Fishing report: Spring crappie bite stays hot at reservoirs, rivers around Boise
It’s a great time to be an angler in southwestern Idaho. No matter what species you like to catch, options are plentiful right now — and you can’t beat the weather conditions (even if it rains a little). Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Crappie
These large panfish are one of Idaho’s most popular species, and with good reason. In addition to being excellent table fare, crappie live in huge schools and are often quite easy to catch once you locate them. This spring has been one of the better crappie seasons in recent memory — the fish go in cycles, and the size and numbers are both favorable this year.
Crappie are found in the Snake River and associated reservoirs, including Brownlee and C.J. Strike. A good keeper-sized fish is 10 to 12 inches, but they are capable of growing up to 16 inches. A boat with a fish finder is a huge help in locating of crappie, although some schools are close enough to shore for bank anglers to get in on the action (look for areas with steep drop-offs).
Small panfish jigs tipped with a crappie nibble or dead minnow are the go-to for most anglers. Crappie will also hit Rapalas, small crankbaits and small Ned Rig-style soft plastics.
Bass
Fishing continues to be good for both largemouth and smallmouth bass — my two most recent trips produced 20-plus largemouth in a small lake and a dozen smallies on the Snake River. In between, I’ve also caught some nice largemouth in local ponds on short outings with my daughter, Quinn.
Spinnerbaits, plastic worms, topwater frogs, swimbaits and jigs have been doing the trick on largemouth. A finesse jig was my top producer on smallmouth, although my partner and I also caught fish on tube jigs and a crayfish-pattern crankbait. A friendly reminder that big bass are relatively rare in Idaho, and since spring is their spawning season, catch-and-release is recommended.
Catfish
An often-overlooked species, catfish can provide a lot of fun for anglers. They are big, hard fighters and can be found in abundance across our region, especially channel catfish in the Snake River.
The fish are actively feeding as water temperatures warm, and they can be caught on worms, prepared dough baits, chicken livers, cut bait and shrimp. For my money, fresh cut bait from a sucker or pikeminnow is the best bet.
Look for catfish in slow-moving channels, eddies and pools. Larger, rarer flathead catfish are even more fun to catch if you can find them — Brownlee Reservoir and the Snake River immediately upstream of it are the best areas to look for flatheads.
Fishing classes resume
After a hiatus because of COVID-19, my Tight Lines 208 fishing classes are set to resume in June. First up is a new class, Trout of This World, on June 2. It is sold out, but email me to join the waiting list. And on June 23, I’ll teach All About That Bass, an in-depth look at bass fishing in our region (it sold out last year, so sign up ASAP!).
Classes are held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Boise Spectrum. I have upgraded to a larger room size, and we will have plenty of sanitizer on hand. I look forward to seeing you there. Tight lines!
Jordan Rodriguez has been fishing Idaho waters since he was a teen. Share your fish stories, adventures, tips and tricks with him at tightlinesboise@gmail.com or visit www.tightlines208.com.