Magic Valley Region Fishing Information

Weekly Fishing Report

Updated: June 18, 2008

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.

Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Kokanee are starting to stage in the upper ¼ of the reservoir (Lime Creek area). Anglers report high catch rates of small kokanee (7-9 inches). Reservoir is 98% full with all boat ramps open. Trout fishing is slow

Anderson Ponds/West Highway Pond (Hagerman Wildlife WMA): Opening day was relatively slow. Anglers caught largemouth bass typically in the 13-15 inch range with some large fish over 20 inches. Bluegill fishing was slow.

Big Wood River: Generally not a lot of fishing pressure. Water levels are still high compared to last few years. Anglers report good catch rates early morning before the flows increase bringing slightly colored water with it.

Carey Lake: Recent reports indicate catch rates are poor for bass and bluegill. Vegetation is getting heavy.

Lake Cleveland: Opened last week. Campground may still have snow drifts but the road is open. No recent fishing reports.

Little Camas Reservoir: Anglers are catching this year's stocked trout. IDFG has tagged trout in this reservoir. Please take notice of signs that direct anglers to deposit a portion of the head into a box if the fish has an adipose fin removed.

Magic Reservoir: Typically fishing tends to slow in July and August however, some anglers were still catching large trout from the shoreline, trolling, and float tubes. Reservoir levels are dropping making the Reservoir upstream from Lava Point shallow so anglers should be cautious on the northern portion of the reservoir.

Oakley Reservoir: No recent walleye reports. Some anglers report decent catch rates of 8-10 trout with the occasional larger fish.

Riley Creek (below Riley Creek Falls): Good rainbow trout catch rates - some larger spawners close to the mouth of Riley Creek.

Roseworth Reservoir: Anglers report good catch rates of trout 10-12 inches long. Shoreline anglers were doing well particularly early during morning and evening hours. Boat ramp is still open.

Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir: Great catch rates of walleye from 14-18 inches long. Most anglers are concentrating in the upper portion of the reservoir above Grays Landing. Trout fishing has been spotty - relative slow from the shore but good to excellent for anglers trolling or concentrating in the upper reservoir. Algae levels are increasing but not impacting fishing.

Silver Creek: Brown drake hatch fading if not gone. Most anglers are concentrating on the TNC Silver Creek Preserve and are reporting decent catch rates of 9-14 inch rainbow trout. Evening anglers are targeting brown trout in the lower portion of the river in the deep holes - consider dark colored wooly bugger (or other leech patterns) in the deep holes.

Thorn Creek Reservoir: The reservoir did not reach full pool. Has been stocked with rainbow trout. Please take notice of signs that direct anglers to deposit a portion of the head into a box if the fish has an adipose fin removed.

Check out our Magic Valley Region Family Fishing Waters program [PDF, 463 KB], with family-oriented fishing opportunities and simplified rules.
Anglers must have a valid 2008 license and are reminded to check the 2008 fishing rules brochure for any restrictions and limits.

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Fish Stocking Information | Find a stream or plan a fishing trip here: Fishing Planner

General Regional Information - Spring 2008

Many of the regions reservoirs were stocked in the fall. See the fish stocking information for reservoir and stream fisheries throughout the state.

Warmer days indicate the time for spring fishing is here. Ice is off the lakes and reservoirs in the Magic Valley Region. Cool spring water temperatures mean good conditions for reservoir trout fishing. Expect warm water fisheries to pick up in late spring and early summer. Fish stocking generally picks-up in late April and early May. Current stocking records for reservoir and stream fisheries throughout the state can be viewed on the IDFG website. Fishing regulations should be consulted prior to fishing any water as regulations may vary by location.

Rivers and Streams

Most rivers and streams in the region fall under the general stream season and are closed until the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, May 24th. However, the Snake River is open year round with fishing opportunities including trout, bass, catfish and carp. Year round angling opportunities also exist on the Little Wood River.

Near average snow pack levels in most of the region are a good indication many rivers and streams will be running high during the early stream season.

Lakes and Reservoirs

Popular lake and reservoir spring fisheries in the region include: Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir, Roseworth Reservoir (Cedar Creek), Magic Reservoir, Oakley Reservoir (Goose Creek), and Lake Walcott. Rainbow trout are the primary target for most spring lake and reservoir anglers. Trout angling techniques vary by species and water condition. Boat anglers commonly troll spoons, spinners, flies, or pop gear. Bank anglers typically fish worms and power bait on the bottom, suspended from the bottom, or suspended from a bobber. Fly anglers use a variety of flies representing fish, midges, leeches, mayflies, and other aquatic insects.

