Rainbow Stocking Report - PDF file
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Windsor Nature Discovery
Anderson Ranch Reservoir
All the major ramps are still in the water as the reservoir levels continue to drop at only a few inches a day. Boat anglers are catching trout but fewer kokanee trolling with various pop gear. Bass fishing is still fair, and with cooler mountain temperatures the bass fishing has improved. The smallmouth bass are being picked up along the rocky shorelines; plastics and crankbaits will catch fish, and with cooler weather top water lures might work better later in the day on shady banks.
Boise River
The river flows are running just above normal for this time of year at about 800 cfs., give or take 50 cfs.. Fishing is still fair for trout, try salmon eggs, dry flies or small spinners, but a big juicy night crawler or dark colored leech fly pattern might catch just about anything.
Big Wood River
The river flows are actually hovering above normal which is still fairly low this time of year. With much cooler temperatures in the mountains, especially at night, the fishing can be dynamite and the fish should be hungriest from about midday through the afternoon, which is when most of the bugs will be coming off. Try PMD's and Pink Alberts, and there are still some hopper patterns that will work. This time of year you can also use a hopper dropper combination to catch a lot of fish. Some of the best flies to use include, #14-18 Parachute Adams, #16 Pink Alberts, and orange or yellow Stimulators in sizes # 14-16, and Pheasant Tail nymphs for droppers.
Brownlee Reservoir
The reservoir levels are slowly dropping and will be about 23-24 feet down by the weekend. The flows could however begin dropping daily, so check the levels before heading out, it could make a difference where you can launch a boat. Otherwise bank anglers are still a few nice sized crappie off rocky points and around deeper coves, in between storms that is, and they are also catching a lot of smaller bass. If you want to catch the bigger fish you need to fish early or later in the day, or go deeper during the day. The bass are mostly taking plastics but you might try a top water plug, or buzzbait, again, early or late in the day. Try jigs for crappie and nasty ole' stinkbait for the catfish, which are also still biting fairly well. Most of the boat ramps are still available except Holcomb Park, and Spring Camp is at its end, but the old ramp might still be usable depending on how much more it drops by this weekend.
Cascade Reservoir
Boat fishing has slowed for trollers who were picking up a few trout using Rapalas and small pop gear. Bait fishermen haven't been doing much better lately but some are still catching a few trout below the dam. Try worms, PowerBait or spinners. The best way to catch any perch is still from a boat jigging small jigs tipped with a worm but the fish are moving around trying to find their comfort zone. Kind of like us, and they're not having that much luck, kind of like us, so fishing has been slow. But you might still find some fish in shallow so look for them in 12-15 feet. The smallmouth bass are hanging off the long rocky points and still taking plastics and jerkbaits, and cooler weather should really be bringing the fish up to feed. I guess you just have to be there on the right day, and I suspect between now and Labor Day, will be about right.
C.J. Strike Reservoir
The crappie fishing is waning, especially compared to what is was earlier this summer, but some anglers are still catching enough fish for the freezer if you know where to look. Most of the crappie are hanging anywhere from 5-25 feet off steeper banks and over underwater humps and structure. The perch fishing is still slow but it should pick up and you can still catch a few in open water around 15 feet. The trout fishing is O.K., again if you can find them. The catfish are also taking a bit of a break but they're still there and you can catchem' if you try. The smallmouth bass is awesome, especially up the Bruneau and the Snake River, try plastics, crankbaits, jerkbaits, and even top water plugs are still working if used at the right time.
Deadwood Reservoir
The fishing here has been spotty to say the least, but one thing is for sure the scenery is terrific, and so is the fishing, just maybe not always the catching. Try trolling for rainbows and cutthroat using small spinners and pop gear.
High Mountain lakes and streams
Fishing in the high country is still hanging on. Some of the highest elevations received a little snow last week, but mostly the fish are filling their little bellies getting ready for a long winter. Just about anything will catch fish in the mountains so take your favorite flies, spinners, even small plugs, but be sure and check for special regulations on the particular body of water you are fishing, many of them have some restrictions.
Horsethief Reservoir
Bank anglers are catching a few trout as the weeds are starting to recede, and boat anglers are still catching some fish, and as things continue to cool off in the mountains the weeds will die off, and the fish will continue to move into shallower water. Boat anglers are trolling small pop gear, spinners and flies. Bank fishermen are still using worms, marshmallows and PowerBait. Fly fishermen are using Sheep Creek Specials or other minnow or small olive and black colored leech, nymph, or damsel patterns to catch fish.
