage, Lake Pend Oreille and Clark Fork River. These changes were made to increase the
number of big fish or to help protect their declining numbers.
The winter stream season has been extended this year allowing fishing (catch-and-release for trout)
in most of the major rivers from December 1 to Memorial Day weekend.
The bass regulations have also changed in the Panhandle. Bass fishing is now open year round in
all lakes except McArthur Lake. In addition, the general regulations have changed to 6 bass
(largemouth and smallmouth) of any size. Previously you could only keep bass larger than 12
inches. Exceptions to this exist in Anderson Lake, Blue Lake, Chase Lake, Hayden Lake, Pend
Oreille Lake, Pend Oreille River, and Robinson Lake where you can only keep two largemouth bass
over 16 inches in length.
Currently the Spokane River is running too high for good fishing but lakes in the area are doing well
for spiny rays and the smaller lakes are good for trout fishing. Fly fishermen on the smaller lakes
are using brown leeches and damsel fly nymphs. Most of the smaller, lowland lakes that are stocked
with rainbow trout have now been stocked, so with warmwater fish starting to become active and the
addition of hatchery fish, there’s a lot of good fishing in the small lakes.
It is time to start fishing some of the other creeks in the Sandpoint area that are open. Focus on
Pack River and Grouse Creek right now. The water jumped up over the weekend so more fish
should be moving into these systems. Beads and Glo Bugs are still a fly fisherman's best bet. The
Clark Fork is still fishing very well. Beads are working, unless you want to get down and dirty w/eggs,
more fish are also being caught on swung flies. Black/Purple is out-producing all others right now.
Biggest to land this season on fly is around 19lbs (36.5"); a real toad.
CLEARWATER REGION - 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.
SOUTHWEST REGION - 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.
Yellow perch have spawned and fishing for them has slowed. Bass are beginning to become more
active with warmer water, crappie fishing can be good but it is off and on. Trout fishing has been
good fishing bait off the bottom.
Snake River - Channel catfish: A few cats are beginning to show up near Loveridge Bridge but fish
are still few and far between.
Smallmouth Bass: Some nice bass 14-15 inches have been caught below CJ by perch fishermen.
For the time being, catch rates for bass seem to be better in the river than in the lake. Use the same
lures and techniques as mentioned above.
Sturgeon: Has been hit or miss lately. One angler will say the fishing is excellent, the next might ask
if there are any sturgeon left in the river. Patient folks should see a bite or two. Most anglers are
using pickled herring or whole five to six-inch crappie.
Boise River: Water is around 1,000 cfs and the river should be fishing well. Current flows will allow
stocking to continue as planned for the next month.
South Fork of the Boise River Anderson Ranch Dam downstream to Neal Bridge: Closed to fishing
until May 24.
Brownlee Reservoir: Fishing for smallmouth bass and crappie has been steadily improving. Look for
smallmouth near shore then move to deeper water (15-20 feet).
Reservoir level is down but predicted to begin rising in the coming weeks. Launch boats at
Woodhead, or on the Oregon side at Morgan Creek or the Cemetery access.
Lake Lowell: The lake opened to boats on April 15 and fishing is good for largemouth bass. Fish
jigs, crankbaits or spinner baits over or near the edge of the smart weed beds. Bluegill and catfish
fishing should pick up as the water warms over the next couple weeks. Remember bass fishing is
catch-and-release only until July 1 on Lake Lowell. All bass caught must be released immediately
back to the water. No bass may be in possession prior to July 1. The catch-and-release prohibition
also prohibits keeping bass in your live well for later release.
Lucky Peak Reservoir: Kokanee fishing and trout fishing has been good and should improve over
the next month.
Arrowrock Reservoir: No news is good news?
Boise Area Ponds: As the water warms bluegill will begin moving into the shallows. Try fishing small
curly tail jigs (1/4 to 1/32 oz) or small pieces of bait on size 10-12 hooks suspended under a bobber.
Ponds will be stocked monthly through June with rainbow trout.
McCALL REGION - Cascade Lake: Still frozen.
Little Salmon River: Still some pretty good success on steelhead, open until May 15 but water is
rising.
