08-05-2008, 11:10 AM
Steelhead
Catch and release steelhead season opened July 1 and the fishing is somewhere between fair and good. Most anglers are fishing at night with lighted lures. Green wigglers are working well right now. If you aren't a night owl, you could try fishing at dusk from the bank with a bobber and a red and black jig at a depth of about 13 feet. Steelhead Count for Bonneville and Lower Granite Dams.
Bass<br />
Bass fishing is okay. Try using bait, baited jigs, and crankbaits near rocky structures.
Sturgeon<br />
The sturgeon fishing is good and steady on the Snake above Lewiston with fish in the 4-6 ft range. Sturgeon anglers should practice low-impact techniques that include pinching hook barbs down, using circle-hooks instead of J-hooks and never remove sturgeon from the water. All sturgeon caught in Idaho must be released immediately.
Kokanee<br />
Kokanee fishing on Dworshak Reservoir is still really good with many anglers catching their limit. The fish have moved up the reservoir past Dent. Boat anglers are trolling slowly with weighted line or 1-3oz weights with standard spinner-gear with hooks baited with maggots, mealworms, or corn.
Trout<br />
The trout fishing is great in the local rivers and streams, including the Lochsa and the North Fork of the Clearwater. Dry flies, including adams and grasshoppers, are working right now.
Lowland Lakes<br />
Mann Lake near Lewiston, Winchester Lake near Winchester, Waha Lake and Soldiers Meadow Reservoir near Waha, Spring Valley Reservoir near Troy, Moose Creek Reservoir near Bovill, and Elk Creek Reservoir near Elk River all offer a variety of species including trout, catfish, bluegill, and bass. Most of these waters have been stocked with catchable rainbow trout and offer great places to take the family.
When fishing with kids, the first thing to remember is that you are the expert. Be positive, make it fun and remember: It's not just your fishing trip - it's their fishing tip too. Consider it as an investment with payoffs in the future. If you do it right, pay-back time will come years later when they take you fishing.
1. Check out our Clearwater Region Family Fishing Waters program [PDF, 630 KB], with family-oriented fishing opportunities and simplified rules.<br />
2. Anglers must have a valid 2008 license and are reminded to check the 2008 fishing rules brochure for any restrictions and limits.
Catch and release steelhead season opened July 1 and the fishing is somewhere between fair and good. Most anglers are fishing at night with lighted lures. Green wigglers are working well right now. If you aren't a night owl, you could try fishing at dusk from the bank with a bobber and a red and black jig at a depth of about 13 feet. Steelhead Count for Bonneville and Lower Granite Dams.
Bass<br />
Bass fishing is okay. Try using bait, baited jigs, and crankbaits near rocky structures.
Sturgeon<br />
The sturgeon fishing is good and steady on the Snake above Lewiston with fish in the 4-6 ft range. Sturgeon anglers should practice low-impact techniques that include pinching hook barbs down, using circle-hooks instead of J-hooks and never remove sturgeon from the water. All sturgeon caught in Idaho must be released immediately.
Kokanee<br />
Kokanee fishing on Dworshak Reservoir is still really good with many anglers catching their limit. The fish have moved up the reservoir past Dent. Boat anglers are trolling slowly with weighted line or 1-3oz weights with standard spinner-gear with hooks baited with maggots, mealworms, or corn.
Trout<br />
The trout fishing is great in the local rivers and streams, including the Lochsa and the North Fork of the Clearwater. Dry flies, including adams and grasshoppers, are working right now.
Lowland Lakes<br />
Mann Lake near Lewiston, Winchester Lake near Winchester, Waha Lake and Soldiers Meadow Reservoir near Waha, Spring Valley Reservoir near Troy, Moose Creek Reservoir near Bovill, and Elk Creek Reservoir near Elk River all offer a variety of species including trout, catfish, bluegill, and bass. Most of these waters have been stocked with catchable rainbow trout and offer great places to take the family.
When fishing with kids, the first thing to remember is that you are the expert. Be positive, make it fun and remember: It's not just your fishing trip - it's their fishing tip too. Consider it as an investment with payoffs in the future. If you do it right, pay-back time will come years later when they take you fishing.
1. Check out our Clearwater Region Family Fishing Waters program [PDF, 630 KB], with family-oriented fishing opportunities and simplified rules.<br />
2. Anglers must have a valid 2008 license and are reminded to check the 2008 fishing rules brochure for any restrictions and limits.