Colder weather has arrived in earnest, and some anglers are putting their gear away for the season. But there are still some great fishing options available for those willing to bundle up and get after it! As you plan your upcoming trips, here are a few ideas to get you started:
C.J. Strike Reservoir (Mixed Bag)
The panfish bite has been good to excellent at C.J. Strike. Crappie are found in massive schools this time of year—look for them in 25-to-50 feet of water around offshore humps or submerged shoreline points. The crappie in C.J. aren’t giants, but most are big enough for the frying pan (8-to-10 inches). Vertical jigging with ultralight tackle and small panfish jigs is the ticket. Don’t overlook perch and bluegill, which are often found mixed in with (or right underneath) the crappie. Trout fishing has been good, too. Target them by trolling with spoons, crankbaits, pop gear, or soaking bait from shore. Bass fishing is slowing down, but fish can still be caught deep with drop shot rigs or near shorelines with crankbaits and jerk baits, especially on warm afternoons. Oftentimes, vertical panfish jigging yields a mixed bag of species. On a recent trip, my buddy Caleb and I caught dozens of crappie, a handful of nice perch, some small bass, two rainbow trout and two giant bluegill. A word to the wise on panfish jigging—if the panfish are located deeper than 25 feet (and many are), it will be difficult to release them successfully (they often aren’t able to swim back down). Once you have enough for a meal, you may want to switch over to trout fishing. Note: The North Park campground and adjacent boat ramps are closed for renovations.
Boise River (Trout)
Trout fishing has been very good on the Boise River this month. The flows are low and slow, which usually means finesse presentations are key. Spinners and Rapalas might get eaten, but you’re likely to find more success drift fishing with a nymph pattern, a jig-and-bobber, or a small piece of bait. I’ve seen some decent topwater insect hatches happening, too, especially on warm days in the late afternoon. Most of my recent catches have been rainbow trout in the 12-to-16-inch range, with occasional bigger fish mixed in. Brown trout and mountain whitefish are also possible. I recommend practicing catch-and-release on browns this time of year, as it’s their spawning season. Lastly, Idaho Fish & Game hasn’t made an official announcement yet, but some hatchery steelhead are likely on their way to the Boise River soon. This annual tradition attracts a ton of anglers. Avoid fishing near the stocking points if crowds aren’t your thing, or grab a steelhead permit and get in on the action!
Payette River (Trout)
The Payette River is an often-overlooked fishery, but it can provide great trout fishing, especially during the low-water months of fall and winter. Look for deep plunge pools and current seams, and be prepared to do some hiking between spots this time of year, as there is a lot of skinny water that won’t hold many fish. Top tackle choices include rainbow trout and crayfish pattern crankbaits, streamer patterns, worms and shrimp. Dress warm—it gets chilly up the Highway 55 corridor. Tight lines!