Ice is coming slowly on many regional reservoirs. As of 3/21/08 Salmon Falls Creek Reserovir, Oakley Reservoir, and Magic Reservoir all have patchy ice remaining.

The list of waters below will give you an idea of what ice fishing opportunities exist at various reservoirs:

Little Camas Reservoir - rainbow trout (10 - 14 in). Little Camas experienced extreme draw down last fall. Angler catches will primarily be from spring trout stocking.
Little Wood Reservoir - rainbow trout (10 - 14 in)
Fish Creek Reservoir - rainbow trout (10 - 12), brook trout present, Fish Creek Reservoir was dry in 2007. Angler catches will primarily be from spring trout stocking.
Magic Reservoir - perch (6 - 14 in), rainbow trout (14 - 20 in), occasional brown trout
Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir - perch (6 - 12 in), rainbow trout (12 - 16 in) with occasional larger fish, walleye (good numbers, but difficult to catch), crappie present
Thorn Creek Reservoir - rainbow trout (14 -16 in)

White Sturgeon

Both the Snake and lower Salmon rivers offer one of the most unique freshwater fishing experiences you can have anywhere: fishing for white sturgeon. Sturgeon can be caught all year since there is currently no set sturgeon fishing season.

Catch and release fishing for sturgeon continues to be more popular in Idaho every year. As the number of anglers increases, so does the importance of treating hooked fish properly to insure their survival. If you decide to try your hand at this exciting sport, please use the following tips to ensure you are practicing "low-impact" sturgeon fishing and treating these ancient fish with the respect they deserve:

Hook 'Em Right: (Keep the fish from swallowing the hook)

Use non-offset circle hooks-sizes 7/0 to 13/0. Non-offset circle hooks offer a tremendous advantage over traditional J-hooks because fish are almost never hooked deeply when using them. An additional advantage of these hooks is that fish rarely become unhooked during the fight. Circle hooks are very different than J-hooks and require a couple of different techniques to hook a sturgeon. First, let the fish mouth the bait a few seconds longer than you would with a J-hook, and second, don't set the hook. Instead, simply start reeling until you come tight on the fish. The hook will catch on the corner of the mouth as you smoothly tighten the line. For those not yet ready to make the switch to circle hooks, it is especially critical to hook the fish quickly before it has a chance to swallow the bait.
Pinch the barb-(It’s the law). Pinch the barb down on your hook to ease hook removal and minimize the damage to a sturgeon's fleshy mouth.
Rig it right. Tie your sinker to a dropper line on a sliding swivel (avoid 3-way swivels), using at least ten pound test lighter line than your main line. This will minimize the chances of leaving a baited hook rig snagged to the bottom if you break off. We suspect that this "ghost gear" is getting to be a real problem in some popular fishing holes.

Play 'Em Fast: (Avoid overstressing the fish during the fight)

50-80 lb test monofilament lines are preferred over the superbraid lines because monofilament has much higher abrasion resistance and its thicker diameter is less likely to cut into a fish's body. Additionally, monofilament's stretch makes it much more forgiving when fighting large fish. If you insist on using the superbraids, please use at least 120 to 150lb class lines.
Use heavy gear properly sized to fight powerful fish weighing up to 400 pounds and land the fish as quickly as possible. Lactic acid can build up in the fish's muscles during long fights. A good sturgeon reel needs to be very well built, have a very smooth drag, and hold at least 250 yards of the proper line.
Choose your fishing spot carefully. Be realistic about the chances of landing a large sturgeon when choosing a fishing hole, especially when fishing without a boat. Ask yourself if you will be able to follow the fish if it leaves the hole. Try to avoid having to tell the story of being spooled, leaving 200 yards or more of expensive line hooked to a fish.

Release 'Em Easy: (Ensure the fish will survive to fight another day)

Keep the fish in the water-(It’s the law). Don't pull the fish up on the rocks for a photo. Pulling the fish on the rocks will remove the fish's layer of protective mucous and often will open cuts in the fish's skin, which can lead the way to an infection. The best way to get a great sturgeon photo is to get in the water with the fish. In cold weather, this usually means having some waders handy. Keep water flowing over the gills at all times when removing the hook or snapping a picture.
Don’t tie the fish by the tail. A tail-roped fish can easily be injured, especially if it starts thrashing. The law requires a sturgeon to be immediately released upon landing it so don't hold the fish for any extended period of time.
Revive a played-out fish by holding its mouth open in the current so water flows over its gills until it wants to swim away. A tired sturgeon will almost always remain calm when you hold them by the mouth upside down in the water. Keep your hands out of their gills at all times.