Idaho fishing report: Here’s a look at what’s biting in local waters as we near July
Springlike conditions are persisting across southern Idaho, with lots of wind, rain and storms in the mix. The hit-or-miss weather can make it hard to plan trips, but the fishing has been good when Mother Nature cooperates. As you plan your next outing, here’s a quick look at where the fish are biting:
Kokanee
The summer kokanee bite is turning on at all four of our regional fisheries: Lucky Peak, Arrowrock, Anderson Ranch and Payette Lake. Most fish have been shallow (in the top 20 feet of water) thus far, but they will head deeper as things warm up. Preferred depths vary due to differing water temperatures and clarity.
I’ve caught fish long-lining, down-rigging and using leaded line. Pink and orange trolling rigs tipped with corn have been my best producers, but it’s really been a mixed bag as far as what lures the fish are hitting. The size on this year’s class of fish is good, with lots of 14- to 17-inch keepers. I’ve also caught several giants up to three pounds, which is always a fun surprise!
Bass
Fishing is settling in after a cool and unpredictable spring. For the boat crowd, the bite has picked up at Lake Lowell, where flipping and pitching for largemouth in heavy cover is the top strategy; as well as at C.J. Strike and Brownlee, where smallmouth are the primary catches on jigs, Ned Rigs, swimbaits and crankbaits.
If you’re on foot, the Snake River is the best bet for smallmouth, while largemouth are plentiful in local ponds as well as smaller lakes like Crane Falls and Cove Arm. Weedless soft plastics, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwater lures are my go-to summer bass presentations.
Trout
With the Boise River still running high, lakes remain best for trout fishing right now. Trolling near the dam at C.J. Strike with spoons or pop gear is often productive, and all three lakes on the Duck Valley Reservation have been fishing well, too. Trolling from a boat or fly-fishing with leech patterns from a float tube are reliable methods at Duck Valley. To our north, Horsethief Reservoir is fishing well for stocked rainbows.
Spinners and bait from shore, flies from a float tube or pop gear and Rapalas from a boat often catch a limit.
Panfish
Fishing has been decent for crappie, perch and bluegill (in that order) at C.J. Strike. Panfish jigs tipped with worms or crappie nibbles work for all three species; trolling with crankbaits is a good way to target scattered crappie, too.
The perch bite is starting to slow down at Lake Cascade, but diligent anglers are still finding some schools and catching them on drop shot presentations. Smaller lakes and ponds are entering summer conditions, which means the bite should be good — especially for bluegill — until the weeds get too heavy. A pond panfish bite is great for kids, even if the fish are small.
Fishing Fun for Kids
Speaking of kids, my next Tight Lines 208 fishing class is Fishing Fun for Kids, happening July 18 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Boise Spectrum. This class will teach kids (and parents!) how to make awesome fishing memories in Idaho’s great outdoors. To register, visit www.tightlines208.com.
Enjoy these first days of summer, and stay 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.