MAGIC VALLEY REGION - Lakes and reservoirs in the northern portion of the Magic Valley Region
are beginning to open up from winter. However, access still may be questionable on some waters
due to either ice or inaccessible roads. Spring runoff has yet to truly develop.
Little Camas Reservoir: Ice free and accessible. Hatchery trout were stocked the week of May 1.
Carey Lake: Fish are concentrated at the thermal spring inlet south of the boat launch area. Good
catch rates of bluegill, bass, and small yellow perch.
Thorn Creek Reservoir: Road still likely snow covered making access difficult. Not stocked.
Mormon Reservoir: Ice conditions unknown. Access unknown.
Magic Reservoir: Shoreline and some open water fishing have been great with 14-17 inch rainbow
trout being caught.
Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir: Completely open with boat access at the dam and at Gray’s Landing
(primitive shoreline boat launch). Anglers are reporting hit-and-miss fishing with 17-19 “ rainbow
trout (and some Henry’s Lake Hybrids) being caught fairly regularly from the shore, float tubes or
from boats. Walleye are starting to bite; however, they are mid-spawn and may be more difficult to
catch. No perch reports.
Riley Creek (below Riley Creek Falls): Good rainbow trout catch rates – some larger spawners close
to the mouth of Riley Creek.
Oakley Reservoir: Low water boat ramp open – water levels rising slowly. Moderate to good catch
rates of this years stocked trout with some carryover sized trout (16-17 inch). No walleye reports.
SOUTHEAST REGION - Most of the ice is finally off Southeast Region reservoirs, but Chesterfield
and Twenty-Four Mile are still partially covered in ice.
The open reservoirs, including Blackfoot, Daniels, Deep Creek, Devil Creek, Montpelier and
Weston, have turned over and are fishing better. Anglers report catching fish in Twin Lakes
Reservoir.
Good reports also are coming from the Willows on American Falls Reservoir. Dark patterns seem to
be working best, including leaches and streamers, and are bringing in big fish. Anglers are catching
fish from the bank and boats – trolling with Rapalas and fishing with nightcrawlers.
Anglers also report catching smallmouth bass at Sportsmen’s Park.
Most reservoirs are fishing well, with good reports from anglers using caddis flies and blue wing
olives.
The Portneuf River is rising, but it is the most dependable river for the moment. Whitewater releases
on weekends through July 15 can make fishing hard on the Bear River.
Anglers also are fishing the Snake River, and reporting good results at the Tilden Bridge. The river
is open above American Falls Dam and downstream of Eagle Rock. The reach between Eagle Rock
and American Falls Dam is closed.
But the Snake River is still too cold for fishing below Eagle Rock.
UPPER SNAKE REGION - Henrys Lake - opens for fishing on May 24th. Ice currently still covers the
lake, but we're starting to see some melt around the edges. As soon as the lake is ice free, the Fish
and Game will be conducting annual gill net surveys to evaluate the population trends.
The spring spawn take is completed and the fish ladder is closed. Employees and volunteers
trapped 5,159 cutthroat and took approximately 4.3 million eggs this year. The cutthroat trap
numbers were the best since 2001.
Henrys Fork Snake River - anglers are reporting fair catches of larger trout below Vernon Bridge
down to St. Anthony. Black rubber-legs, egg imitations and midge pupae seem to be producing the
most fish.
South Fork Snake River - Warm weather makes the fishing both pleasant and productive. The water
is clear, and anglers report fair catches of trout using small beadheads and midge flies. Low flows
are making boating difficult but you can wade in much of the river, which is rare. In the canyon
section, the nymphs and streamers are working quite well.
SALMON REGION - Steelhead fishing in the region is slowing down with anglers having spotty
success. Anglers report that the fish are doing a lot of swimming, but not much biting. Hot spots
around Sunbeam and near the mouth of the Pahsimeroi Riverare still giving anglers some good
fishing. Catch rates over the weekend are averaging 4 - 9 hours per fish caught and 16 - 35 hours
per fish kept. Water temperatures are between 45 - 48 degrees and the river is running cloudy in
most sections. Spring steelhead season in the Salmon Region closes April 30.
Mackay Reservoir is beginning to lose its ice with about a quarter of the ice off on the north end.
The remaining ice has many bubbles, cracks and fissures, and ice fishing is not recommended on
any area of the reservoir.
Report By: IFG
