Idaho fishing report: Here’s where the fish are biting near Boise as summer approaches
Fishing season is really hitting its stride across southern Idaho. With nice weather settling in and more water than we’ve had in recent years, there are plenty of options for anglers to choose from. As you plan your upcoming trips, here a few ideas to get you started:
Bass
Large reservoirs like Brownlee and C.J. Strike have been fishing well for anglers throwing crankbaits, jerk baits and other reaction lures. Lake Lowell is full and anglers are catching largemouth by flipping and pitching soft plastics around submerged vegetation. The Snake River is fishing well for smallmouth, with anglers using crankbaits, jigs, plastics and topwater plugs.
Local ponds hold some of the biggest bass in our region. These fish are smart and see a lot of pressure, but patient anglers can sometimes fool one with a finesse jig, swimbait or drop shot. If you catch a big bass this time of year, please handle it carefully and release it so the fish can finish spawning!
Panfish
The crappie bite has been good at C.J. Strike, with anglers picking up lots of keeper-sized fish. Vertical jigging with small panfish jigs and trolling with jigs or crankbaits are both effective strategies. Expect to fish with a crowd, especially on the weekends.
Owyhee Reservoir offers lights-out crappie fishing. The fish are smaller than C.J., but so are the crowds. Don’t forget your Oregon license.
The ice is off at Lake Cascade, and anglers are catching perch (and smallmouth) on crankbaits, jigs and blade baits. Many local ponds have good populations of bluegill (and sometimes crappie). Micro jigs or a live worm are usually the ticket for bluegill.
Trout/kokanee
Mountain View Reservoir on the Duck Valley Reservation has been fishing well for anglers trolling with spoons and dodgers, casting spinners and bait from shore, or fly-fishing from a float tube. Horsethief Reservoir near Cascade is a fun place to chase rainbows using bait, flies, spinners or trolling rigs.
Trout are plentiful in the Hagerman Valley, where fishing opportunities abound in the Snake River and the State Hatchery’s maze of stocked ponds and creeks. Treasure Valley ponds have been stocked with thousands of rainbows this spring, too.
The kokanee bite has been spotty at Lucky Peak, Arrowrock and Anderson Ranch. Anglers are picking up some fish trolling in the top 20 feet of water. Fishing should improve as the water clears up from all the spring runoff.
The Boise River is running really high — I would focus my efforts elsewhere for now. Have fun and be safe out there. Tight lines!
Jordan Rodriguez has been fishing Idaho waters since he was a teen. Share your fish stories, adventures and questions with him at tightlinesboise@gmail.com, or visit www.tightlines208.com for the latest local fishing reports and upcoming class offerings.
