Winter Fishing Report

Reports have been few through the winter but some anglers are finding fish, particularly at C.J. Strike. Sloppy conditions have made ice fishing tough in many locations.

Boise River flows have fluctuated a little through the winter but have been mostly low. Anglers are targeting planted rainbow, brown trout and whitefish with flies, lures and bait.

Trout anglers are smiling. Fishing has been good for rainbows from 14-19 inches, both from the bank and boats. Most bank anglers are using worms and marshmallows fished on the bottom. The hotspots for bank anglers are from the dam on the lake side near the turbine intake, on the north side of the dam near the Idaho Power North Park and below the dam anywhere between the turbines and the bridge. Fishing has been generally good anywhere from the bank where there is a sand or gravel bottom. Bank anglers have been having the best luck between sunrise and 10 a.m. and between 3 p.m. and dark.

Anglers wanting to fish fro, boats should troll small Rapal-type lures, preferably in gold or green. Anyone fishing from a boat should dress for the cold. Troll lures within six feet of the surface. Anglers still seem to be confused about all the fish tagging projects; remember that Idaho Power has informational signs (with a phone number to report rainbow tags) posted around the reservoir at all the boat ramps.

Consistent catches of yellow perch are rare. Use small pieces of cut bait and to fish close to the bottom in 15-20 feet of water. The perch have been running about 10 inches on the average. Bank anglers should have the best luck fishing off the spillway.

Crappie are likely one of the best things going at the lake right now. One boat checked by Fish and Game recently had been out for about three hours and they had kept about 30 crappie ranging from 11-11.75 inches. Their catch was no fluke, the area they caught them had about five other boats doing the same. The crappie can be found on the west end of the narrows, near the power line. The crappie can be found suspended in about 20-30 feet of water. A fish finder should make finding them relatively easy. Some anglers have indicated that they needed to watch their fish finders closely to help them stay on top of the slowly moving schools of fish. Anglers are using standard crappie jigs; color seems to make little difference.

Trout stocking is beginning again where conditions permit. Remember that early season fishing can be some of the best of the year. Stocking will be discontinued once summer temperatures make these waters too warm for trout to survive. See the Family Fishing Waters section to find the nearest pond.