Lake Lowell
Bass are still biting but this place can be dangerous in low water, especially around the middle portion of the lake. The reservoir levels are continuing to drop and is over 12 feet down. The only boat ramp available is the upper park ramp. Try pitchin' or buzzin' plastics and tossing spinnerbaits, or buzzbaits in and around the open pockets of remaining structure early or late in the day, then fish the deeper channels during the day with plastics. The catfish are still biting but not as well as earlier and the crappie and bluegill fishing is still slow.
Local Ponds
Most of the Treasure Valley's ponds are still producing a few trout, but most anglers are catching bass, bluegill and catfish. These little treasures are good places to wet a line if you can't get out of town. Check with the Fish & Game to find out which ones have been recently stocked. Wilson Ponds in Nampa are usually stocked the most often.
Lucky Peak
The reservoir is now really starting to drop so boat angling has really slowed between the dropping levels and passing fronts, and with fish moving to either spawn or find their comfort zone fishing has really dropped off. The smallmouth are biting on plastics, but finding them is even a chore. All of the boat ramps are still available.
Magic Reservoir
This little gem is back on our radar this late summer season because the fishing leading into fall can be terrific. The trout will be stirring and the perch are will be putting on the feed bag so don't overlook smaller reservoirs like this one. Bait and boat anglers can both expect some fair action in the coming weeks.
Middle Fork of the Boise River
The flows have come up a little bit with recent rains, but that shouldn't put the fishing off too much. Anglers are still catching plenty of fish and although most of the trout on the Middle Fork aren't very big, it's still a lot of fun to catch so many fish. You might catch some nicer fish along the North Fork, but you won't catch as many. Hoppers and black ants are still a good choice, like Humpys, Stimulators, and Wulffs will all work to catch fish. Spinners in the lower section of the river are also catching fish, but be sure you know about the special regulations along the Middle Fork above the confluence of the North Fork.
Mt. View Reservoir (Duck Valley)
Mountain View anglers have been successful, with a few 20 inchers being caught. Try night crawlers and marshmallows. Fish are from 13 to 20 inches in size, with most around 14 to 16 inches. Sheep Creek fishing has been active early in the day at this reservoir. Bait fishing is picking up….try night crawlers and orange/green powerbait for best results. Fishermen are reporting fish in the 13 to 18 inch range. Not much action on Billy Shaw. If you want to check the latest conditions call the Shoshone Paiute Tribal Office - Toll Free: (800) 761-9133.
Owyhee Reservoir
Crappie fishing is still so-so, depending on the weather, with most of the fish still being caught off wind swept banks with either large boulders, or on stepper banks and points and under docks. Folks are still catching bass, try fishing plastics in 10-15 feet, or deep diving crankbaits fished off big rocky points, rockslides or underwater humps. As the water temperatures continue to drop look for fish to stay shallow and begin to feed even more.
Owyhee River
The flows are still running between 180-200 cfs. Anglers are catching most of their fish on caddis and hoppers, but don't hesitate to try streamers early or late in the day. It's still best to fish the back alleys and out of the beaten path places to find the not so weary fish. The use of light long leaders also helps. Fish the shoots along cut banks if you can with hoppers and dries, or add an emerger as a dropper, and fish the riffles and tailouts into the pools.
Sage Hen
Anglers are still catching a few trout from shore and by boat, and cool weather in the mountains should only improve the catch rates. PowerBait and marshmallows for bait, spinners and small pop gear for trolling.
Silver Creek
Fishing is fair using PMD's, and callibaetis are still the best choices for the day, but don't forget about hoppers or cinnamon and black ants.
Snake River (C. J. Strike all the way to Oregon)
Fishing for smallmouth and catfish is still fairly good, but now the cooler nights has the moss starting to break up which can pose a lot of problems for bait fishermen. If you go try crawdad or minnow colored plastics for bass, and crickets, minnows, night crawlers, or Bowker's Catfish Bait for the cats.
South Fork of the Boise River
The flows are now running at about 600 cfs. which is the usual fall flow. It's still a great flow for boating but now the fish are accessible for waders. The fishing is still fair using Pink Cahills and a few caddis, but you can always try throwing a hopper. With crystal clear water conditions this time of year fishing can be challenging, so pay close attention the hatch, or do like me and use very light long leaders and your favorite fall flies and keep your eye on the price, it will happen quickly, and then they're gone.
Warm Lake
Boat anglers are catching most of the fish in between storms. A whole host of baits will work to catch fish, and trolling small spinners, Wedding Rings with bait, and even Rapalas with entice the most strikes.
Our fishing reports locations vary each week, but if there is a new lake, stream or river you would like to see on our fishing reports, . For more Fishing information in the Southwestern Region of Idaho and throughout the state, e-mail us at: askus@idfishnhunt.com
