BOISE, Idaho — Fall fishing is officially upon us! That means chilly mornings and early sunsets, but in between, there is usually some bluebird weather to enjoy. That’s good news, because there are plenty of good fishing opportunities to explore. River flows are ideal, reservoirs are fishing well, and the local ponds are turning on thanks to increased stocking and decreased weed growth. As you plan your upcoming trips, here are a few ideas to get you started:
Snake River (Bass)
This is one of my favorite times of year to fish for smallmouth on the Snake River. The water is clear, the weeds are manageable, and it’s a prime opportunity to catch big fish. I usually go with a two-pronged approach when targeting fall smallmouth—a soft plastic rig (drop shot, Ned rig, or weedless crayfish) on one rod and a hard-bodied retrieve lure (crankbait or jerk bait) on the other. Plastics usually catch numbers, but most of my big fish come on the hard baits. Crayfish, bluegill and perch patterns are usually what I reach for first. Fishing should remain really good as long as daytime temperatures stay above 70. Once we get a serious cool down, the bass bite will taper off.
C.J. Strike Reservoir (Mixed Bag)
Fishing has been good at C.J. Strike. For bass, the same strategies I mentioned for fishing the Snake River apply here. Panfish action has been pretty good between the dam and the Narrows. Look for schools of crappie and perch in 20 to 40 feet of water. Vertical jigging is usually the most efficient way to catch them, but you can also try trolling with Shad Raps and Flicker Shads. Some anglers like to troll until they find a good school, then anchor up and jig. Fall is a great time for trout fishing at C.J.— troll with crankbaits, spoons or pop gear, or try a worm and marshmallow combo from shore. Sturgeon fishing has been steady as well. There are always plenty of options at C.J. Strike! Note: The North Park campground and adjacent boat ramps are closed for renovations.
Big Wood River (Trout)
This is a sneaky good trout stream located a couple hours to our east, and fall is a beautiful time to fish it. The water is low, which is normal for this time of year, but I recently made a stop there and caught some beautiful wild rainbows. The Big Wood, which runs through the towns of Ketchum, Sun Valley, Belleview and Hailey, is also home to wild brown trout. It is very popular with fly anglers, but Rapalas and spinners will also catch fish where they are allowed (keep track of your location, as the regulations vary along the Big Wood). The river does get stocked with rainbows. I recommend keeping those and releasing wild fish, especially this time of year, as the browns are about to begin their spawning season.
Local Ponds (Mixed Bag)
It’s a great time to fish our local ponds. With cooler overnight temperatures, the weeds are dying off, and Idaho Fish & Game also ramps up its stocking efforts during the fall. To catch trout, I’ve always found Power Bait super effective. Worms, spinners, small crankbaits, and flies—especially leech and woolly worm types—should also get bit. Most ponds also hold bass and panfish. Ultralight jigs under a bobber are great for targeting bluegill and other pond panfishes. Bass might go for a spinnerbait, a crankbait or soft plastics. And the old worm-and-bobber setup might get eaten by just about anything. Best of all, these fisheries are nearby, convenient and great for fishing with kids. Tight lines!
Jordan Rodriguez has been fishing Idaho waters for 25 years. Share your fish stories, adventures and questions with him at tightlinesboise@gmail.com, or visit www.tightlines208.com for the latest local fishing reports and upcoming class offerings.
